A Joyful Community, Spiritually Engaged, Changing the World.

Welcome! We are a home for liberal religion in the Mahoning Valley. Our mission is to build a diverse and transformative spiritual community, help people live lives of wholeness, and promote justice, peace, and religious freedom.

Here’s what’s going on at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Youngstown:

Sunday, May 26, Service – “Compassion Every Day”

11 AM Sanctuary

The beating heart at the center of all great religion is empathy for the suffering of those around us. It takes practice to open the heart, to be aware of this suffering and ultimately respond to it, rather than turning away. We will examine how we can become more compassionate as spiritual practice, a part of our everyday life.

Worship Leader: Rev. Matt Alspaugh

Worship Associate: Janice Elias

Coming of Age Sunday, May 19, 2013

Members of the high school class shared their faith statments at this lovely “coming of age” service.

Sunday, May 19, Service – “Coming of Age Sunday: What We Believe”

11 AM Sanctuary

Coming of Age is a rite of passage for children who are coming into youth hood. Throughout the year, our youth have been discussing aspects of childhood and adolescence. They have been discussing religion and the big questions. They have been keeping journals of their thoughts along the way. All of this has been in preparation for this service, where they will share their faith statements, what they believe. This is a youth-led service.

Worship Leaders: Madeline Corrette-Bennett, Jillian Crabb, Melissa Crabb, Joslyn Materna, Ryan Materna, Darby McDonald, Davin Stilson

Mother Spirit, Father Spirit and Welcoming of New Members, Sunday, May 12, 2013

Matt Alspaugh and Karen O’Malia joined congregants in welcoming new members on a Sunday dedicated to feminine and masculine spirit.

All-Church Auction BIRD WALK at CRANE CREEK, led by Ralph Malmer May 11, 2013

Congegants at UUYO who purchased the All-Church Auction BIRD WALK AT CRANE CREEK, led by long-time member Ralph Malmer, enjoyed birding on Saturday.

All Church Auction Coming Saturday June 8

Bird Walk at Mill Creek – 2012 Auction Event

Boat rides and baubles and birdwalks galore….
Bagels and beer tastes and suppers for four!

Saturday June 8, 6:30 p.m. the annual UUYO All Church Auction will be held in Channing Hall. It’s an evening of fun and fellowship and an important fundraiser for the church.

Buy a ticket, and one for a friend! Tickets are $10 for adults and the evening includes a buffet of appetizers and desserts. Buy tickets Sundays after church or contact Jan Schnall. Kids are free, with childcare for kids under 6 and movie and pizza for the older kids.
(Let us know if you plan to bring the kids!)
Donate an item, service, or event. We already have some parties, dinners, and group outings, as well as baskets, baked goods, gift certificates, and offerings of our personal talents and skills. If you’re not sure what to donate, contact Linda Mohn or Kathy Garritano for ideas. Remember, even if you can’t attend on June 8, you can donate an item or service.
Donate an appetizer or dessert for auction night. Contact Marcia Malmer.
Lend a hand to help plan and run the auction. We need help with a number of tasks, large and small, before and during the event. Contact Karen O’Malia.

CBS Video “Religion & Spirituality in a Changing Society”

CBS News recently created a documentary called Religion & Spirituality in a Changing Society to explore the dramatic changes in Americans’ religious behavior. They interview UUA President the Rev. Peter Morales and profile First Parish Cambridge, Unitarian Universalist to better understand what Unitarian Universalism offers to meet the spiritual needs of the growing population of “Nones”- or individuals who have no religious affiliation.

(Note, there are some ads. The video below may take a few moments to load. you can also follow this link)

Sunday, May 12, Service – “Mother Spirit, Father Spirit, Where Are You?”

11 AM Sanctuary

The opening lines of a hymn by the beloved Norbert Capek frames a question for many theists: what are the genders of God? Many ancient people saw their God as feminine; but in the Abrahamic religions, this God became masculine, and many moderns imagine a none- or all-of-the-above gender identity for God. Why might this matter? What makes sense for us?

A new member ceremony will be part of this service.

Worship Leaders: Rev. Matt Alspaugh & Karen O’Malia