What to Expect in Worship
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 worship styles vary by congregation, and even within congregations. Our congregation’s worship aims at combining spirituality with questioning and learning, with music being a key element, giving beauty to our celebration and to our lives.
Elements of our Lakeshore Unitarian Universalist Sunday morning worship service include:
- Words of welcome
- Lighting a flaming chalice, the symbol of our faith
- Three songs with spiritual meaning, at the opening, the middle and the end of the celebration
- Children’s Time, where a story or activity engages the children and youth before they leave for their own Spiritual Explorations program
- Music, both instrumental and vocal and in a variety of styles
- About once a month the Lakeshore Community Choir performs at our service
- A time for expressing the joys and concerns of the congregation and lighting a candle in honour of joys and concerns, spoken and unspoken
- A meditation or prayer
- Readings—ancient or contemporary
- A 20-minute presentation given by a professional Unitarian Universalist minister, a guest speaker, or a member of the congregation
- An offering, collecting financial support for the work of the congregation.
From time to time, celebrations incorporate holiday celebrations, multigenerational plays, longer musical performances, and new member ceremonies. We offer childcare and learning programs for children and youth during the Sunday service.