Tips for UU Worship—A Succinct Message

This is one in a series of postings about how to lead an effective Unitarian Universalist worship service. I’m working on a handbook for UU’s, and would like to get feedback on these tips.

Every worship service should have a central message that is clear and worthwhile. A good message can be stated in one or two sentences. For example: “Global Warming is a serious problem facing our environment today. As Unitarian Universalists, we must work together to stop global warming.” Another example: “Our first principle, the affirmation and promotion of the inherent worth and dignity of every person, calls us to protect children.”

For people who think in more abstract terms, a central image or metaphor could be helpful. One particularly moving worship that I attended, on the winter solstice, used images of light and dark. The worship space itself was darkened and then re-lit with candles over the course of the evening.  

Once the worship leader has chosen a central message, it is easier for him or her to decide which readings, songs and other worship elements complement this message. By contrast, when the worship leader cannot define his or her central message, then the service can feel vague and disjointed.