Adult Programs at BUF
Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship offers many ways to engage within the BUF community, encompassing all ages and a variety of interests.
Small Group Ministry
Chalice Circles help us deepen our connection to each other while expanding our personal and spiritual growth.
Religious Education
We believe in lifelong learning. There is always room for exploring, questioning and learning.
Affinity Groups
Through meals, music, meditation, or discussion, our Affinity Groups bring members and friends of BUF together around what they love.
Adult Religious Education Classes
Our religious education programs for adults have included study groups on the Bhagavad-Gita, Buddhism, the Bible, and theology as well as many other opportunities to challenge perceptions and expand knowledge bases. See the calendar below for current offerings or contact our Administrator for more information.
Chalice Circles
Chalice Circles are groups of six to ten members meet monthly at BUF or in each others’ homes for sharing and discussing.
The topics invite participants to consider their deep convictions, beliefs, and experiences that speak to the core of human existence. The sharing and deep listening that occurs during this process cultivates trust and strong bonds among the group. Chalice Circles are facilitated by lay members of the Fellowship.
Chalice Circles meet from October to June. A month-long registration process occurs in September during which registrants are placed into existing or newly created groups. Every effort will be made to place interested people after September 30th into an existing group, although the placement may not be immediate. For more information on Chalice Circles with openings, please contact our Administrator in the BUF office.
Affinity Groups
There are so many groups to appeal to your special interests, and we hope you will take advantage of the opportunity to join one or more.
Lunch for All
Come brown-bag it for fellowship on Tuesdays at noon for an open discussion forum on a wide variety of topics.
Community Dinners
Join us on Wednesdays at 5:45pm, September through June. This is a great low-cost way to have dinner out while socializing with others.
Choir
Our Choral Program led by our Choir Director, Ben Workman Smith, is an enthusiastic approach to the uplifting attributes of all types of music. From haunting classical to raise-the-roof international, all of our music shares a common theme: it enhances the worship experience. Our 50-60 voice, mixed choir is open to all voices and meets from September through early June, rehearsing on Wednesdays from 6:30 pm to 7:45 pm. We encourage interested singers to come try us at any time, and we promise to help you feel welcome! No previous choral experience is necessary, but we do like to stretch ourselves! We implement various schemes that allow our choir members to help each other further develop our music reading and performing skills, including vocal workshops, sectionals, retreats, a music reading buddy system and on-line rehearsal tracks. For more information, email choir director, Ben Workman Smith.
UpLift (LGBTQ+)
By providing and supporting leadership, and by working in collaboration with other organizations of similar vision, we strive to connect and nurture all LGBTQ+ individuals, communities, groups, and their allies. We work closely with Whatcom PFLAG and every year engage BUF and our greater community in PRIDE events as well as offering educational opportunities exploring justice challenges of the LGBTQ+ community.
Engagement
We aspire to promote meaningful engagement, where members and friends of BUF can explore their passions, deepen connections, and further their spiritual growth. Through collaboration and the creation of tools and methods that spark interpersonal connection and involvement, we will strengthen congregation-wide belonging and nurture a vibrant, connected community, in keeping with the principles of Unitarian Universalism.
Dining with Friends
Dining with Friends is a program of small groups that gather around food and conversation once a month from October through May. Learn more and indicate your interest in participating here.
YUUP
Young UU Programs include the Q&A Social Club every other Sunday evening where UUs age 14-25 gather to play board games or have outings, as well as the Lunch Bunch (ages 18-35) on alternating Sunday afternoons after the service.
Flowering Cherry Sangha
BUF’s Flowering Cherry Sangha meets every Thursday in the BUF sanctuary for a 30-minute seated silent meditation commencing promptly at 12:30pm. At 1:00pm there is a 5-minute break for announcements & metta requests, followed by a 25-minute time of shared conversation and reflection to support our meditation practice, usually centered around a book study. We are always delighted to welcome new participants, whether you are a seasoned practitioner or newly curious. For more information or to join our mailing list please contact the group facilitator Cynthia Bauman at 408-656-6083 or cynauman@gmail.com.
Annual Women’s Retreat
Each Spring, BUF women have the opportunity to attend a weekend retreat where they engage in social interaction, learning and self-exploration, and spiritual enhancement. Information on the next retreat will be shared in 2026.
Men’s Group
Find social and spiritual sustenance & fellowship at the Men’s Group on selected Sundays in the Library after coffee hour. Friendly, fraternal conversations provoke reflections, insight, humor and lasting friendships. Men of all ages are welcome! Contact Jeff Copeland.
Sunday Forums
On Sunday from 9:15 am to 10:15 am, Sunday Forums are presented in our Conference Room on the first floor. Speakers and topics vary from health and nutrition to social justice Issues to travelogues. All are welcome! Contact Doug Branson.
Book Groups
There are three Book Groups:
3rd Thursday of each month, at 7:00 pm in members’ homes. For titles, dates, and locations, sign up for the group’s Blog at bufbookgroup.blogspot.com. Add your email address under ‘Follow by Email’ or contact Jan Cavitt.
2nd Thursday of each month, at 6:30 pm in members’ homes. Contact Drew Betz for more information.
2nd Monday of each month in the BUF conference room at 10:00 am. Contact either Jean Hurlburt or Ellen Berning.
All contacts may be reached using the Member Directory or via our Administrator.
Religious Education Calendar
Religious Education Calendar
