Worship is our shared spiritual practice of exploring, connecting to, and discovering the ways that our individual lives fit into a larger whole. it is an opportunity for connection beyond us and the possibility of transformation, it is a time for marking important transitions and rites of passage, and a time to hold up those things of ultimate worth, meaning, and value.
Not all UUs share the same beliefs or opinions, so our shared worship forms a vessel for us to find meaning together. By devoting ourselves to a regular time of encountering and engaging that which is greater, wiser, and more compassionate than our individual selves, we create opportunities for transformation and meaning-making.
That Unitarian Universalists gather on Sunday morning (rather than Friday or Saturday or any other day) is a remnant of our Christian heritage. And even though Unitarians broadened beyond Christianity in the last century, our services still resemble a Protestant liturgy in the elements if not the content.
In worship we sing together, we listen to each other, we hold silence together, we celebrate and mourn together, we welcome each other. We open ourselves up to the sacred and the holy within us, between us, and beyond us.
Worship is central to the life of any congregation. It also defines a congregation; by our Unitarian Universalist Association Bylaws, a congregation seeking to join the UUA must have done these things in the past year: held at least one business meeting of its members, elected its own officers, maintained adequate records of membership, made a financial contribution to the Association, and conducted regular religious services.
Worship services at OUUC are usually focused on a spiritual theme each month. We have explored a wide range of themes such as Transformation, Awe, Justice, Renewal, and Welcome. These themes unite our worship services, small group ministry, and religious education programs.
OUUC’s minister is given the responsibility and authority for all worship services and rites of passage including those that the minister is not planning or involved in. And, it takes many hands to create and offer meaningful, transformational worship. If you are interested in offering a service or joining the Worship Arts Team, please contact Rev. Mary.
