Worship
Sunday services start at 10:30 a.m.
Sunday morning worship is one moment in the week when we gather together as a loving, supportive community. It is often a transformative moment, reminding us of our connections to each other and to all of life. Ours is a diverse community---we come together with differing beliefs, and yet our worship service provides a focal point to all, and consistent inspiration for our lives.
Our worship services
Although Unitarian worship services tend to be less liturgical and ritual-based than those of many traditional churches, our services do contain some common elements that move the gathered community through an hour-long experience of centering, reflecting and returning. These common elements are:
Gathering Time Music: A time to enter quietly into the spirit of community in preparation for worship.
Welcome and Announcements: Welcome, and information about the church's ongoing life and events.
Opening Words or Invocation: A poetic start to the service, and naming our purpose in gathering.
Chalice Lighting: Lighting of the chalice flame, the most widely used Unitarian Universalist symbol. While its origins are varied, it has come to symbolize the flame of religious freedom and the cup of love and acceptance for all. It calls the community together and signals our readiness to begin worship.
Hymn Singing: A joyous form of spiritual expression! Blending our voices together reminds us that we are not alone. We sing to awaken our spiritual life and energy, and to praise creation.
Story for All Ages: Our stories are for everyone. They allow children, youth, and adults alike to explore the morning's message from another point of view. After the story, we "sing the children out" as they leave for further exploration in our Religious Education Program.
Meditation: With music, words, then brief silence, congregants participate in a time of quiet reflection.
Readings: Chosen to highlight a question, thought, or idea that is further explored in the sermon.
Musical Selections: Hymns and other song genres are, for many, the emotional heart of the service, speaking to our deepest needs and longings, expressing our most sublime hopes and dreams. Our worship features a great diversity of musical styles and selections, many of them offered by volunteers. .jpg)
Sermon: The sermon is designed to be the inspirational centrepiece of the service, blending elements from music, story, song, readings and prayer into one coherent message. For many Unitarians, the sermon helps to put “life through the fire of thought.” (Unitarian minister and essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson). At its best, the sermon is the core element in the transformative experience the service creates.
Offertory: All Unitarian Universalist congregations are self-supporting. The ministries, programs, worship and outreach of the congregation depend upon the tangible contributions of its members and friends. Supporters of the church’s vision transform their gifts into ministry by the act of giving. Through pledging, many members contribute monthly or yearly---but the weekly collection is an important act of generosity on the part of all who attend.
Closing Words: A reminder to live the coming days in the spirit of our Unitarian Universalist faith with truth, service, justice, acceptance, and love as our touchstones.
You are invited! Every Sunday morning friendly greeters meet everyone at the door, extending a special warm welcome to visitors. Services begin promptly at 10:30 a.m. Everyone is welcome.
An often- asked question is; "What do I wear to a Universalsit Unitarian service?" The answer is; It's your choice. Some people like to dress casually in jeans, while others enjoy the opportunity to wear more formal clothing. Don't sweat it, just come and visit.
We encourage a scent-free environment for the health and comfort of all. Please limit use of perfumes and other scented products. Be sure to stay for coffee and fellowship after the service. "Welcomers" (church volunteers wearing pink-coloured name tags) will be happy to answer your questions about any specific or general aspect of our church.