Join a Group

At Fellowship Dinners, you share a potluck meal with a small group of friendly UUs in someone’s home. Once a year you host a group. Single or paired, you are welcome at Fellowship Dinners.

Fellowship Dinners Sign Up (2023-24)

❖ When: October and November 2023, January through April 2024.

❖ What: You share a potluck meal with a small group of friendly UUs in someone’s home. Once a year you host a group. The perfect way to meet newcomers and old timers in small, convivial groups!

❖ How: The Fellowship Dinners coordinator sends a list of guests to the host, who contacts the guests, establishes a mutually agreed date for the meal, and prepares the main dish. The guests bring the rest of the dishes for the meal: appetizer, salad, vegetable, dessert, beverage, etc.

Be creative and carefree! The Fellowship Dinner can be a dinner, or it can be a breakfast, brunch, lunch, or picnic!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a gourmet cook?

You can join in Fellowship Dinners even if you bring a dish from the deli.

What if I am not part of a couple?

Single or paired, you are welcome at Fellowship Dinners.

What if my house and table are small?

Fellowship Dinners can be for as few as 4 guests. On your Registration Form note the number of guests you can accommodate. Some folks with small or distant homes might make arrangements to host in someone else’s (larger, closer) home – the coordinator can help match up with those of us who feel comfortable providing their home as a venue for those without a space to host the dinner. Anyone acting as a venue provider will then function as a guest. Finally, hosting is an enjoyable experience; however, you don’t have to host if you have limitations that cannot be overcome. Let the coordinator know that. When you are the host and are scheduling dinners, please remind couples that they should think of themselves as two units, not as a single unit when mapping out who will contribute what to the dinners.

Must I host?

Hosting UUs is an enjoyable experience; however, you don’t have to host if you have limitations that cannot be overcome. Let the coordinator know that.

Will I eat with the same people every month?

One of the great attractions of Fellowship Dinners is the chance to meet a different group of UUs every month.

What if I cannot participate every month?

When you register, mark the months you cannot participate.

How do I register?

Click here to sign up online! You can also pick up a paper form at the church and leave it in the office (Room 204).

May I still enroll later in the year?

Yes. Just send in the form as soon as you can.

Coordinator: Kathy Gilbert, fwpdinners@uubloomington.org

The Humanist Forum and the Freethinkers meet on alternate Sundays at 11:40 am in person at the church in Room 208, with an option to join via Zoom.

Humanist Forum

The forum explores human growth and the transcendent without supernaturalism. Forum Presenters are selected by group vote and present for 10-15 minutes to kick off our discussions. They do not (usually) lead the discussion. Topics include issues relating to morality and ethics, human development, evolution, the nature of the universe, love, the capacities of the brain, free will, the latest scientific research and discoveries. Humanists, agnostics, atheists, freethinkers, religious naturalists, interested theists, and anyone who wishes to attend are welcome.

See our current discussion topics / Join the group email list

Browse our archive of past discussion topics

UU Freethinkers

This group seeks conversations that foster an understanding of diverse views.  We usually accommodate 2 or 3 topics per meeting. It is the idea, not the messenger, which is explored in discussion.  The UU Freethinkers hope to learn how others form their opinions and to test these opinions with individual experiences and learning.

Related Links

UU Humanist Association

American Humanist Association – Humanist Manifesto III

Secular Humanism

This online book club reads books chosen by its members. Generally meets via Zoom on the first Monday of the month at 6:30 pm for about an hour.

JOIN THE GROUP to access the Zoom link and to get reminder emails about upcoming discussions!

Current Book:

December 4, 2023 at 6:30 pm

How Far the Light Reaches: A Life in Ten Sea Creatures by Sabrina Imbler

A queer, mixed race writer working in a largely white, male field, science and conservation journalist Sabrina Imbler has always been drawn to the mystery of life in the sea, and particularly to creatures living in hostile or remote environments. Each essay in their debut collection profiles one such creature. ... Imbler discovers that some of the most radical models of family, community, and care can be found in the sea, from gelatinous chains that are both individual organisms and colonies of clones to deep-sea crabs that have no need for the sun, nourished instead by the chemicals and heat throbbing from the core of the Earth. Exploring themes of adaptation, survival, sexuality, and care, and weaving the wonders of marine biology with stories of their own family, relationships, and coming of age, How Far the Light Reaches is a book that invites us to envision wilder, grander, and more abundant possibilities for the way we live. - Goodreads.com

This group meets Mondays from 12-1 p.m. in the Library, with an option to join online on Zoom.

Led by Leigh Grunhoefer and Susan Middlestadt.

Click here to Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 850 7990 8921
Passcode: 824751

Learn more about Shambhala Meditation

Brian Flaherty leads Tai Chi and Qigong practice here at our church Saturdays 9 to 10:30 a.m. and Mondays 2:15 to 3 p.m.

The practices are free of charge. Usually in Fellowship Hall, occasionally moved to the Library. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes. All are welcome.

Encourages companionship, conversation, church and community outreach. Brown bag lunches with guest speakers are held the first Thursday of the month at 11:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. All are welcome—men, women, and gender non-binary.

View and join this group on Church Center

Thursday, December 7, 2023

11:30 am – 1 pm

Christmas Tea

Hosted by Sharon Wiseman and Michele McCaffrey

Join us in Fellowship Hall or virtually by Zoom to celebrate the holidays!

Tea, scones and finger sandwiches will be provided, but feel free to bring scones or holiday treats to share. There will be entertainment as well.

All are welcome! An email reminder will be sent out prior to the meeting. Join this group if you wish to be added to the email list.

Upcoming in 2024

January 4

Earon Davis will talk about his new book on anti-Semitism.

February 1 and March 7

TBD

April 4

James Madison will talk about his recent book on the KKK.

The Women’s Alliance was founded in 1959 to manage the annual church Bazaar, build fellowship, and give service and financial support to the church and selected church and community projects, as voted upon by the membership.

The group is open to everyone, and meets the first Thursday of the month at 11:30 am in Fellowship Hall or via Zoom. In-person meetings begin with a brown bag lunch, and beverages and desserts are provided unless otherwise noted. The program starts at noon – with a presentation about a community organization or other interesting topic. This is followed by a brief discussion of Women’s Alliance business. Meetings end at 1 pm.

Annual membership dues are $25, which, along with funds raised from the Gourmet Galaxy during the Bazaar, enable the Alliance to provide year-end holiday gifts to church staff; provide contributions to each program presenter from a registered 501(c)(3) organization; and give support to other important projects and activities.