Special Unitarian Universalist Services
Each Unitarian Universalist Church is different, with its own rythmn of special seasons and ceremonies. Here at First Unitarian Church of Omaha, there are a few traditions that we treasure in addition to our diverse theological and philosophical presentation of services crafted throughout the year.
Water Ingathering (Early Fall)
The Water Ceremony, was first used at a Unitarian Universalist (UU) worship service in the 1980s. We hold a Water Ceremony once a year, often at the beginning of the new church year (September).
Members bring to the service a small amount of water from a place that is special to them. During the appointed time in the service, people one by one pour their water together into a large bowl. As the water is added, the person who brought it tells why this water is special to them. The combined water is symbolic of our shared faith coming from many different sources. It is often then blessed by the congregation, and sometimes is later boiled and used as the congregation's "holy water" in child dedication ceremonies and similar events.
Remembrance Ceremony (Halloween)
Our remembrance ritual invites those who wish to participate to tie a ribbon to a wreath, honoring and connecting with loved ones who have passed. The wreath’s circular shape symbolizes eternity and continuity, representing the enduring memory of those we cherish. Each ribbon serves as a personal tribute, creating a tangible link to the individual being remembered. This tradition offers a space for reflection, connection, and the comfort of shared memory.
Procession of Gifts (December)
Each December, the Procession of Gifts invites the congregation to bring forward donations for local charities. This tradition symbolizes our shared commitment to generosity and service, offering tangible support to those in need during the holiday season. Through this act of giving, we celebrate compassion, community, and the spirit of the season.
Christmas Eve
Our remembrance ritual invites those who wish to participate to tie a ribbon to a wreath, honoring and connecting with loved ones who have passed. The wreath’s circular shape symbolizes eternity and continuity, representing the enduring memory of those we cherish. Each ribbon serves as a personal tribute, creating a tangible link to the individual being remembered. This tradition offers a space for reflection, connection, and the comfort of shared memory.
Burning Bowl (January)
The Burning Bowl ceremony marks the New Year with a ritual of release and renewal. Participants are invited to write down thoughts, habits, or burdens they wish to let go of, then place the paper in the flames as a symbolic act of cleansing. This reflective tradition offers a powerful opportunity to begin the year with intention, clarity, and a lighter spirit.
Stewardship (March)
Stewardship is our annual celebration of commitment and community, where we reflect on the values that sustain our congregation and pledge our support for the year ahead. Through generosity of time, talent, and treasure, we ensure that our shared spiritual home continues to thrive and grow. Stewardship is not just about giving—it’s about belonging, investing in our future, and living our values together..
Easter (April)
Easter in our Unitarian Universalist tradition is a celebration of renewal, hope, and the promise of new beginnings. While rooted in diverse spiritual sources, this service honors the return of spring, the resilience of life, and the enduring power of transformation. Through story, song, and reflection, we affirm that even after darkness, light and growth emerge again.
Youth Service (April or May)
Youth Services celebrate the voices, creativity, and leadership of our young people. These special Sundays are shaped by our youth—through music, reflections, storytelling, and ritual—offering fresh perspectives and heartfelt insights. Rooted in Unitarian Universalist values, Youth Services affirm the importance of intergenerational community and remind us that wisdom and inspiration can come at any age.
Flower Communion (Early Summer)
The Flower Communion usually takes place in the spring near the time of Easter. In this ceremony, members of the congregation are asked beforehand to bring a flower to the Sunday service. Upon entering the sanctuary, each person places his or her flower on the altar or in a shared vase. At the end of the service, each person brings home a flower other than the one that he or she brought.
Reginald Zottoli wrote "The significance of the flower communion is that as no two flowers are alike, so no two people are alike, yet each has a contribution to make. Together the different flowers form a beautiful bouquet. Our common bouquet would not be the same without the unique addition of each individual flower, and thus it is with our church community: it would not be the same without each and every one of us. Thus this service is a statement of our community."
The Flower communion service was originally created in 1923 by Unitarian minister Norbert Capek, who founded the Unitarian Church in Czechoslovakia. The service was later brought to the United States by his wife, Maya.
Choir Service (May)
Our Choir Service is a joyful celebration of music’s power to inspire, heal, and connect. Led by our talented choir, this special service weaves together song, story, and reflection to explore the spiritual dimensions of sound and community. Through harmonies both uplifting and contemplative, we honor the shared experience of making music and the deep resonance it brings to our Unitarian Universalist values.
Child Dedications (As Needed)
Rather than holding Christian-style baptisms, we have child dedication ceremonies for infants, young adopted children, or young children whose families have recently joined the congregation.
Child dedication ceremonies are usually crafted by the parents and the congregation's minister working closely together. Many will include the following elements:
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A blessing for the new life of the child
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An expression of the parent or parents’ hopes for the child
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A promise by the congregation to support and nurture the child in its spiritual life
Adults are not required to be or become baptized when joining the Unitarian Universalist faith. To learn more about Unitarian Universalist beliefs, please visit Are My Beliefs Welcome?
Coming of Age (As Needed in May)
Unitarian Universalist teenagers usually join their congregations with a special "Coming of Age" ceremony. We typically have this during Mother's Day or Father's Day. This ceremony is preceded by a year-long curriculum helping them to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and articulate their own beliefs. The Coming of Age ceremony features the youth reading their statements of personal belief (credo statements) to the congregation.