Unitarian worship

Worship

An inclusive approach

Banner parade at the Unitarian General Assembly annual meeting 2003 ©

Unitarians are unconvinced by ideas of God as an all-powerful Being who demands praise and obedience in return for the promise of individual salvation.

Although worship of God may be a focus of collective worship, this is carried out in an inclusive spirit in such a way that a wide range of understandings of 'God' - real and metaphorical - can be accommodated.

Equally, the focus of the service may be simply the celebration of life itself, providing opportunities for an expression of the human sense of wonder.

Each congregation can devise its own form of service, so there is a wide variety. In general, Unitarian services lack liturgy and ritual, but do contain readings from many sources, sermons, prayers, silences, and hymns and songs.

Unitarian worship will tend to use gender-inclusive language, as well as language and concepts drawn from a wide range of religious and philosophical traditions.