Arrival

Sunday services start at 11:00am. Some members dress casually; others get dressed up. Wear what seems comfortable to you. Upon entering the church, visitors will be welcomed by a greeter and invited to sign the guest book.

Welcome And Announcements

Prior to the beginning of the service, the President of the Board of Trustees or another Board member may make several announcements. Visitors will be invited to stand, as they are comfortable, so that we can greet them and invite them to join us for refreshments and conversation following the service.

The Prelude

The first notes of the music we hear in the prelude are our cues to turn our hearts toward the service. Quiet talking ends as we settle into our seats and give our attention to what is being played and/or sung to nurture our souls.

Call To Worship/Chalice Lighting

The minister or a member of the congregation begins the Worship Service by reading a short statement to open the service. After the Call to Worship, the chalice is lit to mark the gathering of the community and to remind us of the divine spark within all. The chalice is the symbol of our Unitarian Universalist tradition.

Opening Hymn And Unison Reading

We sing a hymn, which is typically related to the theme of the service. After the singing of the hymn we recite in unison our covenant, which was written by James Vila Blake, a 19th century Unitarian minister and poet. Since our congregation may consist of theists, humanists, or those whose personal beliefs defy a simple theological viewpoint, our covenant reminds us to support each other with love and with service in our individual quests for Truth and Enlightenment.

Time For All Ages

We value all the young people who are part of our congregation, and we welcome their opportunity to worship with us. Most weeks, we take time at the beginning of the service to engage them in a story, song or other activity relevant to the theme of the service. At the end the intergenerational sharing, we sing the round "Go Now in Peace" as they leave for their age-specific religious education programs.

Sharing Of Joys, Sorrows and Transitions

As the young people leave for their programs, teens and adults who remain have the opportunity to light candles regarding persons or things that are important to them. These "candles of joys, sorrows and transitions," as we call them, are short heartfelt statements, either spoken or in silence, which represent a wide array of matters: perhaps remembering a deceased loved one; announcing an engagement or the birth of a child; remembering those who may be suffering from illnesses; or showing solidarity with people in other walks of life. Whatever the content, the intention is to allow time for members and friends to share what's in their hearts with others in this, our beloved community. This sharing is followed by a moment of quiet meditation and prayer.

Spirit Of Life

We sing the hymn "Spirit of Life," which is sung in many Unitarian Universalist churches and has become almost an anthem of our faith. This hymn is a simple, humble, and beautiful song that reminds us of our common commitment to justice. It lifts our spirits as it calls forth all that is good and strong in us. And it speaks to our shared path as humans on this planet -- together growing roots and wings.

The Offertory

UU St. Pete is sustained primarily through the generous annual pledges of its members and friends. If UU St. Pete is your spiritual home and you have not yet pledged, please contact the church office (727-898-3294) for assistance, or visit our Pledging 101 page for more information.

Reading And Sermon

Our minister or lay leader may read a short poem, an extract from a larger prose work, or perhaps lyrics to a melody. The reading is a key to the sermon which follows. Prior to the sermon, we observe a period of silence to reflect upon the reading.

Closing Hymn And Benediction

Following the sermon, we sing our final hymn, which typically is related to the theme of the service. Following the hymn, we join hands during the reading of the benediction. We join hands as a way of offering our warmth to one another, reminding us of our first Unitarian Universalist principle, in which we affirm and promote the "inherent worth and dignity of every person" -- including ourselves.

The Postlude

We return to our seats at the end of the service to give ourselves the gift of wonderful music once more as we make our transition from the worship hour back into "ordinary time." The postlude is an excellent opportunity to reflect on the blessings of being in this place at this time.

Friendship/Coffee Hour

As important as anything that happens in the Sunday Service is the opportunity to make new friends and connect with older ones, building the bonds of our community. This mostly happens in Gilmour Hall, which is the name of the room adjacent to the Sanctuary. We encourage visitors especially to stay afterwards so that we can get to know each other, and we can answer any questions you may have about our faith, our church, or our community.