The Hole in my Backyard: The Courage to Begin

Sunday, September 27, 2026, 11:00 AM ~ All worship services will be offered in a hybrid format –  In person at UUYO in the sanctuary or virtually via Zoom. The Hole in my Backyard: The Courage to Begin Join us this Sunday as we explore the topic of beginnings. Beginning something new can be exciting—but it can also be frightening. What happens when we feel unprepared, when a project stalls, or when life asks us to begin again? Every real beginning contains uncertainty. Faith is believing that even an imperfect beginning can teach us where to place our next step.
  • Kathleen Hogue: Speaker
  • Brian Crisan: Worship Associate & Chalice
  • Thomas Smotzer: Piano
  • Cynthia Smotzer: Flute
  • Erick Ramos: Violin
Did you miss last week’s service? Click Here!

September Give Away the Plate: RAE’S SAFE HAVEN

Rae’s Safe Haven is a community-centered organization dedicated to creating affirming spaces and providing meaningful support for LGBTQ+ individuals and other marginalized communities. Through outreach, education, advocacy, and direct support, we strive to foster safety, wellness, connection, and belonging for those who are too often overlooked or underserved. Our mission is to create affirming spaces and provide support services that empower LGBTQ+ individuals and marginalized communities while promoting safety, wellness, dignity, and belonging. Named in honor of our founder’s Aunt Rae, the organization carries forward her legacy of compassion, resilience, and showing up for others when they need it most. Her spirit reminds us that safety is about more than having a place to go—it is about being seen, valued, respected, and supported. Rae’s Safe Haven was created in response to gaps that continue to impact people in our communities, including limited access to affirming resources, social isolation, a lack of supportive services, and systems that do not always meet the needs of those they are intended to serve. We believe everyone deserves a place where they feel welcome, respected, safe, and connected.

Religious Exploration 2026-2027

Neighboring Religious Communities (All Ages) WHAT THIS COURSE IS ABOUT We will visit religious communities near our congregation. We begin with another Unitarian Universalist congregation, then visit communities whose beliefs, rituals, and practices may be less familiar to us. The goal is respectful learning — not agreement.“The most important thing for us Unitarian Universalists is not belief or ritual — the most important thing for us is making the world a better place.”

Teach Your Children Well

October 2026 – May 2027

This year, our Religious Education children and youth will take part in “Teach Your Children Well”, a program inspired by Marilyn vos Savant’s book Growing Up. Throughout the year, we’ll explore an exciting idea: some of our greatest teachers are already right here in our own community!

We are inviting members and friends of UUYO to share their knowledge, expertise, talents, skills, and passions with our children and youth. Do you garden, bake, paint, fix things, play an instrument, study history, understand science, practice a craft, know about another culture—or simply have something you love and would enjoy sharing? We’d love to hear from you!

Each session will give our young people an opportunity to learn something new while getting to know the remarkable people who make up our church community.

Interested in leading a session? Contact Kathleen at DRE@UUYO.org.

Come share what you know—and help our children discover how much there is to learn! Find Out more Here.