The Unitarian Universalist Society of Oneonta (UUSO) is a congregation known throughout the community for extending a warm welcome to all who visit. We are an inclusive and Welcoming Congregation. We invite everyone into our faith community without regard to religious practice or belief: sexual or affectional orientation: gender identity and expression: age; race: national origin; ethnic background: socioeconomic status: marital status: size: intellectual developmental or physical disability: neurodivergence: or physical and mental health.
When you visit, please dress as you feel comfortable. Casual dress is fine. Sunday services begin at 10:30 AM, and typically last about an hour. Our services are held in the Sanctuary of our historic Chapin Memorial Church at 12 Ford Avenue in downtown Oneonta. Free parking is available across the street in the Dietz Street Municipal parking lot as well as on the street. There are also a few handicap parking spaces indicated by signboards at the curb in front of the church building, which is handicap accessible by a ramp. Assistive audio is available in the Sanctuary through Hearing Loop. An Usher will provide the device and instructions.
Service animals are always welcome in our Sanctuary. Therapy animals are also permitted, with prior staff approval by emailing a request to uuso@uuso.org.
There is a coatroom to the left of the foyer, and restrooms are also there, including a wheelchair-accessible one. As you proceed from the foyer through the double doors to the Sanctuary, an usher will welcome you and give you a copy of the Order of Service. Our Welcome Table is on the left, just inside the door, where you may fill out a short guest registration form and make a name tag for yourself. You are welcome to sit wherever you would like. We request that you turn off your phone during the service.
If you are visiting with children, we welcome your whole family! Please see the Children and Youth information section here https://uuso.org/children-youth/
Unitarian Universalism draws inspiration from both ancient sources and modern writings, and the content of our services reflects our many influences. Members and friends of the congregation identify with religious influences from Buddhism, Christianity, Taoism, Judaism, Humanism, Paganism, Atheism, and Agnosticism, to name a few.
Chimes sound when the service is ready to begin and are a signal to turn attention to the Prelude, refraining from further conversation during the program. A typical service includes musical pieces and hymns, welcome and announcements, lighting of the chalice, sharing of joys and sorrows, a meditation time, readings, sermon or reflection, and closing. Services vary somewhat from week to week in content and format. Generally, we do not applaud during the service, but may raise our hands, shaking them as a sign of appreciation for the speaker or the music.
Following the service, please join us for Coffee Hour socializing in the Sanctuary. You will have the opportunity to meet the friendly folks of UUSO and to talk with the Connections Team Member at the Welcome Table or a member of the Board of Trustees. They can help to answer any questions you may have about UUSO.
We hope you will enjoy visiting our UUSO. We are glad to welcome you to our community. Please come back again soon!