Events

More details can be found in each event’s individual entry on the church calendar on this website. All events are at the church unless stated otherwise.

Easter Brunch and Party – Sunday, April 5 – 10:15-11:15 a.m. – We’ll have an egg hunt, crafts and activities for every-bunny! All ages welcome. PLUS: Family Ministries Potluck Brunch – Bring your favorite dish and gather in the Fellowship Hall. Make new friends, catch up with old friends, let’s build community together! Come for one, come for both, the more community, the better!

SUNDAY MIDDLE HOUR

Classes for all ages are held 10:15-11:15 a.m. every Sunday. Children and youth can gather for UU-based lessons and activities. Adults are invited to look for these three options: Faith in Action (social justice activities), Faith in Exploration (learn about Unitarian Universalism) and Faith in Practice (discuss spiritual practices of all kinds).

ONGOING

Meditation Class – Blue Lotus Meditation Center offers meditation sessions throughout the week at our church, their meditation center and online. … AT UCBR: Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 5 p.m. (Bring mats or floor pillows.) … AT 4084 LANIER DRIVE: 9:30 a.m. Saturdays. … ONLINE: Wednesdays at 7 p.m. (Select the “Virtual Mindfulness” event at this link to RSVP for access.)

OTHER EVENTS

Sunday, April 5

  • Easter Brunch and Party – 10:15-11:15 a.m. – We’ll have an egg hunt, crafts and activities for every-bunny! All ages welcome. PLUS: Family Ministries Potluck Brunch – Bring your favorite dish and gather in the Fellowship Hall. Make new friends, catch up with old friends, let’s build community together! Come for one, come for both, the more community, the better!
  • Open Circle Book Club – First Sunday of the month – 7 p.m. – This club meets in the church office. Upcoming titles are shown in the individual calendar entries for each event. (Also: May 3)

Monday, April 6

  • Pet Pillow Project – 2-5 p.m. – The work of crafting pet beds for local animal shelters is coming to a close. The last sessions are set for April 6, 8, 13 and 15 in Room 1. Sewing and non-sewing skills welcome. Open to ages 5 and up, though everyone under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Tuesday, April 7

  • Black Joy Collective – First Tuesday of the month – 6:30 p.m. – A supportive gathering space for Black members of UCBR. Our discussions provide an opportunity for sharing, learning, understanding, growing and becoming. Contact ucbrblack@gmail.com. (Also: May 5)

Wednesday, April 8

  • Pet Pillow Project – 2-5 p.m. – The work of crafting pet beds for local animal shelters is coming to a close. The last sessions are set for April 8, 13 and 15 in Room 1. Sewing and non-sewing skills welcome. Open to ages 5 and up, though everyone under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Thursday, April 9

  • BR Symphony Orchestra String Quartet – 7:30 p.m. – The Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra returns to our sanctuary with their Chamber Series: String Quartet. Tickets available at www.brso.org

Saturday, April 11

  • Magical Spring Market – 10 a.m.-4 p.m. – The fourth annual Magical Spring Market returns and is FREE to attend. Created by Vaudeville Entertainment and held on our campus, this event welcomes folk of all ages, backgrounds and beliefs to enjoy a day of spiritual education, connection, healing and celebration. It includes spiritual institutions, energy readers, holistic practitioners, mind/body/spirit gurus, artists, food vendors and more.
  • Drumming Circle – 5:30 p.m. – Gather, Move, Make Noise! Join the monthly Community Drum Circle near our Peace Stones one Saturday each month. (Also: May 16, June 27)

Sunday, April 12

  • Congregational Meeting – 10:15 a.m. – Members are encouraged to gather in the sanctuary to vote on changes to the bylaws and new board/committee nominations. A quorum must be present for a vote to be called.
  • Peace Pole Painting – 1:30-4 p.m. – Support our annual garden fundraiser! Stop by the team’s table on Sundays to purchase a pole then either decorate it yourself or come to this craft day. We’ll have supplies available for you to work your magic. Donations being accepted ahead of time for water-based exterior paint, brushes, stencils, painter’s tape, hot glue, glue guns and beads. (If you fall in love with your peace pole and want to keep it yourself – That’s ok, too!)

Monday, April 13

  • Pet Pillow Project – 2-5 p.m. – The work of crafting pet beds for local animal shelters is coming to a close. The last sessions are set for 13 and 15 in Room 1. Sewing and non-sewing skills welcome. Open to ages 5 and up, though everyone under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.
  • Women’s Book Club – Second Monday of the month – 7 p.m. – This club meets at the church and on Zoom. Upcoming titles and Zoom links are shown in the individual calendar entries for each event.

