UUFA Members and Friends

The Joan Lynch Memorial Bell in front of our building

We are a diverse community of caring individuals who come together to provide an environment that nurtures and educates our children, stimulates the study and practice of ethical and liberal religious thought, supports the creative spirit in us all, and demonstrates concern for the environment and the broader community. UUFA Mission Statement

Our Members and Friends

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames (UUFA) has more than 300 members, with a wide variety of religious backgrounds and philosophies. We welcome anyone interested in joining our including

• Single people, couples, and all kinds of families
• Children, college students, adults, seniors
• Members of all ethnic groups
• Heterosexual, bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgendered individuals, their partners, and friends
• Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Wiccans, humanists, atheists, and many others

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames is a Welcoming Congregation. The Welcoming Congregation Program is a voluntary program for congregations, consisting of a series of workshops developed by the UUA. The goal of the workshops is to reduce prejudice by increasing understanding and acceptance among people of different sexual orientations.
See pictures of the wedding of Mark Kassis and Terry Lowman on September 2, 2007.

Sunday Services

Inspiration, intellectual stimulation, and fellowship are the cornerstones of our services. Readings and sermons draw from a variety of sources, including the world's religions and the humanities. Services offer a sense of fellowship through membership participation, singing, and dialogue.

Our minister, the Rev. Dr. Brian Eslinger, generally leads three services each month; members lead the fourth.

Most of the year, services are held at 9 and 11am on Sunday mornings. The sermon topic is the same for both services. The hour between services allows time for socializing. Starting Memorial Day weekend and running through Labor Day weekend, only one service is held at 10am. Check the Sunday service schedule for details.

Children and Youth

We nurture and educate our children via

• Infant and toddler care during services and special events
• Religious education classes (preschool through high school)
• Youth Groups (middle school and high school)
• Coming-of-Age program for teenagers
• A curriculum that covers UU history beliefs, world religions, Judeo-Christian heritage, peace and justice, and the interdependent web of life
• Support for each child in his or her individual spiritual growth; no single theology is promoted
• Youth outings and social groups

Infant and toddler care (up to age 3) is always provided during services, including during summer. Religious education for older children is available at one of the two Sunday morning services or both, depending on the age group, from September to May. During the summer, activities for older children may also be provided during Sunday service.

Check out the RE web pages, or contact our Director of Religious Education (292-5960) for more information.

Campus Group

A Campus Group open to all students who attend area post-secondary institutions meets regularly after the 11am Sunday service. Contact the UUFA office or Lori Allen for more information.

Activities

A wide variety of activities are available to interested members, such as

• Adult religious education
• Women's groups
• Book discussion groups
• Choir, children's music, and folk music group
• Social action group
• Fundraising for local, national and international causes
• Small potlucks in peoples' homes
• Providing Tuesday night meals for the Emergency Residence Project (the Ames homeless shelter)

(not to mention all the individuals and committees that keep our finances straight, maintain the grounds, repair the building, set up chairs for Sunday services, etc.).

Take a look at the groups web page for more information on many of these activities.

Pastoral Care

Our minister, the Rev. Dr. Brian Eslinger, is available for consultation about pastoral and spiritual concerns. Our Caring Network also helps members in times of crisis or need.