Each Sunday 10:30am – In person or Online
The heart of our church life is our Sunday morning services when we gather in our historic Meeting House to be together as a church family. “Worship” includes all the times that we gather together to explore and celebrate what we value most deeply. Sunday morning services are filled with music, stories, and thoughtful readings and reflections. Our sanctuary provides a sacred space where we can reconnect with ourselves and each other, challenge ourselves to think deeply about life’s big questions, accompany each other in joy and sorrow, and encourage each other’s spiritual growth, no matter what our age or life circumstances. You can join us in person or watch our live stream online.
What to Wear
Our church does not have a “dress code.” On any given Sunday you might see styles of dress ranging from “comfortable and casual” to a bit more “Sunday best.”
In order to accommodate as many people as possible, we are currently observing COVID precautions and wearing masks while in the Meeting House on Sunday mornings. Other events, including coffee hour are mask-optional.
A Typical Worship Service
Although our message topic varies greatly from week to week, the general format is usually similar.
The service opens with a welcome, announcements, and a formal beginning of the service indicated by the ritual of the lighting of our chalice and a recitation of our affirmation. We then share readings, hymns, and listen to the main sermon. After the sermon, we close the service with an offertory collection, sharing of Joys & Sorrows, and a benediction. Because we often have guest speakers, we practice Freedom of the Pulpit and only ask that speakers share a message in line with our principles.
Following service, everyone gathers in the social hall downstairs for coffee and conversation. Our playground is often full of children and families enjoying the weather and the company as well.
What are Joys & Sorrows?
Joys & Sorrows are one way UUs keep and practice holding one another in community during service. You may see the words “A Joy shared is a joy doubled, and a Sorrow shared is a burden lessened.” During this time, we ask the congregation to direct prayers, meditations, and energy to those sharing. At UUCF, you can share via text message or fill out a blue card in the pew for the service leader to read aloud, or you can come up to the microphone and share. This practice has shared elements from various faiths – you may find it similar to the Roman Catholics’ Prayers of the Faithful, or see it as a call back to our early Quaker roots in the Farmington area.
Coffee Hour
After our Sunday services everyone is welcome at our coffee hour in Adams Hall, which is our reception hall, directly below the meeting house. A Visitors’ Table, set up near the entrance to Adams Hall, is staffed by friendly people and stocked with pamphlets that offer more information about Unitarian Universalism and our congregation.
Special Services:
Multi-Generational Worship
Recognizing the need for children to worship within our larger community, these services occur at holidays and other special times during the year. Our young people attend these services in our Meeting House and sit with their families, rather than attend typical Religious Education Classes. We aim to have a Multi-gen service once per month.
Message for All Ages
As part of our community, children may attend the beginning of the regular worship service. By bringing the whole congregation together for the opening words, chalice lighting, and a special “Message For All Ages”, our young people feel a part of the larger congregation. Their participation in the chalice lighting and other UU rituals also helps to strengthen their identity as Unitarian Universalists. This happens several Sundays in a given month.
Discussion Groups
Occasionally throughout the year, we may have discussion groups in lieu of a traditional service. Often this occurs over holiday weekends or during the summer. Instead of a large group service, we meet in small groups to discuss various topics in community, sharing our personal experiences, ideas, and faith backgrounds with each other.
All Music Service
Each December, our choir and other musical guests celebrate the holiday season with carols and other performances. You can enjoy past All Music Services on our You Tube channel.