Unitarian Universalist Church of Amherst

Great church! I have been a member of this church for over 10 years and I love it here. It's the perfect fit for someone who identifies as "spiritual but not religious". If you're looking for connection to a loving community, you believe in a god, a goddess, many gods and goddesses, or no god at all, and you're inspired by liberal spirituality (you won't hear talk of hellfire and brimstone here) then you'll love it and fit right in at UUCA (as we call it for short).

Sunday services begin at 10:30am and lasts an hour. There's a large parking lot in the back behind the building, and that's where the main entrance is.

The people here are friendly and welcoming to newcomers which is nice because before I found this church back in 2008 I had been to others and the people were nice but seemed to keep outsiders at an arms length of distance.

Wondering about attire? Come as you are! Some people wear suits and ties, and many other come in jeans and t-shirts. Whatever you're comfortable wearing. We sing hymns and Rev. Michelle Buhite delivers sermons on life and spirituality with a hopeful message.

Youth programs and childcare is available for children of all ages during the service and children are always welcome to remain in the chapel! There are even "busy bags" with crayons and little things to keep the small ones entertained in the pews.

After the service there's a "coffee hour" where members and newcomers can socialize casually and connect with one another. Everyone is encouraged to stay and be social.

There are various programs during the week to offer opportunities to connect on a deeper level with fellow congregants. After all, connection is what keeps us all coming back year after year!

My kids, who are now young adults, participated heavily as teens in the youth group where they forged lifelong relationships with other UU teens. They went on field trips and had sleepovers in the church and put together "Youth Sunday" services where the youth group lead one entire Sunday service a year. They have since gone off to college and are beginning their careers and look back fondly on their time in the youth group at UUCA.

I did notice a poor review left by a former member who recently passed away just a few years ago :( I knew him and considered him a friend for many years. He was a troubled man who struggled with personal relationships and his relationship with the church was no different.

Rest in peace, Arnie :(

I have never been here for services, but I have been to events held here.

The annual Vegetarian Potluck Thanksgiving Dinner is held here and the event is always great. There is a large kitchen plus a room full of tables and chairs. They event have dishes and silverware, making it an eco-friendly event.

A great place for a community meal!

Great place, great people, very welcoming no matter who you are or what you believe. Many activities as well to get involved with based on whatever you may have an interest in!

My husband and I have been members here for about 15 years. We come from different faith backgrounds (Jewish & Catholic) and were married by a previous minister, Rev. Carl Thichener, in 1990. We love this church because it is a place where our 5 children can grow up in an inclusive, tolerant and open-minded community, learning that each and every person is important and deserves to be treated with kindness and dignity, everyone deserves a voice in what happens to them and that we have a moral obligation to be the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. Other important concepts they learn is that UU's believe that the world is an interconnected place and that what each of us does, affects the other and that there is no one right answer religion. We are all encouraged to question and explore and come up with the faith answer that makes the most sense for us. UUCA is a place of open minded people, with loving hearts and helping hands. All of these principles are just a perfect fit for our family. Plus, the annual pumpkin carving event is always a favorite!

Beautiful space with custom woodwork and a lovely view of flowering shrubs all around. My friends were married here today and the minister offered heartfelt words of wisdom for the bride, groom and all those gathered to witness.