Brisbane Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

Sunday Services

When We Meet

BUUF meets on the First and Third Sundays of each month for Sunday Services. Services are generally one hour from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. We begin gathering at 9:45 a.m. and stay after the service for a social hour. There are many inexpensive local restaurants in West End and all are welcome to come to lunch and conversation in a nearby café afterwards.

We begin and end each year of our Sunday services with an informal social gathering:

Our first service of the year is held the first Sunday in February somewhere off-premises – usually at a nearby public park or a comfortable restaurant. This first meeting of the year is an occasion for everyone to catch up on what we did over holidays, do some planning for the coming year as well as an informal time to welcome newcomers.

Our last service of the year is the annual Christmas party, which is held at the home of one of the congregation members – generally the first Sunday of December. Everyone brings a plate to share. This last meeting of the year is a time to reflect on the year just coming to a close and to farewell one another until we meet again come next February.

Sundays that fall on a “fifth” week of a month are designated as social gathering days. On these Sundays, which occur about two or three times per year, we get together at a local park or other place of interest for “eating and meeting”.

We do not meet during the school holidays of December and January.

What We Do

Members of the congregation take turns leading the Sunday service. The service leader organizes the service including creating a bulletin, selecting music and giving the sermon or address (for a sample of our Order of Service see below). Only members who wish to lead a service do so. Other members are more comfortable participating in the choir, the children’s program or in business matters.

Twice a year we have a “Sharing Service” where individuals are invited to bring something meaningful to them to share with the wider congregation. Offerings usually include poetry, stories or songs.

At least once a year we like to have a “Service of Music”. During this service, the sermon is replaced with a selection of music pointing towards a common theme. Past themes have included “Celebration”, “Spring Music” and “World Music”.

Social Gathering/Informal Lunch

Because several of our members travel long distances (between one to three hours driving time) to attend our meetings and as we only meet fortnightly, we begin and end our services with a time for meeting and greeting each other, partaking of refreshments and generally catching up with old friends and getting to know new friends. We meet before the service beginning at 9.45 a.m. with a cuppa and immediately following the service with an informal lunch. Members bring plates to share (sandwiches, cheese and crackers, fruit, veggies or chips and dip, sweets, etc.) - there is always enough for everyone, including our visitors, to enjoy.

Music

We are currently without a formal choir instructor. However, choir members still meet for practice before the Sunday services as and when they can. The BUUF Secretary notifies the congregation via email when the choir will meet for practice. When in session, the choir often offers a choral composition or leads the congregation in a new hymn or song at the Sunday services. New voices or musicians (especially of portable instruments) are always warmly received.

Our Chalice

The chalice is a symbol common to Unitarian Universalist congregations throughout the world. To read the history of the chalice, click here.

The chalice used in the BUUF services was created by members and accomplished potters Christine Currie and Ian Currie. Ian formed the chalice and Christine fashioned the faces which adorn the stem of the chalice.

Order of Service

Prelude

Opening Words

Welcome & Sharing Joys and Concerns

Lighting the Chalice

Covenant: (unison)

Love is the doctrine of our church;

The quest of truth is its sacrament,

And service is its prayer.

To dwell together in peace,

To seek knowledge in freedom,

To serve humanity in fellowship,

To the end that all souls shall grow

In harmony with the divine -

Thus do we covenant with each other.

Time for All Ages

(Children Depart for Children’s Program with Adult Leader)

Announcements

Offering (2 envelopes: one for general + one for assistance with visiting minister at Annual Retreat)

Meditation

Readings

Sermon or Address

Discussion

Closing Words & Extinguishing the Chalice

Postlude