Church Life newsletter - Social Activities

The Foreword - Our Monthly Newsletter
(Part Two:  Social - listing all social activities, group meetings, volunteer projects and community outreach; or visit our entire  monthly newsletter)

Welcome to Sunday Worship!

Our Sunday church services are 10:30am.

PAIDEIA FORUM - Sunday mornings 9:00-10:00 in the Emerson Room

Coffee & bagels available for a small charge.
All are welcome
Please spread the word. Bring a friend!

May 12 - Last Month’s Joint District Assembly in Niagara Falls. We will gather to share our impressions and discuss what we have learned. Please participate whether or not you yourself went to D.A.

May 19 - "The Case for Transit" by Doug Funke. Doug, who used to chair our Social Justice/Economic Concerns committee for many years, is the President of Citizens for Regional Transit, a local non-profit citizen's advocacy organization.  His talk addresses the arguments for extending Buffalo's light rail.

June 2 - Jewish History Through Archaeological Artifacts. Experience the excitement of holding in your hands actual 4,000 year-old artifacts highlighting the history of the Jewish people  from the days of Abraham through the Second Revolt Against Rome.  Rabbi Irwin A. Tanenbaum, spiritual leader of Congregation Shir Shalom, will share with us antiquities from his personal collection. 

Volunteers make things run smoothly on Sunday mornings!

Transportation: There are several people we know of, and this list will probably grow, that need rides to church on Sundays and perhaps to other church activities. We would like to form a list of people who are able to provide rides. If our list of drivers is big enough, no one will have to worry about finding an alternate when they are not available. If you would like to be added to the list of committee volunteers and/or have questions, please contact Suzanne Christ, chair of the Caring for One Another Committee.

Childcare is provided on Sundays as well as Religious Education for youth.

Greeters: Greeting in the lobby is easy and fun. Just arrive between 10 and 10:15am on Sunday morning; Smile, Shake Hands and Be Friendly; Answer Questions or Refer people to the proper source. At 10:30 or so, you can head into the service, so you won't miss a thing.
   We especially encourage whole families to sign up, especially on special Sundays like holidays. It's a great way for generations to get to know each other. I'll have a sign-up sheet on the front desk in the lobby for the following month. – Anne Hibbert

Welcoming People with Disabilities: Learn about promoting equality and access for UU's with disabilities. Visit the website – www.equualaccess.org.

The Committee on Ministry would like to make our congregation aware that several members have allergies to perfumes/colognes. As a welcoming congregation, we would like to see our members make a conscientious effort to avoid wearing scents at church and church functions so our allergic members can worship and enjoy programs with their fellow congregants. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Ushers: Elaine Cusker, Ria and Hinni Martens and Bob Wack will join me again this year as ushers on Sunday mornings. We'll be putting the inserts into the Order of Service, handing them out to you as you enter the Chapel, and passing the plate at the collection. As if that wasn't enough to keep us busy, we also count and record attendance and contributions. We are often assisted by unsuspecting volunteers who we corral as they walk in the door! - Dennis Bihl

The Art Wall:  Please share your creative endeavors with the U.U. congregation by displaying them on or in front of the Art Wall. Simply sign up on the sheet next to the Art Wall. If you have any questions or would like some assistance in displaying your masterpieces, please contact Cindy Baumgartner.

Adult Choir:  Rehearsal continues on Thursdays at 7:15 pm. We have room for more choir members, please come and join us! The choir meets Thursday evenings and most Sunday mornings. - Marie Zak, Music Director

Coffee Committee:  There's a kitchen veteran on hand Sunday mornings to lead set-up and preparation, but additional volunteers are appreciated for each week (9:45am until start of service, then Noon to 12:30pm). Sign up on the clipboard in the Emerson Room after the service, or contact Marie Evans (636-5770, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). Donations of baked goods or snacks always appreciated!

Welcoming Circle:   Do you want to help out, but never seem to be able to get to church early enough to be a greeter or coffee hour host? Your Membership Committee is looking for a few friendly people to help meet & greet newcomers after the service. Please see Hella Jacob to volunteer.

Member Services
     I hope that everyone will find our church a place for inspiration, inquiry, discovery, reflection, understanding, sharing, and creative expression. If I don’t know you yet, please say hello and introduce yourself — I am looking forward to getting to know all of you! Please read on for more news about programming as well as some simple requests. 

