Special Holidays and Events

Here’s a listing of some of the holidays and events we celebrate throughout the year. Check the Events Calendar or Worships Descriptions page for specific date(s) and time(s)

January

New Year’s Service – first Sunday of the year

This is a multicolored graphic from the UUA: Our lives begin to end the day we become SILENT about things that MATTER; PARAPHRASED FROM Martin Luther King Jr.; UUA.ORG/WORSHIP.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Martin Luther King Jr Sunday

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February

Black History Month

Colorful Black History Month graphic with patterns and raised hands

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

National Black HIV/AIDs Awareness Day – February 7

March

Women’s History Month

Silhouette of a woman's head filled with illustrated portraits, alongside text celebrating Women’s History Month.

 

 

 

April

Flower Communion Sunday (sometimes happens in May) – Please bring a flower from your yard, a store, the roadside, or elsewhere to share in our lovely yearly ritual. For the Flower Communion, everyone brings a flower. Some people bring extra. All the flowers are gathered together and blessed. The flowers are a symbol for the congregation: Each one is unique, and all have a place in one big beautiful bouquet.

Earth Day Buy Nothing Event – No donation is required to participate – take what you need, leave what you don’t.

Earth Day Service – Our 7th principle recognizes our part in the “interdependent web of life.”

Lesbian Visibility Day on the 26th

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May

Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month

Mother’s Day

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia on the 17th

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June

Pride Month

Bridging Service – We honor our graduating high school seniors, thank them for all they have brought to our community as they grew up amongst us, and bless them as they move into the next chapter of their lives. This sweet tradition honors the transition from childhood to young adulthood. Our young people receive a blessing and walk from one side of the sanctuary with our children and youth to the welcoming arms of our young adults. We may even get to hear a reflection of their time growing up in our community, if we’re lucky!

Congregational Annual Meeting

Pulse Night of Remembrance on the 12th

Father’s Day

Juneteenth

Stonewall Riots Anniversary on the 28th

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July

Disability Pride Month

Church open for worship only, all meetings off site

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August

 

September

Hispanic American Heritage Month

 

Water Communion Service – Bring a bit of water from a place that is important to you to share in the commingled waters of the community. For water communion, people bring small amounts of water they have collected. One at a time, everyone pours their water into one huge bowl which is placed in the front of the sanctuary. Sometimes waters are poured in silently; sometimes people tell where their water came from.

Homecoming Picnic

Richmond Pride Festival

Celebrate Bisexuality Day on the 23rd

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October

Global Diversity Awareness Month

LGBT History Month

National Coming Out Day on the 11th

Intersex Awareness Day on the 26th

Gallery at FirstUU logo with colorful paint strokes in the background; Gallery at First UU above Fine Arts and Crafts since 1966, all in black letters

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Gallery at First UU

 

UU The Vote

 

This is a graphic with a yellow-candle flame against a black background; in white letters: TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day of Remembrance Service – In honoring the traditions from many cultures around the world, Dia de los Muertos, All Saints Day, and Samhain, we will be honoring those people we have lost over the past year and anyone in the past that we’re still remembering.

November

Native American Heritage Month

Veteran’s Day

Transgender Day of Remembrance on the 20th

Thanksgiving Potluck – Sunday before Thanksgiving

Black Friday Buy Nothing Event – No donation is required to participate – take what you need, leave what you don’t. This is such a great way to practice ways outside of capitalism. Drop off items that no longer serve you and take home some that might!

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December

World AIDS Day on the 1st

December 24 – Christmas Eve Carols, Lessons, and Cookies

KWANZAA – last Sunday in December

This is a HAPPY KWANZAA graphic against a green and yellow background