About Worship | Harrisonburg Unitarian Universalists

About Worship Services

Our Sunday worship services are dynamic gatherings with engaging messages, inspiring music, and the warmth of community.

Start Time

Worship Services begin at 10:30 am every Sunday and usually last one hour. Click here for our service and event calendar.

Hybrid Service

All services at HUU are hybrid. We livestream our services to facilitate an inclusive online and in-person worship experience. Using microphones and cameras, we project in-person and Zoom participants, speakers, and guests on televisions and online throughout the service. The purpose of our hybrid service is to maximize inclusion and access for all. To obtain the Zoom link, please contact us with your request.

Lay-Led Congregation

At Harrisonburg Unitarian Universalists, our services are lay-led. This means that most services are planned and led by members rather than a minister. Worship in a Unitarian Universalist church can vary from congregation to congregation. While large UU churches often have full-time ministers, many small congregations use a combination of lay-led services, guest speakers, and part-time ministers.

Our Worship Committee and Worship Associates coordinate all elements of the service, often in collaboration with visiting ministers and guest speakers. At this time, Harrisonburg Unitarian Universalists is undergoing an active search for a minister who will lead services at least twice per month.

Essential collaborators in our worship services include our Music Director, Technology Coordinator, and Director of Children's Religious Exploration. Together with the Worship Associates, our staff and volunteers coordinate all elements of the worship experience. Click here to learn more about our staff and leaders.

Families Welcome

Families are always welcome at HUU. You can learn more about our Children's Religious Exploration program, which offers age-appropriate activities for toddlers through middle school students. On most Sundays, school-aged children stay in service for the first 15 minutes then are sung out to class. Care for toddlers is offered beginning at 10:15 am until the conclusion of service. Occasionally, we offer a one-room-schoolhouse model when toddlers join older children for activities.

Several times per year, we offer all-ages services. On these Sundays, children and adults remain in service together, with intentional and engaging worship elements that are suitable for all ages and abilities.

Four Acts of Worship

We follow a carefully crafted order of service which follows four "acts":

Centering – Welcome and Grounding

The Worship Associate welcomes the congregation into our sacred time of worship. The prelude sets the tone for peaceful reflection and grounding. After the prelude, we light our chalice, which is a symbol of our faith. Usually, a special reading, poem, or reflection accompanies the chalice lighting.

Establishing Community – Connection and Sharing

Establishing community is an essential element of our services. Rather than focusing worship on reverence to any specific deity, the Unitarian Universalist tradition centers on our shared human experiences.

The congregation is first invited to sing a hymn from our hymnal, Singing the Living Tradition.

Following this, the Director of Children's Religious Exploration or other designated leader offers the Time for All Ages. This message reflects the theme of the service or a special topic that children will explore in their classes. After the children are sung to class, the Offertory provides an opportunity for members to give a financial contribution as we pass baskets.

The Offertory is a spiritual practice for many; sustaining the work of the congregation directly contributes to the positive outward practice of our values. Visitors are welcome to let the basket pass, since your presence is gift enough.

Sharing of Joys and Concerns is an opportunity for members and visitors alike to briefly share about their recent life experiences. One at a time, members approach the podium to speak one or two sentences about something in their life which has brought them joy or sorrow. Our greeters pass a handheld microphone to attendees who wish to remain seated. Before or after sharing, the speaker places a pebble into a bowl of water.

Declaring Possibilities – Sermon and Reflection

The last "act" of the service is the sermon, or message, and a time for reflection. Messages and sermons vary greatly, ranging in topics from spiritual themes to social issues. Messages are generally one of the following:

Guest speakers from nonprofit groups
Guest ministers from both Unitarian Universalist and other faith traditions
Members of HUU who share stories of their personal spiritual journeys

After the sermon or message, the congregation usually sings a closing hymn.

Dedication - Closure & Sending Forth

Another reading or brief reflection accompanies the extinguishing of the chalice, signifying the close of our worship. We then sing a final short hymn, the Community Sending Forth. As time allows, the congregation engages in community dialogue, a time for offering questions to the speaker or reflections on the message. Conversation continues after service during coffee hour.

If you would like to learn more about our Worship Services or contribute to worship, we invite you to contact us. Perhaps you have an idea for a service topic, a connection to a potential guest speaker, or a special request. We warmly welcome your feedback and ideas.

Members are welcome to join our roster of trained Worship Associates. Training is provided for Worship Associates annually. Those interested in volunteering to lead worship services may contact the Worship Committee.

Contact Worship Committee