Editing Unitarian Universalism (section)

===Services of worship===
[[File:UM 1.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|The [[First Unitarian Society of Madison|Unitarian Meeting House]] designed by [[Frank Lloyd Wright]], [[Shorewood Hills, Wisconsin]]]]
Religious services are usually held on Sundays and most closely resemble the form and format of Protestant worship in the Reformed tradition.<ref name="Sias"/> Services at a vast majority of congregations follow a structure that focuses on a sermon or presentation by a minister, a lay leader of the congregation, or an invited speaker.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.uua.org/worshipweb/commonworship/vogt.html
| title = Common Worship: How and Why; The contribution of Von Ogden Vogt
| access-date = 2007-02-24
| author = Commission on Common Worship
| year = 1983
| work = Leading Congregations in Worship: A Guide
| publisher = [[Unitarian Universalist Association]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070217132901/http://www.uua.org/worshipweb/commonworship/vogt.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-02-17}}</ref> Sermons may cover a wide range of topics. Since Unitarian Universalists do not recognize a particular text or set of texts as primary or inherently superior, inspiration can be found in many different religious or cultural texts as well as the personal experiences of the minister.

The service also includes hymn-singing, accompanied by organ, piano, or other available instruments, and possibly led by a song leader or choir. The most recent worship songbook published by the denomination, ''Singing the Journey''<ref>{{cite book|isbn=1-55896-499-1|title=Singing the Journey|year=2005}}</ref> contains 75 songs and is a supplement to the older ''Singing the Living Tradition'' which contains readings as well.<ref>{{cite book|isbn=1-55896-260-3|title=Singing the Living Tradition|year=1993|publisher=Beacon Press }}</ref> Hymns typically sung in Unitarian Universalist services come from a variety of sources—traditional [[hymn tune]]s with new or adapted lyrics, spirituals, folk songs from various cultures, or original compositions by Unitarian Universalist musicians are just a few. Instrumental music is also a common feature of the typical worship service, including preludes, offertory music, postludes, or music for contemplation.

Pastoral elements of the service may include a time for sharing Joys and Sorrows/Concerns, where individuals in the congregation are invited to [[Ceremonial use of lights|light a candle]] or say a few words about important events in their personal lives. Many also include a time of [[meditation]] or [[prayer]], led by the minister or service leader, both spoken and silent. Responsive readings and stories for children are also typical. Many congregations also allow for a time at the end of the service, called "talk back", where members of the congregation can respond to the sermon with their own insights and questions, or even disagree with the viewpoint expressed by the minister or invited speaker.

Many Unitarian Universalist congregations no longer observe the Christian sacraments of [[baptism]], [[Eucharist|communion]], or [[confirmation]], at least in their traditional forms or under their traditional names. Congregations that continue these practices under their more traditional names are often [[federated congregation|federated church]]es or members of the Council of Christian Churches within the Unitarian Universalist Association (CCCUUA), or may have active chapters associated with the [[Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship]] or similar covenant groups.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.liveoakuu.org/christian04.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108233643/http://www.liveoakuu.org/christian04.htm|title=Christians 2004|archive-date=January 8, 2009}}</ref> "Child dedications" often replace more traditional infant baptisms (such "dedications" are sometimes practiced even in "orthodox" Christian communities that do not baptize infants for theological reasons). Annual celebrations of [[Water Communion]] and [[Flower Communion]] may replace or supplement Christian-style communion (though many pluralist and Christian-oriented congregations may celebrate or otherwise make provisions for communion on Christian holy days).<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.westhartforduu.org/sermons/my_neighbor.html
| title = Who is My Neighbor? A Homily for World Wide Communion Sunday
| access-date = 2007-02-24
| author = Jan K. Nielsen
| date = October 6, 2002 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070311025551/http://www.westhartforduu.org/sermons/my_neighbor.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 2007-03-11}}</ref> Confirmation may be replaced by a "[[Coming of Age (Unitarian Universalism)|Coming of Age]]" program, in which teenagers explore their individual religious identity, often developing their own credo. After they have completed exploring their spiritual beliefs, they write a speech about it which they then personally deliver to the congregation.

Services can vary widely between congregations, and can incorporate dancing, contemporary music and poetry, readings taken from secular fiction or original works by congregants.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Religions of America: Ferment and Faith in an Age of Crisis: A New Guide and Almanac |date=1975 |publisher=Simon and Schuster |editor=Leo Rosten |isbn=0-671-21970-7 |location=New York |pages=268–269 |oclc=1093360}}</ref>