We have both worship and social or congregational activities that are traditional at NUUC and occur every year.  Below you will find descriptions of what some of these traditions involve and mean.

You can see when these traditions occur during A Typical Year at NUUC.

Passover Seder

A ritual meal is held at the church in the evening to celebrate the freeing of the Jews from Egypt. A modern version of the traditional Seder, it presumes no knowledge of Hebrew and symbolizes the hope of spring's rebirth and the desire for freedom from all the forces that oppress us.

Flower Celebration

This is a tradition started by Norbert Capek, a Czech Unitarian in the 1930s. Congregants bring cut flowers to the service and add them to a large vase at the front of the sanctuary. This symbolizes the variety of gifts we bring to the community. During the service, children distribute the flowers so that everyone leaves with a flower brought by someone else.

Music Sunday

This is a Sunday service consisting primarily of live music from people within the congregation.  It also includes hymns sung by the entire congregation.

School Supplies service project

The congregation collects school supplies such as book bags, crayons, and paper for needy children in the Delaware and other nearby school districts.

In-gathering or Water Celebration

Congregants bring water from their travels during the summer. As each person describes their travel or events of significance, they pour their water into a large, communal container.

Crop Walk

As part of the Church World Service, congregants participate in a Saturday afternoon walk, the proceeds of which are used to feed people locally, nationally, and internationally.

Every Member Canvass

Members of the congregation are visited in their homes or meet as groups in other settings to register their concerns and hopes for the congregation. They also indicate the financial contribution they commit to making in the coming year.

Bread Celebration

Congregants bring bread, which is sliced, placed in baskets, and distributed to the congregation during the service. This symbolizes how we nourish each other.

Guest At Your Table service project

Congregants receive a box that can act as a piggybank.  During the weeks leading up to Christmas, family members put extra change into the box.  The congregation's total contribution is donated to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee that provides help to the needy in the US and around the world.

Holiday Family service project

A family in the local area is identified as having exceptional needs. The congregation buys toys, clothes, and other appropriate articles, gift wraps them, and distributes to them to the family who remains anonymous.