Types of Traditions
Every church has its traditions. Because Unitarian Universalism is based in shared values and practices, over a single dogma, our annual services cover a broad range of UU traditions, holidays, and local history.
Unitarian Universalist & Congregation Life Traditions
Maple Syrup Ritual (February-March)
The Maple Syrup Ritual is a celebration of the coming of Spring and new life. This tradition comes from the Indigenous ceremonies surrounding Maple Syrup, particularly the Oneida people.
New Member Sunday (November & April)
We celebrate our New Members twice annually, in November and April.
SEE (Youth) Celebration (May)
SEE (Spiritual Exploration Experience) is our youth programming. At the end of the SEE program year, we celebrate our youth and all they have done during the year. We also celebrate the Coming of Age and Bridging Ceremonies at this service.
Flower Ceremony (June)
The Flower Ceremony has also been called Flower Communion, Festival, Ritual, and Celebration. No matter the name used, this service is a celebration of shared community and the search for the truth. Participants are asked to bring a flower or budding branch to the service to contribute to the communal flower arrangements. At the end of the service, participants take one of the flowers with them. This ritual was created by Norbert Capek of the Unitarian Church in Czechoslovakia in 1923 and brought to the US in 1940.
Water Celebration (September)
This tradition is originally called Water Ritual and Water Communion, and sometimes called Water Ceremony. The original Water Ritual was created in 1980 by Carolyn McDade and Lucile SSchuck Longview for the Women and Religion Continental Convocation of Unitarian Universalists. It is celebration of coming home, like river water returning to the sea. Participants are asked to bring a sample of water from a meaningful place they have been to. This water is combined in a single vessel, as we share the meaning of our travels. At the end of the service, participants are welcome to take a sample of water from the congregation’s vessel.
Social Justice Traditions
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (January)
We celebrate the memory and work of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. every year during our service. We also participate in the interfaith service hosted by Faith Linking in Action. This service focuses on MLK’s work on racial and economic justice, remembered through the Civil Rights Movement and Poor People’s Campaign.
PRIDE (June)
We do not have a single PRIDE service, but we celebrate throughout the month with some relevant sermons, guest speakers, and preparation for Bangor PRIDE Festival each year.
Charlie Howard Memorial Service (July)
Charlie Howard was tragically murdered on July 7, 1984 in Bangor. He had been a friend of the Independent Congregation (Unitarian church) and they were vocal advocates for justice after Charlie’s death. To remember his life, the important work he inspired, and remind ourselves that we must continue honoring his memory, UUSB has a memorial service every year, followed by a walk to the memorial site and a small service at Charlie’s memorial.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day (October)
UUSB is located on Wabanaki land and one of our goals is to honor the Wabanaki people’s stories. We often invite a member of the Wabanaki Alliance to speak or look at issues connected to tribal sovereignty on the weekend of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Faith Traditions
Imbolc (February)
Imbolc falls between the winter solstice and spring equinox. It celebrates Brigid and her connection to craft, hearth, and new birth. We celebrate the returning light, often through music-led services.
Easter (March-April)
We often celebrate Easter and its many facets as a renewal of life in the Spring and the way it intersects with many faiths and rituals throughout history.
Samhain (October-November)
Though it is listed here as Samhain, we celebrate the harvest and connection to our ancestors through many faith traditions. We aim to treat each with respect, so we do not celebrate a single one every single year. We have focused on Samhain, All Hallow’s Eve, Día de los Muertos, and others. We usually have some sort of ancestral altar and invite participants to bring a photo or item connected to the loved one they wish to remember in particular. We also usually have a more secular Halloween celebration for our youth either during the service or as a separate event.
Winter Solstice – Yule (December)
We celebrate the Winter Solstice with a singing ritual every year. This is a joint effort between the UUSB Choir and Women With Wings. In celebrating the longest night, we welcome the start of Winter and the return of the Sun.
Christmas (December)
We celebrate Christmas with a candlelight service on Christmas Eve. This service begins with a few beloved hymns. We celebrate hope, generosity, and many of the themes that Christmas brings to mind. On years that Christmas itself also falls on Sunday. we usually have a more casual service with singing and community, sometimes including a community breakfast.