Frederick Covenant of UU Pagans

New Monthly Meetings for Earth-centered Spirituality

Our Earth-centered Spirituality Group meets on the 3rd Sunday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel. This time provides an opportunity to focus on the Sixth Source of Unitarian Universalism: "Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature."

We usually also gather to celebrate each of the eight holidays, or Sabbats, on the Wheel of the Year, which mark the seasons of the Sun -- the Solstices, Equinoxes, and points in between in European traditions. Through the eight Sabbats, many contemporary Pagans attune themselves to the creative forces of the Cosmos:

  • Samhain or Halloween (October 31) - This is the time of year the light noticeably fades. Pagans reflect on and review the past year and welcome the Celtic New Year. In this season, Pagans also honor death as a part of the sacred circle of life and remember those who have died.
  • Yule, the Winter Solstice (December 20-23) - This is the shortest day and longest night of the year. Pagans welcome the rebirth of the Sun with feasting, dancing, music and festivities. Decorations include wreaths, boughs of holly, mistletoe, evergreens, and lots of lights.
  • Imbolc or Candlemas (February 2) - This is the time to celebrate the growing daylight. Pagans celebrate with candles and fire to symbolize the renewing power of the Sun's illumination in Nature and new beginnings in ourselves.
  • Ostara the Spring Equinox (March 19-21) - On the first day of Spring, when day and night are balanced, Pagans honor that balance and seek it within while rejoicing in the stirrings of life in Nature. Beltane or May Day (May 1) This is the day for dancing around maypoles in honor of the fertility of the Earth made possible by the increased warmth of the Sun.
  • Litha the Summer Solstice (June 19-23) - On the longest day of the year, with the Sun at its highest point in the sky, Pagans rejoice in the Sun's life-giving warmth and ability to make things grow.
  • Lammas or Lughnasad (August 1) - This is the time of year when plants first start to drop their fruits or seeds. With the days growing shorter, Pagans celebrate the bounty of the Earth with the first harvests of grains.
  • Mabon the Autumn Equinox (September 21-24) - Again the days and nights are of equal length and Pagans acknowledge the balance. This inaugurates a season of preparation and the transition from the ease of summer to the colder tasks of winter.

We are in the process of applying to become a member of the national Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS), an organization dedicated to networking Pagan-identified Unitarian Universalists, educating people about Paganism, promoting interfaith dialogue, developing Pagan liturgies and theologies, and supporting Pagan-identified UU religious professionals.

Please visit our calendar page to confirm the time and date of future gatherings.

To be added to the email distribution list for CUUPs and Earth-centered Spirituality services, please send a request to .