Services offered both in-person and online

We‌‌ are‌ ‌one‌‌ people‌ ‌of‌‌ many‌‌ beliefs,‌‌ many‌‌ origins,‌‌ sexualities,‌‌ and‌‌ genders.‌‌ We‌‌ are‌‌ all‌‌ growing,‌‌ all‌‌ learning,‌‌ all‌‌ loved.‌ ‌Just‌‌ as‌‌ you‌‌ are,‌‌ you‌‌ are‌‌ welcome‌‌ here.

We gather together in spiritual community because we need constant reminders of what matters most in life. In a world of heartbreak and dehumanization, our congregations and communities call us to our better selves. We learn to live with more wisdom, more connection, and more compassion.

Our worship services are weekly reflections that weave together our own thoughts and experiences with music, beauty, poetry, and words that both comfort and challenge. They are designed to awaken us to our capacities to make a difference in our own lives and in the world. We are inspired not just by religious sources but by those whom with share the journey.

In addition to services led by Reverend Christian Schmidt, a variety of ordained guests take our pulpit. Lay led services are an important part of our worship as well. Be sure to visit us more than once to see what our worship is all about.

Please join us on Sunday morning at 10:30 AM for our regular weekly Service, offered both in person and on Zoom. For those attending in person, masks are optional and provided if needed. The link to the online service is posted to our mailing list each Sunday. If you are not on our mailing list, please email uugettysburg@gmail.com to receive the Zoom link for our virtual service.

Visit THIS LINK to find suggestions for other UU congregations holding online services if UUG is “on break” for the day.

Please email uugettysburg@gmail.com to receive the Zoom link for our virtual service.

What to Expect

Visitors are always welcome at UUG! Sunday morning worship begins at 10:30 AM both in person and online. The service generally lasts an hour, sometimes a bit longer… Attending is a good way to begin to get to know our congregation, our minister and other leadership, and to learn something about Unitarian Universalism. If you arrive 10-15 minutes prior to the beginning of the service there will be time to meet a Membership Committee representative who can show you the ropes. We hope that you also will stay after the service for more conversation or our monthly potluck (held the second Sunday of each month).

At UUG, we are interested in YOU, not your clothes. Some of us choose to dress up for Sunday mornings. Others come in jeans or shorts (depending upon the weather). Just be yourself!

During the service, a Worship Assistant will lighting a chalice to symbolize entering into worship as a beloved community. A flaming chalice is the primary symbol of the Unitarian Universalist faith tradition. Learn more about it HERE

Music

Music is an important part of worship at UUG. The congregation enjoys singing hymns and secular music while also exploring online music recorded and more widely used during the “before times” in lockdown for Covid. Our choir has returned on limited Sundays and we so enjoy hearing the voices lifted in song! We also bring in guest musicians from time to time. If you are interested in providing your musical talents, please contact the Worship Committee Co-Chairs at uugworshipteam@gmail.com

Safe Passage is a song we sing at the end of every Sunday service. It is a time that all in the beloved community are invited to stand in a circle and either hold hands or link arms and sing a farewell blessing to one another. During the pandemic, when our services were Zoom exclusive, UUG engaged Lea Morris to produce a virtual choral performance of Safe Passage. CLICK HERE for a link to our recording.

A Note About Parking

The parking lot surrounding the church is owned by another organization. UUG has two designated “church parking” spots located at the rear of the building, which are open for anyone to use. Handicapped parking spaces are available at the top of the lot, closest to the church’s front door.

Since most other spots are rented by the lot owner, please avoid parking in spaces marked with a “24/7” sign. All other spots in the lot are available for use on Sundays during worship services.

Additionally, on-street parking in front of the church is free until 1:00 PM, after which meters must be paid.

A Note About Accessibility

The main entrance at the front of the church is fully handicapped accessible. The sanctuary, kitchen, church office, and a restroom are all located on the same level for ease of access. While the lower level of the church offers additional rooms for small groups, we regret that there is no elevator.

The sanctuary is equipped with air conditioning and heating as needed and is a smoke-free environment. If you require audio assistance during the service, we suggest bringing a cell phone with headphones or earbuds. Our technology team can connect you to the Zoom service, allowing you to enjoy amplified sound. Additionally, our online Zoom services feature closed captioning for greater accessibility.