UUG members are active in many community organizations and activities, including those focusing on social justice and serving those who are marginalized. We can’t begin to list all of them here.

Here at UUG, our weekly worship services create community, and remind us to put Love at the center of all that we do.

Beyond worship, there are many meaningful activities and ways to serve. Community Events are listed on the UUG Calendar.

Aesthetics Committee

The Aesthetics Committee coordinates the overall ambiance and beauty of our historic Little Red Church. We:

• oversee seasonal and holiday decor.
• ensure that a cozy corner for friends who need less restrictive seating in the sanctuary is maintained and improved.
• arrange for First Friday Events and Artist talks.

If you have something you would like to place in the church please check with the committee chair.

Animal Ministry

The Animal Ministry is a group of concerned humans who work toward compassion for all beings. We are part of the Unitarian Universalist Animal Ministry (UUAM). For additional information, please check out the UUAM newsletter.

Among our activities, we maintain the little vegetable garden in the back of the church; organize pet food donations to local food pantries; distribute informational literature; promote ethical eating; and advocate for the humane treatment of all living beings. We seek to keep our human friends aware of the connection between animals, the environment and ourselves.

Book Club

The Book Club reads many genres of fiction, and nonfiction on a wide-ranging variety of topics.

We meet on the second Wednesday of each month from 3 to 4:30 PM, in the UUG sanctuary. We welcome all who are interested in meaningful and thought-provoking conversations.

Book titles and meetings are announced in “This Week at UUG,” our weekly email bulletin. The group facilitator also maintains a group email list.

Bruce Boenau UU Forum

The Forum is a discussion group that gathers downstairs every first and third Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m.

We explore a wide range of topics related to developing a liberal religious philosophy, and welcome all who are interested in meaningful and thought-provoking conversations.

Topics are announced in “This Week at UUG,” our weekly email bulletin. The group facilitator also maintains an email list for the group.

Although in-person discussions are better, the group does offer remote participation by Zoom. Reach out to the contact below to ask for the link.

The Forum is named for its founder Bruce Boenau (pronounced Bay-no), a gentle and compassionate man who was one of UUG’s founding members. May his memory be a blessing.

Caring Committee

The UUG Caring Committee exists to promote and enhance a family-like atmosphere within our UUG community.

Has any member of our UUG community become ill, disabled and/or homebound, lost a job or a family member?

Are members celebrating important milestones? A birthday, anniversary, graduation, marriage, or birth/adoption of a family member?

Does any one of us have a special short-term or even long-term need that the Caring Circle Committee can help with?

Some of the services we offer include personal phone calls or home visits, personal hospital visits, rides to medical appointments or UUG services and events, general moral support, and a listening ear during stressful times.

Choir

The choir is a collaborative group that enriches Sunday morning worship with music. While many of us are singers, others contribute by playing keyboard, guitar, or percussion. Though our main focus is vocal music, we warmly welcome instrumentalists interested in joining us.

Rehearsals are held most Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in the UUG sanctuary. You are welcome to join us.

If you’re not ready to commit to regular Wednesday rehearsals, consider joining us on a Sunday morning. We sing at two worship services most months, except during our summer break. You can try it out by meeting us at 9:45 a.m. on any of those Sundays as we rehearse to lead the congregation in hymn singing.

Creative Cluster

Are you interested in living your most authentic life? Removing creative roadblocks? Healing your inner artist? Come join our creative and welcoming-to-all community adventure held on certain Thursday evenings from 6-8.

This gathering was inspired by our adventure together through the Artist’s Way creativity course. We continue to show up because we want to play more, tickle our brains, build and maintain supportive relationships, and adventure into and through our own lives as our authentic selves.

We take turns leading discussions or sharing creative opportunities. We usually start our gatherings with a centering reading or meditation, and take turns leading discussions, experiences or activities.

We sometimes joke that we are a fake book club, because actually reading anything is not required. We like to use text as a compass, not as a road. We find our sessions are happier and more fulfilling when everyone feels welcome to show up, no matter where they are at creatively or with their reading.

If you have questions about the group or would like to use the on-site childcare, email us or call us at 717-334-2920.

Insight Meditation Community of Gettysburg

Insight Meditation Community of Gettysburg (IMCG) is a peer-guided spiritual sangha (community) offering a place of inspiration, refuge, and stability for the cultivation of mindfulness and compassion.

IMCG regards those who come and participate in sangha as sharing the commitment to help themselves and each other learn, practice, and serve the way of virtue, mindfulness, and wisdom.

The sangha meets via Zoom on Sundays from 6:30 to 7:30 PM, with a focus on Buddhist Insight Meditation (Vipassana, in the Theravada tradition).

Leaders are lay members of the community, visiting lay teachers, and monks.

The meeting usually includes a teaching, discussion, break, and guided or silent meditation.

We welcome you – whether you’re new to meditation, an experienced practitioner, or anywhere in between. We seek to promote inclusion and participation of people of diverse identities, including those of all races, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, gender, class, religion, political views, abilities, and ages, so that all may feel welcome, safe, and respected within this community.

Knitters & Stitchers

We consider ourselves a “knitting church” and friends and members frequently knit or crochet during worship services.

Join us after the service (noon) on the third Sunday of the month for knitting, crochet, needle craft, and fiber art amongst friends. Beginners welcomed.

Meatless Monday Potluck

This group meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 6 PM at the church. Everyone is encouraged to bring a plant-based whole food or dish. Silverware, plates, napkins, glasses and water are provided by UUG. If the fourth Monday falls during a holiday, or if bad weather is in the forecast, we will announce any cancellation or changes in date.

Please let the Meatless Monday Coordinator know if you would like to be added to or taken off her Meatless Monday email list. (The Meatless Monday emails do not typically go out to the entire congregation, although all are invited.)

Susquehanna Native American Flute Circle (SNAF)

This group of Native American Flute (NAF) and drum players has been meeting monthly here at UUG since 2018.

Whether you are a beginner, experienced NAF player, or just interested in this instrument–you are welcome.

Due to the long distances that many of our circle members drive, in 2024 we modified our meeting days and times to accommodate flute players who are not local to Adams County.

Third Friday Dine Out (TFDO)

On the third Friday each month, members and friends of UUG gather “dutch treat”  at a restaurant within driving distance of Gettysburg.

The restaurant, date, and time are announced in “This Week at UUG,” our weekly email bulletin. 

RSVPs are requested so that we have enough seats.