Worship at PUUC

Our Sunday services are lively occasions that include music, caring rituals, social justice, intellectual and spiritual readings, and a sermon. While most of our services have common elements, we have recurring special services that celebrate seasonal transitions, life events, or special congregational talents. Our services regularly draw from many spiritual and religious traditions to help us celebrate a broad spectrum of beliefs. We offer these beliefs as part of worship in ways that can help us experience the beauty, spirit, and heart of traditions different from our own. Our Sundays services are at 10:15 am September through the third week of June.

 

ACCESSIBILITY

Our meetinghouse is wheelchair accessible. Enter through the ramped entrance at the rear of the building to the elevator to access the sanctuary and Parish hall. We have a wheelchair-accessible restroom downstairs. 

SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR WORSHIP

Periodically these protocols will be reviewed in the context of current rates of infection and needs for Covid precautions.

 

PUUC COVID PROTOCOLS (September 2023)

The Governing Board has voted to make masks optional as the congregational year begins. This policy will continue to be reviewed at least monthly and may be revised if Covid rates increase. However, attendees are welcome to mask, and anyone who feels unwell is asked to attend worship and meetings online. This policy applies to worship, coffee hour and all meetings and events at PUUC.

Everyone using PUUC buildings is reminded to use all air exchange and ventilation options available in the sanctuary and meeting spaces, i.e. air filters, fans, windows and doors.

PUUC continues to respect social distancing and encourages vaccination against the Covid virus.

PUUC WORSHIP IN THE SANCTUARY

Worship leaders will wear or not wear masks when they are speaking according to their own personal preference.

The microphone will be sanitized between speakers during the joys and sorrows part of worship.

Seating in the balcony is available for anyone who is uncomfortable with open seating in the downstairs sections of the sanctuary.

PUUC COFFEE HOUR IN THE PARISH HALL 

Those who are uncomfortable with drinking and socializing unmasked indoors are welcome to wear a mask and/or to socialize in the hallways, downstairs dining room or outdoors.

PUUC SMALL GROUP MEETINGS

Groups may choose to mask if all attendees are in agreement.  

PUUC PUBLIC EVENTS IN THE SANCTUARY

Hosts have the option to require masks at their event.  

RENTERS AND OUTSIDE GROUPS USING THE PUUC BUILDING

Groups may determine their own Covid protocols.

 

Common Elements of Regular Sunday Worship

Welcome & announcements
Minister’s welcome
Prelude
Chalice lighting
Opening words
Unison affirmation
Two to three hymns during service
Candles of joys and concerns
Minister’s prayer
Hymn #123 Spirit of Life
Time with children
Candle for social justice
Offering and offertory (choir sings every other Sunday)
One to two reading(s)
Musical interlude
Sermon
Extinguish the candles
Benediction
Postlude

Special services held annually

Special services are held throughout the year, such as the Water and Flower Communions at the beginning and end of the church year, intergenerational services such as the Winter Pageant, as well as Music Sunday and our annual outdoor service.

Lay-led Services

Lay-led services are a part of our shared ministry, and are created by the Worship Committee. The services include diverse areas of focus that are presented by congregants and by a variety of guest ministers/speakers.

In addition to creating collaborative, creative lay-led worship, we provide welcome and hospitality to ministers who come to PUUC via pulpit exchange with our minister as well as those seeking a neutral pulpit. When needed, we also support the minister in the preparation and delivery of regular, minister-led Sunday worship. The committee seeks and welcomes feedback and suggestions regarding all Sunday worship services.