About Worship
We gather together in a religious community to be reminded of matters most in life. Worship at UUFEC is open and welcoming. We aspire to make Sunday morning services meaningful to people of many faith-perspectives and life stories. Children join the entire congregation at the beginning of each service, reminding us that spiritual growth is a lifelong process and children are an integral part of our community.
For us, religion is something to be lived, with a quest for justice and feelings of compassion. It’s not about rituals or creeds. Our Worship Services are weekly reflections weave together our thoughts and experiences with music, and words that both comfort and challenge. Our programs for all ages inspire us, and awaken us to our capacities to make a difference in our own lives and in the world.
We are inspired by the diverse and spirited Unitarian Universalists with whom we journey, as well as wisdom received from diverse religious sources.
Elements of a Sunday morning worship service at UUFEC usually include:
Words of welcome
Lighting a flaming chalice, the symbol of our faith
A “story for all ages,” or some other multigenerational segment
Music, both instrumental and hymns in a variety of styles (read more about our Unitarian Universalist hymnals)
A time for lifting up the joys and concerns of the congregation
Readings—ancient or contemporary
A sermon (or “message”) given by a professional minister, a guest speaker, or a member of the congregation
An offering, collecting financial donations. Each week, we share our collection with a community organization.
Closing words
From time to time, our services incorporate holiday celebrations, multigenerational plays, longer musical performances, and congregational engagement child dedications, and coming-of-age ceremonies.
We offer childcare and a Religious Exploration (“RE”) program for our children during the Sunday service. After the service folks are invited to join together in for fellowship around the snack table at the rear of the Sanctuary Learn more the RE program and our “second hour” adult religious exploration groups here.