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Unitarian Universalists of BelgiumWhat is NewIn the Months of January, February and MarchNEW YEAR'S DAY—Sunday closest to January 1. An opportunity to celebrate the beginning of a new year, review our priorities. Themes can include reflection upon the year that has just passed; hope for the promise of the year to come; resolutions to change; review of our carbon footprint; the passage of time; hope; expectation; dreaming of a creating a better tomorrow.
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. SUNDAY—the Sunday before the MLK holiday, in mid-January. Themes include: King—his life and activities; the civil rights movement; anti-racism; non-violence; social change; activism; ethic of love. SCOUT SUNDAY—first Sunday in February. A part of the worship service in which members of the congregation who are in the Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts are recognized and honored. St. Valentine's Day The theme of Love: How do we define love. The will to extend one's self for the purpose of nurturing one's own or another's spiritual growth. BLACK HISTORY—usually in February, for Black History Month; or in March, as James Reeb was killed on 3/9/65 and Whitney Young died on 3/11/71. This service is an opportunity for many congregations to address social justice, racial justice, white privilege, racial identity. Whitney Young (1921-1971) was an African American UU who was executive director of the National Urban League and an activist in the civil rights movement. James Reeb (1927-1965) was a white UU minister who was killed in Selma, Alabama, while supporting the civil rights movement there.
JUSTICE SUNDAY—Each spring, in conjunction with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, UU congregations nationwide stand together, and set aside one Sunday for worship and education focused on one pressing human rights issue.
YOUTH SUNDAY—variable. This service is often led by the youth of the congregation (adolescent age). They may plan it with their youth adviser, and/or with the minister or worship coordinator. Themes of the service vary from year to year.
SPRING MEMBERSHIP SUNDAY —variable. This is a service to honor the people who have recently become members of the congregation. Some congregations hold this service twice a year; others once. This service often invites those who have recently "signed the book" to come before the congregation with the minister or worship leader for a special ritual of joining. The new members might share a responsive reading with the congregation or recite a bond of fellowship or covenant together. The focus on membership might be a small part of the overall worship service. Or, the theme of membership might pervade the entire service with the recognition of new members being a piece of that.
SPRING EQUINOX – usually March 21. Spring themes, including: lengthening of the days; nature coming to life again; joy; hopefulness; reawakening to ourselves after a long winter.
PASSOVER SEDER—variable. Passover Dates:
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