uu springfield unitarian universalist church in springfield vermont vt

The Unitarian Universalist Church in Springfield is a welcoming and supportive community for people of all ages. We value the open mind and encourage each person to question and develop their own faith. We love a warm heart and a generous spirit. Together, we seek the creation of a more loving and just world, and aspire to live sustainably on the Earth.

We have been a voice for liberal religion for over 200 years. Our first meeting house was built on Parker Hill in 1805. We still maintain the cemetery on Parker Hill and hold a service there annually. In 1832, the congregation joined the Episcopalians in building a Union Church in the center of the growing town of Springfield. In 1870, the Universalists took sole possession as the Church of the Good Shepherd. We moved to our current location on Fairground Rd. in 1971, and added a lovely new Sanctuary in 1990. Our facility is fully accessible.

JANUARY SUNDAYS
January 1 at 10 am Celebrating the Labyrinth Service Leader: Rev. Eleanor Rice

Start the New Year with this ancient spiritual practice, either on foot or with a finger while sitting in a chair. Come join in celebrating the labyrinth, with stories, quiet walking and a final joyful labyrinth dance.

January 8 at 10 am Fire Ceremony Service Leader: JoAnn Gaffron Hargrove

On this Sunday, we will share with each other personal highlights of the year gone by and aspirations for the future. You are invited to burn pieces of paper containing brief descriptions of something you most wish to leave behind and light a candle for a new hope for the new year.

January 15 at 10 am With Heart Service Leader: Rev. Eleanor Rice

Genuine existence is the courageous encounter with the world, David O. Rankin

We look upon heroes like Martin Luther King Jr. as the most courageous people in the world, wondering how they ever grew to be so courageous. Today we will explore the third virtue, courage, living with heart, in fulfillment of the right of conscience.
Souper Sunday following the service

Share the Plate: Guest At Your Table- Today is the last day to return Guest At Your Table boxes and envelopes. All cash should be converted to a check, and checks made out to the church with GAYT in the memo line. Our offering will be added to this collection in support of all the work the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee does on our behalf.

January 22 at 10 am Reckoning with Violence as a Peace-loving Unitarian

Service Leader: JoAnn Gaffron Hargrove

If we advocate peace, goodness, and non-violence, how do we deal with aggression, violence, evil and war? As much as we would like to, we cannot deny that these things exist, both around us and within us. Though we are privileged to be living in a relatively peaceful place and in a congregation of loving people, some of us have already been confronted with evil and violence in our lives. All of us will come face to face with it at some time. How do we deal with it?

January 29 at 10 am Seeking New Faith Service Leader Rev. Eleanor Rice

Unitarian Universalists love to seek new faith. From the creation of the Charles Street Meeting House 60 years ago to the 2011 Minns lectures (synopses in UUWorld, full texts at uua.org), we seek to start anew. What faith do we/can we offer our post-modern world?

Every Thursday at 7:30 pm Zazen Meditation (In Buddhist Tradition) in the Sanctuary. Anyone is welcome. If new, please come at 7:15 for orientation.