Life is hard. At Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (MVUUF), we believe programming should meet people where they are, and offer tools for the journey. That’s why we – members and staff – work together to offer powerful programs that challenge the mind, care for the heart, and build Beloved Community. Join us anytime, for one of our program offerings, or at any one of our committee meetings. More information is below.
Don’t see a program offering that interests you? Talk with our Director of Membership, Meredith, about starting your own group! Email them today.
Activities
“A friend may be waiting behind a stranger’s face.“ ~Maya Angelou
Participating in fellowship activities is one of the ways we connect with one another, deepen our relationships, and find joy. Engaging in group activities can help us to learn more about the person “behind a stranger’s face,” fostering our sense of community and helping each of us to grow as human beings.
Some of our activities include:
- Holiday Dinners (Thanksgiving and Christmas)
- Coffee Hour (after Sunday service)
- Movie Nights
- Fiber Arts Group
- Adult Game Nights
- Smart Choices Lunch Group
- Additional Events: Hikes, Dinners, Teas, Drum Circles, etc.
Activities fall under the purview of our Membership Committee. Contact our Director of Membership, Meredith, to learn more!
Fiber Arts Group
CYRE’s Spring Break Movie Night
Adult Game Night
Children & Youth Religious Education
Children and youth in our Religious Education program explore Unitarian Universalist Values, learn about the world’s religions, nurture their own spirituality, engage in social justice, and affirm their place in Beloved Community. They do this by participating in these program offerings:
- Family Friendly Worship Space: this experiential worship space at the front of the sanctuary welcomes families every Sunday.
- Story for All Ages: the story is shared at the start of every service, so all may engage with the day’s worship topic.
- Children’s Programming: children in K-5th grade are invited to join their peers most Sundays, after the story, for exploration and discovery.
- Youth Group: Youth in 6th – 12th grade gather at the start of service, about three times a month, to wrestle with life’s big questions together.
- Worship for All Ages: about six Sundays a year, children, youth and adults worship together.
- Special Events: families participate in special events throughout the year, such as our Stuffed Animal Sleepover and Family Movie Night.
We invite you to see what we’re all about! Stop by on Sunday to meet our Director of Religious Education, Somaya Bernard, or contact her by email.
Youth Group for Middle & High SchoolWeekly
Children’s Program for K-5th GradersWeekly
CYRE Easter Egg Hunt
Adult Religious Education
MVUUF is a very active community. In addition to all-ages activities (like potlucks, movies, and game days), we offer a variety of groups and workshops for adults to deepen their connections with each other and continue their personal faith journey.
Below are a sample of our groups. See calendar offerings for event details:
- Chalice of the Willow (a Covenant of UU Pagans) meets onsite frequently for discussion and ritual.
- Sharing Stories Book Group meets online once a month to discuss new and interesting books.
- Scripture Study meets online weekly to discuss sacred tests from the world’s religions.
- The Women’s Group meets online weekly for discussion and deep sharing.
- Adult Religious Education Classes are offered regularly, both onsite and online, to explore a variety of interesting topics such as “UU History” and “Aging.”
Questions? Contact to our Director of Membership, Meredith.
Scripture StudyRepeating Event
Women’s GroupRepeating Event
CUUPS’ Ostara Ritual
Social Justice
“The one thing we need more than hope is action. Once we start to act, hope is everywhere. So instead of looking for hope, look for action. Then, and only then, hope will come.” ~ Greta Thunberg
Unitarian Universalists put their faith into action. We work as accomplices and affected alike to dismantle systems of oppression and harm. At MVUUF, much of this work is done through small groups, in partnership with outside organizations. These groups are:
- Immigration Reform – We participate in the Miami Valley Immigration Coalition which seeks radical immigration reform by working with and on behalf of those affected by our unjust immigration system.
- Transgender Liberation – We seek to make MVUUF more inclusive for transgender folx and work to fight transphobia in our schools and state laws.
- West Dayton Coalition – We have an on-going relationship with neighborhoods and organizations on the west side of Dayton, collaborating on infant mortality, early childhood education, food insecurity, and environmental justice.
In addition to supporting these groups, we also rally for community events and calls to action, showing up for Dayton’s MLK March, Dayton Pride, and Dayton Black Pride; we work to end injustice by sharing our collection plate and collaborating with organizations like UU Justice Ohio, and Miami Valley Votes; and we challenge systems of oppression within our own congregation through worship, workshops and relationships. If you want to learn more about our Social Justice work or committee contact our Social Justice rep, Tina.
Have a Gay Day Resource Fair
Gem City Action Transgender Day of Visibility
Social Justice CommitteeRepeating Event
Service Specific Programs
“This is the power of gathering: it inspires us, delightfully, to be more hopeful, more joyful, more thoughtful: in a word, more alive.“ – Alice Waters
The following programs are essential to MVUUF on Sunday. Many hold regular meetings, but none offer regular events outside the service.
Worship
The work of Worship is to make and hold the sacred space in our midst, and to treat our gathering together as a sacred act, giving reverence and holding close to the mystery that continues to bring us together. The work of the worship team is to fashion the space, the service, and the overall experience of worship. Worship team members serve as worship associates, pulpit supply, and sounding boards for our minister Rev. Kellie.
Currently, the worship team does not meet regularly. But, anyone wanting to learn more can contact Rev. Kellie.
Music
At MVUUF, instrumental music and congregational singing deepens our worship experience. Our songs range from traditional hymns to familiar tunes to contemporary songs. We are fortunate to have many talented volunteers who sing or play guitar, piano, and/or other instruments. However, all are welcome to join our music making, regardless of skill or experience.
The Music Committee meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7 PM over zoom. See event details for more information.
Production
Our production team members are like roadies, but better – they’re rockstars! They do everything, from creating the service slide show, to live streaming the worship, to hosting zoom participants, and running the sound booth! Thanks, in large part to our production team, our worship is fuller, richer, and able to reach more people.
The Production team meets the 1st Tuesday of the month at 7:30 PM over Zoom. See event details for more information.
Hospitality
Our hospitality team does onsite work behind the scenes on Sunday, so all may feel welcomed and cared for. There are our greeters – who welcome people to MVUUF – our ushers – who make sure everyone has what they need for worship – and our coffee hour volunteers – who ensure we have delicious refreshments for coffee hour after the service. Like activities, hospitality falls under the care of our Membership Committee.
The Membership Committee usually meets the 2nd Sunday of the month, after the service, in the conference room. See event details for more information.
“A welcoming, supportive community dedicated to spiritual growth and healing in the world.”
Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship