Nurturing Your Mind and Spirit

Book Discussion Group

Join in a freewheeling discussion of books. Anyone who likes to read is invited to participate. Attendees choose the books at the beginning of the year. Meetings are held from September through May. Learn more

2nd Monday, 7:30 PM, Library

Mary Lou Welter

 354-1231 or email

Buddhist Sangha

The UU-Buddhist Sangha is a community of people that gathers weekly to explore contemporary Buddhist practice and teachings in the context of Unitarian Universalist principles and for meditation.

Wednesdays, 7 PM, Library

Steve Locher

 354-6260 or email

Covenant Groups

Small groups of 8-12 people meet monthly for discussions that foster the emotional, intellectual, and spiritual growth of members, deepen relationships among them, and create a greater sense of connection and belonging to the UUSIC community as a whole. Learn more

Various days, times, and locations

Jan Locher

 354-6260 or email

Dances of Universal Peace

Participants gather for chanting and simple folk dance movements honoring various religious traditions. These prayerful, heart-opening dances foster connections between people. No experience needed. Learn more

2nd Sunday, 6:30 PM, Channing Hall

Virginia Melroy
 338-1778, email

Drum Circle

Drummers bring their own instruments or use available bells. Native American prayer drum, Latin conga — participants find room for their songs! Learn more

1st Wednesday, 7 PM, Channing Hall

Cliff Missen
338-8543,  email

Exploring Christianity

UUs Exploring Christianity is a community of people who gather monthly to discover what it means to follow Jesus in the context of Unitarian Universalism. Learn more

2nd Monday, 7 PM, Channing Hall

Rev. Steven Protzman, 337-3443, email  

Girls’ Night Out

Women in the UUSIC community get together and enjoy conversation, beverages, and if desired, a meal. This is an opportunity to get together with current friends and to make new ones. Learn more

4th Monday, 5:15 to 7:30 PM, Bob's Your Uncle

Susan Salterberg

337-4816, email

Secular Humanists

The seven principles of Unitarian Universalism call upon UUs to engage in a "a free and responsible search for truth and meaning.” Participants include UUSIC members, friends, and visitors who variously identify themselves as religious humanists, secular humanists, freethinkers, agnostics, atheists, and skeptics. Learn more

3rd Tuesday, 7 PM, Fireside Room

Jill Stephenson

354-9569, email  

UU Vegetarians

UU Vegetarians, vegans, and anyone interested in exploring a plant-based lifestyle meet for dining out adventures and potlucks to explore the connection between lifestyle choices and health, environment and animal welfare. Learn more

Monthly, varying times and locations

Carol Throckmorton

337-3030, email

Welcome Home Wednesdays

Participants meet for a catered dinner at 5:45 PM, vespers at 6:30 PM, and adult education and recreational classes on a wide range of topics from 7-8:30 PM. Children’s programming is offered from 6:30-8:30 PM. Learn more

6-week sessions in spring and fall

Linda Rice

354-4767, email

Children, Youth, and Young Adults

Religious Education

RE programming is offered to pre-kindergarten through grade 3 at the 9:30 a.m. service and pre-kindergarten through senior high at the 11:15 a.m. service. Children and junior high youth attend the first 15 minutes of services and then meet in their classrooms. Senior high youth group meets at 11 AM. Learn more

Sunday, 9:45-10:45 AM and 11:30-12:30 PM

Lois Cole

594-6128, email

Campus Ministry

Iowa City college students meet for a meal provided by the congregation, discussion, games, and workshops on topics such as a personal faith and social justice issues. Meets during academic sessions.

Most Sundays, 5:30 PM, Channing Hall

Madison Montgomery

515-778-9056, email

Campus Ministry Committee

This committee is composed of campus young adults and UUSIC members who work to support Campus Ministry programming. Learn more

Variable

Pete Brokaw

354-9725, email

Children and Youth Committee

This committee supports RE teachers, develops programs and policies, and plans inter-generational events. There are opportunities to assist with one-time events or with ongoing projects. Learn more

Monthly

April Lefever

319-354-7392, email

Youth Council

This committee of youth and adults meets to develop youth programming beyond Sunday mornings; such as youth conferences, leadership opportunities, and fundraisers.

Monthly

Emma Kaboli

321-1842, email

If you have an idea for an interest group, please let us know! Contact Carol Throckmorton, Membership Coordinator, 337-3030 or membership@uusic.org.

Serving Our Community

Free Lunch Program

UUSIC supports the Greater Iowa City Free Lunch Program. The objective and mission are to provide hot meals for approximately 120 guests per meal. Volunteers prepare and serve the lunch and clean up afterwards.

2nd Friday, 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM, Wesley Center
Lee and Susan Eberly, email
Sherry Dolash, email

Green Sanctuary Committee

This committee builds awareness of societal environmental issues among congregants and motivates all to integrate environmental practices that model good sustainable living practices. It works with other churches and/or groups on environmental injustices beyond the scope of our church. Learn more

Mark NeuCollins
319-624-3112, email

Immigration Issues Study and Action Group

Members educate and advocate for immigrant rights and immigration law and policy reform on the city, state and national levels. Learn more

Monthly, varying dates and times

Steve Locher

354-6260, email

Interweave

Established in 1997, the UUSIC Interweave Chapter is a membership organization affiliated with the UUA. Supporting our UUSIC commitment to being a Welcoming Congregation, the group includes lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender people, and their heterosexual allies. Meetings include social action planning, education, and fun. Learn more

2nd Monday, varying locations and times

Tova Vitiello

337-7093, email

Partner Church Committee

This committee supports our Unitarian partners in the village of Janosfalva, Transylvania, Romania. Money is raised to support the church and village through the annual "Festival of the First Bread" held in February. Periodic visits are made to Romania to visit Janosfalva. The goal is to deepen and strengthen our bonds with the church in Janosfalva. Learn more

Mary Kathryn Wallace

541-9501, email

Social Justice Coordinating Committee

SJCC coordinates UUSIC community service and social justice activities. Advocacy opportunities are offered at the SJCC table in Channing Hall on Sunday mornings. Learn more

1st Tuesday, 7 PM, Library

Barbara Curtin

337-4306, email

Supporting Our Church

Buildings and Grounds

This committee coordinates the ongoing care of our buildings and grounds, which includes painting, window washing, general repairs, carpet cleaning, and flooring replacement. Members also design and maintain landscaping around the buildings.

Kurt Hamann, 319-541-9393, email
Deb Schoelerman, 351-2811, email

Choir and Music

The choir performs most Sundays during the church year at both services. New members are always welcome, and there are no auditions. The Performing Arts Series presents three performances per year. Learn more

Choir practice is on Thursdays at 7 PM
Barbara Buddin

339-7432, email

Committee on Congregational Life and Ministry (CCLAM)

Members of CCLAM work with all the ministries of the church. They track the work and interaction of these groups with each other and with the minister, facilitating communication and fostering a strong sense of the community as an interdependent whole. Learn more

Varying meeting times

Jim Olson,  512-0007, email

Bonnie Penno, 354-6952, email

Historical Records

This committee preserves the history of UUSIC and its members by collecting and organizing historical materials for both our traditional archive and our newly created digital archive. Information about the UUSIC heritage is shared through newsletter articles, exhibits, and occasional special events.

Varying meeting times

Marilyn Jennewein

email

Hospitality Committee

Each Sunday ushers assist at services by greeting members, friends and visitors. Coffee-hour volunteers prepare beverages and food for the between-service social hour.

Varying meeting times

Carol Throckmorton

337-3030, email

Membership Associates

This committee creates an inclusive, welcoming atmosphere for all members, friends and visitors. Greeters staff a Welcome Table for visitors and members seeking information on Unitarian Universalism and provide information about the various UUSIC programs.

3rd Sunday, 12:30 PM, Library

Carol Throckmorton

337-3030, email

Pastoral Care

The mission of this committee is to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of very person, and to practice compassion in human relations. Its goal is to provide a ministry of support, hope, and caring, so that no one connected to this congregation feels alone. Learn more

2nd Tuesday, 5 PM, Library

Gordon Strayer, 338-2637, email  

Space Committee

The Space Committee focuses on maximizing the best use of the building and its furnishings and improving the physical space used.

Meets as needed

Vicki Siefers

338-5984, email

Stewardship Committee

This committee plans and implements events for the annual fall pledge campaign that invites members and friends to make a financial pledge to the UUSIC’s operating budget.

Monthly, February to November

David Martin

351-7616, email

Treats and Talents Auction

Treats and Talents is an annual auction that connects UUs all year long through offerings of social events and donations of art work and services such as gardening, painting, and carpentry. Proceeds benefit the UUSIC general fund. Learn more

Spring, Channing Hall

Administrative Assistant
319-337-3443, ext. 101, email

Uni-Care

Uni-Care provides person-to-person assistance for members and friends in need. Volunteers provide food, home visits, transportation, receptions and other needed support.

Carol Throckmorton

337-3030, email

Worship Associates

The Worship Associates participate in worship services throughout the year. They take primary responsibility for one Sunday service each month from September through May, and for all summer services. Learn more

2nd Sunday, 12:30 PM, Library

Rev. Steven Protzman

3370-3443 ext. 102, email