Life and times at UUCB
The first clause of our mission states that “We gather in
loving community.”And do we ever!
We are a busy, active, congregation that buzzes with activity all year long. No matter what the season, UUCB members can be found coming together in smaller and larger groups, to express and strengthen these bonds of loving community that are an integral part of our church. We have a healthy covenant group program which has been in place for about a decade, with six groups currently running and, we hope, more in the works. We’re hoping to make the program ever more robust, and give even more church members a chance to experience the spiritual gift of a covenant group. Covenant groups follow a variety of formats according to the interests, needs and schedules of each individual group’s members, but all facilitators are trained, supported and supervised by our minister at a monthly facilitators’ meeting. Covenant groups explore spiritual topics, plan service projects, and support one another through life’s challenges. The UUCB Women’s Society is a 150-year-old church institution that is open for membership to all UUCB women and men. This popular group hosts a monthly luncheon, with speakers who are leaders in our community; they address a number of topics of societal, ecumenical or political interest. Additionally, the Society organizes two outings each year: The Shaw Festival at Niagara-on-the-Lake in Ontario, Canada and one other to a local site of interest to our membership. The group sponsors fundraising efforts throughout the year, such as its Election Day bake sale, the annual Book Sale, and through donations for Memorial Service receptions. Proceeds from Women’s Society events have allowed the group to fund a number of projects to improve the church and its environs, most recently repairing and refurbishing the church pew cushions and replacing carpeting in the sanctuary. The UUCB Choir is rightly held in high esteem here at our church and beyond our doors. In addition to beautiful music, the choir offers fellowship and artistic growth to those who choose to lift their voices within its ranks. The Choir also sponsors a major fundraiser dinner in the spring, with a gourmet menu, fabulous musical entertainments, and unique ambiance. Recent themes for the choir dinner have included A Night in Casablanca, Mardi Gras, and an Olde English Feast. |
For those whose interests take other paths, we also have a recently-formed play reading group who has performed staged-reading benefits for UUCB, a folk dancing group for all ages which meets here every week, a music appreciation class that covers everything from Bach to Jazz, and a recently formed, but very promising, Youth Group band. The UUCB 20s and 30s group was formed to connect young adults through service, discussion, and fun; they have planned and carried out a number of community service projects since their inception. For a number of years we held a monthly Friday potluck and open mike night, which was well-attended by young families and many others; though it has been discontinued in recent years, there are plans afoot to resurrect these popular First Friday dinners.
Throughout the year, we have a number of events that bring together the entire UUCB community. Souper Sunday is a monthly Faith Development fundraiser with a huge turnout: members of all ages stay for lunch after the worship service to enjoy a bowl of soup and one another’s good company. Music Sunday (described under Music) is a festive, twice-yearly event that is relished by the entire congregation. A number of members have chosen, of late, to celebrate their birthdays here at UUCB, hiring a band and inviting fellow congregants to join them in a festive, yet casual, ritual of social fellowship. The yearly Fun & Fellowship Auction is a diverting event that raises both funds and community spirit, resulting in numerous social gatherings in UUCB homes and elsewhere, as congregants get to know one another better and strengthen their ties to the community at large. While many aspects of church life are on hiatus during the summer, the social and cultural beat goes on. Unique sermons and presentations by church members allow us to get to know one another better, while yearly community events such as the Buffalo Pride Parade allow us to affirm our commitment to stand on the side of love. The Elmwood Festival of the Arts is a huge community festival late in the summer, of which we are a small but enthusiastic part, offering tours of our beautiful sanctuary and a craft bazaar within our parish hall each year. The holiday season brings with it a number of popular events here for those who choose to celebrate Solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah, or other traditions. (Note: In our approach to the Christmas season, we at UUCB attempt to balance our faith’s Judeo-Christian heritage with the more diverse and universal understandings of our current era. Nonetheless, the format of our holiday celebration tends to be traditional, even if the message it carries is a more universal one. Thus our holiday events tend to be based in a Christian mythology but are open to all.) Our advent spiral is becoming a well-loved yearly happening, creating an ambiance of magic and wonder in the parish hall with simple but stunning effects. December continues with what is usually a holiday-themed Music Sunday service early in December, and a holiday craft bazaar featuring gifts for sale by local artisans. As Christmas approaches, our church glows with excitement as we host a number of gatherings, including a Christmas vespers service, impromptu nativity pageant, and potluck at which Santa normally makes an appearance. For many, our candlelight Christmas Eve service is the highlight of the year; it includes beautiful lighting, stunning seasonal music by the choir and organist, and a midnight reception for all attendees. Though it seems the church calendar is bursting at the seams, there is always room for more congregational life! We hope that we will continue to keep the best of our traditions as we seek to grow in faith and fellowship, and find new ways to celebrate the gift of our loving community. |