Wednesday, April 15

  • LAST SESSION! Pet Pillow Project – 2-5 p.m. – The work of crafting pet beds for local animal shelters is coming to a close. Sewing and non-sewing skills welcome when we meet in Room 1. Open to ages 5 and up, though everyone under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Sunday, April 19

  • MIDDLE HOUR: Branches Sampler – 10:15 a.m. – Sit in on a sample of a Branches meeting, our small group ministry program designed to help folks feel a sense of belonging to the congregation.
  • MIDDLE HOUR: Social Justice Team – Third Sunday of the month – 10:15 a.m. – Gather during Middle Hour to discuss the team’s latest activities and updates from focus groups. (Also: May 17)
  • Outreach Team – 1 p.m. – This team works to organize and plan many of the church’s outreach activities. Anyone interested in getting involved is welcome at the meetings. Room 5.
  • Compassionate Friends BR Chapter – 2:30-5 p.m. – This group provides highly personal comfort, hope and support to every family experiencing the death of a child or grandchild and helps others better assist the grieving family.

Sunday, April 26

  • MIDDLE HOUR: Branches Sampler – 10:15 a.m. – Sit in on a sample of a Branches meeting, our small group ministry program designed to help folks feel a sense of belonging to the congregation.
  • MIDDLE HOUR: Social Justice-Reproductive Justice Subteam – Fourth Sunday of the month – 10:15 a.m. – Discuss concerns about reproductive justice and what we can do to improve access for those in need. (Also: May 24)
  • TransUU: Living and Loving Others Amid the Gender Spectrum – Fourth Sunday of the month –1-2:30 p.m. – Join others for a discussion and relationship-building group for those with loved ones who are transgender, nonbinary or gender nonconforming. Open to all. (Also: May 24)
  • Interfaith Federation Sounds of CommUNITY Concert – 3 p.m. – This annual event inspires inspiration and hope as groups share music and dance from various faiths and cultures at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, 185 Eddie Robinson Sr. Drive.

Saturday-Sunday, May 2-3

  • Plant Sale – 10 a.m.-1 p.m. – Our annual plant sale returns! Help ahead of time by donating plants, spreading the word and joining the Peace Pole painting crew (watch for tables at church with more info). Then grab your friends and head to the church on May 2-3 to buy all the goodies for your home garden!

Sunday, May 3

  • Annual Flower Communion – 9 and 11:30 a.m. – In this century-old tradition, everyone is encouraged (though not required) to bring a flower to church to add to our baskets. During the ritual, we will each choose another flower to take home as a reminder of our shared community and that all of our differences combine to make a beautiful bouquet. The 9 a.m. service will also stream on our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/@UnitarianBR
  • Congregational Care Team – Second Sunday/Odd months – 10:15 a.m. (special date to avoid conflict w/Mother’s Day) – The CCT meets at church and via Zoom to provide care to people in the church community who are in crisis. (Also: July 12)
  • MIDDLE HOUR: Minister Meet & Greet – 10:15 a.m.  – Sit down with one of our ministers for a casual get-to-know-you chat, a deep discussion on theology, or any topic you’d like! (Also: June 7)
  • MIDDLE HOUR: Social Justice-Climate Action Subteam – First Sunday of the month – 10:15 a.m. – Share concerns and work toward putting our faith into action. All perspectives about climate are welcome – whatever your level of awareness or acceptance. SPECIAL GUEST: Marine ecologist Nancy Rabalais will share her research on the hypoxic zones—aquatic areas with low dissolved oxygen levels commonly known as “dead zones”—in the Gulf. She is the former director of the Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium and professor of oceanography and Wetland Studies at LSU. (Also: June 7)

Thursday, May 7

  • Retirement Support Group – First Thursday of the month – 10 a.m. – Most meetings are at La Madeleine on Jefferson Highway.

Sunday, May 10

  • MIDDLE HOUR: Social Justice-Voting Subteam – Second Sunday of the month – 10:15 a.m. – Discuss voting concerns and actions that can be taken to improve voting rights. (Also: June 14)

Sunday, May 17

  • Blood Drive – 8 a.m.-2 p.m. – The blood donation bus will be in our parking lot to welcome you to share the gift of life.
  • Family Ministries Potluck – 12:30-2 p.m. – Gather for a community celebration at the end of the church year! Bring a potluck dish to share. Make new friends, catch up with old friends, let’s build community together!

Sunday, May 31

  • New Member Ceremony – 9 and 11:30 a.m. – Our congregation will welcome new members at ceremonies held during both services. Interested in becoming a member? Stop by the info table in the kitchen on Sundays or email membership@unitarianbr.org

Saturday, June 6

  • Pride Prep Party – 9 a.m.-noon – Help us prep our campus for a month filled with Pride! Stop by at any time to decorate the church with as much rainbow joy as we can. All ages are invited; rainbow snacks provided!

Sunday, June 14

  • Sixth Source Sharing Circle – 1-2 p.m. – UU Pagans discuss their unique path. The group is dedicated to the UU principles and exploring their place in the natural world and their relationship with the gods. (Also: Sept. 13, Dec. 13)

WATCH ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THESE MEETINGS

  • Lunch Bunch – 1 p.m. – Select Sundays – Gather with other UUs after church for lunch at local restaurants. Locations and dates are announced in our weekly emails.