  If you are looking to join a committee, Membership always welcomes new committee members interested in helping others find warmth, friendship, and ways of becoming a part of our church and its many activities. Please let me know if this is something you are interested in, and I’d be happy to tell you more about what we do.  –Hella Jacob, Director of Member Services ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Name Tags
Did you notice the Name Tag Boards have been moved from the chapel into the foyer? Hopefully you will find their new location convenient and will remember to wear your name-tag when you’re at church! Yes, even if you think everyone knows you — first time visitors won’t know your name, and even for the rest of us, it is such a great help! Name tags build community. Thank you :-)
Move on up
Have you noticed how the front pews often remain empty while it is getting crowded in the back? If you arrive early and have been with us for a while, please consider moving up a few pews. Newer people will naturally feel less conspicuous in the back, while they’re getting to know us and our worship customs.

UU World
Thank you for donating your old issues of UU World, so that we can give them as reading material to new visitors who do not yet have their own subscriptions. Please bring any old issues to the first coat-room or put them in my mailbox.

Mini-Orientations for Newcomers Some Sundays 11:45-12:15 PM. Are you relatively new here and just trying to figure out what we’re all about? I’ll be showing a twelve-minute DVD with an overview of Unitarian Universalist history, theology, worship experience, religious education, social justice, and inclusiveness. I will also be happy to answer any questions you may have and give you a tour of our building. We will meet in the “Living Room” (the room near the stairs).

Unitarian Universalism 101 – A Message to Visitors, Newcomers & Fellow Explorers:
   If you have come to feel that this church may be the place for you, please plan to join us in a UU 101 class, which takes place every few months or so. UU 101 is a 4-hour program that is part of our Path to Membership. It is intended to help you decide if our church may be the right spiritual home for you, and if the answer is Yes, to give you some useful information on how to participate in church life. All are welcome; childcare can be provided for those who need it. We offer this program several times throughout the year.

   I invite you to learn more about our faith and our congregation by attending our "New UU" sessions with Rev. Len De Roche and myself. New UU consists of three 2-hour workshops, which together form part of our Path to Membership. Join us to ask questions, tell us about your search for truth and meaning that brought you here, and find out if UUCA may be the right spiritual home for you. Ideally, participants will attend three workshops in a row, but please feel free to take them one at a time, in any order, as they fit into your schedule. The classes will meet in the comfort of the Living Room in the old “mansion”. Please let me know what times work well for you and will try to schedule to meet your needs in the future. All are welcome; childcare can be provided for those who need it.

New UU I: “Tell Your Story”. What has brought you here? We all have a story to tell, and a history with faith communities. Build new and lasting friendships with your fellow searchers. It will be a wonderful adventure where you can ask those burning questions and find new pathways to growth—spiritually, emotionally and socially.
New UU II: “UU History & Theology”. Learn how contemporary Unitarian Universalism grew out of ancient roots and how a Christian sect became a modern, liberal inter-faith spirituality. What are our most important symbols and traditions? We will also talk about our congregation’s history.
New UU III: “Getting Involved”. Come and explore our church governance. What does it mean that we are a ‘free church’, and how are we connected to other UU congregations? What are the rights and responsibilities of membership in a UU congregation? Who decides what in our church? Meet some of our lay leaders and find out how you can get involved in making “church happen” and shaping our future.

If you'd also like to attend, please let me know! (phone 903-7508 or email  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). ~ Hella Jacob

Join us on Facebook! Why?
* It's easy and fun!
* To get the word out about our Nurturing Community of Diverse Beliefs, especially to younger people. 
* To see our Wall, Info, Discussions, Photos, Video, and Events. 

* To keep in contact with everyone throughout the week.

How?
1.) If you don’t have one already, create a Facebook account. Go to www.facebook.com. To sign up for facebook, you’ll need an email address and a password.
2.) Join our Group. Search (at the top of the News Feed page) for “Unitarian Universalist Church of Amherst,” or click on the link above.

 Church Staff

Our staff includes:

Chair, Board of Trustees:  Barbara Gauger Kent ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Acting Director of Religious Education:  Victoria Crago ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Caretaker:  Amanda Free

Church Website Volunteers / contact:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it