chalice with rainbow flame
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Essex County

THE CHURCH YEAR

Our church year traditionally begins on the first Sunday after Labor Day, with the Ingathering: a reunion in the church garden before the first worship service of the new year.

The first of two regular business meetings of the congregation occurs in October. The agenda of this meeting includes election of a nominating committee.

Our celebration of Thanksgiving includes the distribution of the "Guest At Your Table" boxes to raise funds for the work of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.

In December we often have a special service presented by the children of the church school. We hold a special Christmas candlelight service, usually on the Sunday before Christmas. The Sunday after Christmas is often a Quaker-style service.

Spring brings many special events: the Auction, the Easter service, the annual pledge canvass, and, in May, the annual congregational meeting.

The last service of the year, usually held on the first Sunday in June, is the traditional Flower Communion.