Traditions, Rituals, and Holidays

In-gathering and Water Communion – Each August we come together for the official start of the Congregational year. We bring water from our homes or beloved places far and near and offer them into a communal bowl to acknowledge our interconnectedness as a community and the interconnectedness of all of life.

National Coming Out Day and Pride Month - We celebrate our LGBTQ+ family throughout the year and take special time in both October and the month of June to lift up their lived experiences and unique voices.

Day of Remembrance - On the Sunday closest to November 1st we create a special alter and invite members and friends to bring photos and tokens of remembrance of their loved ones who have passed. During the service honoring those who have passed all are invited to participate in a ritual of remembrance.

Day of  Gratitude and Thanksgiving Feast - On the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving we offer a special "all-ages" service featuring our Emerson Story Troupe. Then, after our 2nd Hour activities, we join together for a traditional Thanksgiving Feast.

Winter Service(s) of Light and Heritage - On the Sunday closest to the Winter Solstice we create a special service to acknowledge the solstice. Depending on the dates of Hanukkah and Diwali we include these in this service (or create time to acknowledge them on a Sunday closest to the holiday). We also take time to honor Kwanzaa and African American heritage during the time between December 26 - Jan. 1st.

Lessons and Carols Christmas Eve Service and Cookie Fellowship- On Christmas Eve we gather for a beautiful, music filled service called: Lessons and Carols. We feature traditional Christmas songs and powerful lessons of inspiration from many sources. And, of course, we end by lighting candles as we sing Silent Night.  Afterward we join together with holiday cookies and fellowship.

Martin Luther King Jr. Sunday - Although we turn our focus to social and racial justice often,  we set aside the Sunday prior to MLK day for a special day of remembrance and action.

New Member Sundays - Several Sundays each year we welcome new members into our congregation. Together we share a ritual of mutual covenant during the worship service and afterward we celebrate with cake!

Easter Sunday and Flower Communion - As Unitarian Universalists our Easter celebrations focus on the rebirth of spring , the miracle of life and the awakening of hope in our everyday lives.  Everyone is invited to bring a flower to service on this day to help create a Nature alter. At the end of service, all are invited to take a different flower  - or bouquet of flowers to offer to someone not at the service. It is our way to acknowledge the impact we have on each other's lives and the blessings of spring renewal.  Then we celebrate with our annual Easter Egg Hunt and Muffin brunch!

Earth Day - We celebrate and acknowledge our interconnection to the earth each week and on the Sunday closest to Earth Day we lift up that connection with a special Earth focused service. We honor the gifts of the Earth and invite everyone to deepen their commitment to being good stewards of all natural elements great and small.

Founder's Day - The first Sunday of May we celebrate our Emerson community and it's founding with a family picnic complete with food and games

Labyrinth Sunday -  The first Saturday of May is National Labyrinth Day. We invite all to come to Emerson that day to walk an outdoor labyrinth and then on a Sunday close to that day we talk about the Labyrinth of life and invite all to walk an indoor labyrinth we set up in the sanctuary.

Mother's and Father's Days - Each year we enjoy finding different ways to honor the journey of motherhood and fatherhood inviting members to share their experiences and celebrating our children.

Voices of Emerson - Each July, while our minister is on leave, our pulpit is filled by members and friends of Emerson. This is a wonderful time to lift up a variety of voices, ideas and views.