We all need connection and belonging now more than ever. We yearn to be seen and loved for who we are. We also need fun, spiritual grounding, and purpose! UUCF offers numerous opportunities to grow, connect, and serve. Check out the current ways to connect and deepen below! Anyone age 16+ is welcome, unless otherwise stated.
This calendar list is followed by detailed descriptions of all the groups.
Spirituality
Beyond Sunday worship, UUCF offers several options for spiritual connection and deepening:
Soul Circles
Contact Diana Tycer for more information.
These small groups (6-8 participants) meet monthly (September-June) either in person or online for 1.5 to 2 hours and engage the monthly Soul Matters worship themes. Group members listen to each other, and to their deepest selves – leading them to greater loving and living, deeper transformation, spiritual connection, and often spiritual healing.
Women’s Ritual Council
Contact uucfwrc@gmail.com for more information.
The Women’s Ritual Council is an eclectic gathering of women with diverse beliefs who share the commonality of reverence for the divine feminine and a love of sharing their respective knowledge and beliefs with others. The group hosts regular full moon circles and earth-based rituals for the eight sabbats of the pagan Wheel of the Year, as well as gatherings ranging from single-day retreats to workshops and courses that have included the Cakes for the Queen of Heaven curriculum. Many of the rituals and public events are open to all genders. Newcomers are always welcome. Check the Events page for upcoming activities.
Support/connection
Young Adults – Meets occasionally for brunch after services
Contact Courtney Firth.
Young adults (roughly ages 18-35) are invited to join Assistant Director of Family Ministry Courtney Firth for lunch on UUCF! Carpool to an area restaurant, enjoy fellowship and get to know each other. Come as you are! See the Events page for details on upcoming events.
Souls at the Center – Support and connection for those in their 30s and 40s
Contact Libbie Ayers.
Group meets periodically in person. See the Events page for details.
Men’s Fellowship Group – Meets the first and third Wednesdays of each month, 7:30-9 p.m., Library and via Zoom
Contact Rick Hirschoff prior to attending your first meeting.
This group offers a space for members to meet regularly, spend time together, develop relationships and confidentially discuss issues they may be facing.
Music & arts
Music
Contact music@uucf.org.
UUCF’s music program has a variety of ensembles for any skill or interest level. Click here for more information.
Visual Arts Connection – Meets the third Wednesday of each month, 7:30-8:30 p.m., on Zoom.
Contact Rebecca Lieser for the meeting link.
Explore ways to engage the creative spirit. Bring ideas and photos of any art or art projects, or just share the time together! If you are interested in the visual arts, whether you consider yourself a visual artist or not, you are welcome.
Writing/poetry
Memoirs Writing Group – Meets the first and third Fridays of each month, 1:30 p.m. First Fridays in the Music& Arts Room and third Fridays via Zoom.
Contact Kristin Moyer.
The Memoirs Writing Group meets to encourage one another while sharing writing tips and the stories of their lives.
Poetry Club – Meets the second Sunday of each month, 4 p.m., via Zoom.
Contact Barb Dutchak for Zoom link.
Ever been mesmerized by a poem? Moved? Mystified but intrigued? If poetry “floats your boat,” join other poetry-prone UUCFers and friends to “ply the starry seas” at this monthly club. Together, participants give each other the gifts of verse and conversation as they explore poetry that delights, enlightens and transforms them.
Discussion
Ideas Forum – Meets the second Thursday of each month, 7-9 p.m., via Zoom. Drop-in discussion group; no registration required.
Contact Rama Kotra.
The primary purpose of the Ideas Forum is for participants to nurture the exchange and consideration of ideas, which can encompass the entirety of the experiences of UUCF members and friends. An ancillary purpose is to foster the strengthening of community. The Ideas Forum has the potential to exemplify the 4th Principle of Unitarian Universalism – a free and responsible search for truth and meaning – and may also kindle greater acceptance of one another and encourage spiritual growth – core components of the 3rd Principle. Recent Past Topics: The Bill of Obligations; Bucket List – Chuck It List; Coexistence; Liberalism and Illiberalism; God, Goddess, or Not (annual panel discussion); Attention; Our Biases.
Sharing the Small Things in Life group – Meets the first Tuesday of each month, 1-3 p.m., via Zoom, unless noted.
Contact Alex Machina for meeting link and more information.
The group has migrated from exploring the small things in life to much larger ideas, including exploring the idea of a larger consciousness in the universe through articles, essays, and personal experiences/reflections. The group is open to all.
Book groups
Monday night and Wednesday morning book groups meet once a month and are open to all. See times, locations and reading lists here.
Retreats
Fall Camping Retreat
Contact Meredith Carr or Director of Family Ministry Diana Tycer for more information.
Each year over Labor Day Weekend, UUCFers of all ages – families and individuals – gather at a designated group site for camping, hiking, games, campfires and fellowship. Click here to sign up to receive ongoing information on the upcoming retreat.
Women’s retreats
Contact uucfwrc@gmail.com for more information.
The UUCF Women’s Ritual Council sponsors periodic women’s retreats, usually during the fall and spring equinox. Check the Events page for the latest information on retreats and other Women’s Ritual Council events.
SUUSI (Southeast Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute)
SUUSI provides a 1-week experience every July evoking the best within us, in concert with Unitarian Universalist principles. Held on a college campus in North Carolina, SUUSI offers UUs of all ages the opportunity to share an intergenerational environment of love, personal freedom, ethics and joy in an intentional, non-judgmental community.