About our services
We gather in worship to find meaning and live more deeply. Worship creates connections within, among, and beyond us, calling us to our better selves, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion. Unitarian Universalist service styles vary by congregation, and even within congregations. Some congregations’ worship is contemporary and high tech. Some congregations’ worship is traditional and formal. Some features exuberant music, some includes long periods of silent reflection.Some have seasonal evening worship services led by Jewish, Christian, or Pagan members of the congregation.
Elements of a typical NUUF Sunday worship service can include:
Words of welcome
Lighting a flaming chalice, the symbol of our faith
Music, both instrumental and vocal and in a variety of styles
A time for sharing the joys and concerns of the congregation
Readings—ancient or contemporary
A sermon given by a professional minister, a guest speaker, or a member of the congregation
Rituals that help us be fully present with each other and in our lives, and connect to the rhythms of nature
Storytelling, prompts for discussion or artistic expression
An offering, collecting financial donations for the congregation or for justice work in the community.
Previous service themes :
November 2023 - My gender is not important - on gender, fluidity and questioning the binary, by Hjalmar Rosing
October 2023 - (De)composing our world, decompose and rearrange - an autumnal druidic ritual to let things go, led by Taco Ijzerman
September 2023 - Composing oUUr World: Turning Towards Action - how to apply our UU values practically, led by the Worship Committee
June 2023 - Sowing Seeds of Growth - a sharing seeds ritual to celebrate and reflect on this year’s growth, led by Lawrence Ramsey
May 2023 - The Empowering Psychosynthesis Journey, a map to navigate human experience, led by Emily Perry
April 2023 - Not For Sale - Helping victims of human trafficking through skills training, led by guest speaker Toos Heemskerk from Not For Sale Foundation
March 2023 - Change is gonna come ? On the process of revising UU Bylaws, led by Rev. Derek Suchard and Eva Kortekaas
February 2023 - A Musical Service, led by the Worship Committee
January 2023 - Between Joshua and Augustine: The religious tension of the soldier, led by Rev. Derek Suchard
December 2022 - Surrounded by darkness, enfolded in light - a storytelling service, led by the Worship Committee
November 2022 - Samhain, a druidic ritual, led by Taco Ijzerman
October 2022 - Drawing from the Well : Sources for our Search for Truth and Meaning, led by Eva Kortekaas
September 2022 - Living in Interesting Times, led by Lawrence Ramsey
June 2022 - Reflections, led by Lawrence Ramsey
May 2022 - Beltane/Mayday Celebration, led by Cindy Briggs and Christina Tomlow from the NUUF Women’s Group
April 2022 - Flower Communion for a Blossoming Community, led by the Worship Committee
March 2022 - I Want to Break Free : on Gender, Power and Acceptance, led by Ellie Lagarde
February 2022 - Freedom of Speech, Political Correctness and Self-Censorship - a talk on power structures, humor and inclusivity, led by Hjalmar Rosing
January 2022 - What’s my motivation ? Why Should I do good ? led by Rev. Derek Suchard
December 2021 - Gather Around the Fire : Tales for a Winter’s Night, led by the Worship Committee
November 2021 - Samhain Celebration, led by Taco Ijzerman
October 2021 - Building a Stronger and Safer Community, led by the Worship Committee
September 2021 - Community : Many Voices, One Song, led by the Worship Committee
June 2021 - On the Threshold, led by Matt Gilsenan from UU Basel (online service)
May 2021 - Yoga and Self-Care, led by Christina Tomlow + Discussion “Can Direct Democracy Save Democracy ?” (online)
April 2021 - Rebirth, Reincarnation, Renewal - the Equinox, led by Claire Fitzpatrick (online service)
March 2021 - Analytical Theology: When Religion gets in the way, led by Ariel M. Sirocco + Discussion with UUF Brussels “Faith within the Low Countries: largely secular and pragmatic?" (online)
February 2021 - “Searching for Pearls: Exploring Sacred Texts”, led by Eva Kortekaas (online)
January 2021 - “Life is Good,” a life story, led by Norman Coleman
…and much more !
