Living Tradition
SUNDAY WORSHIP
We have services every Sunday morning beginning at 10:30am where speakers; ministers, experts, artists and lay-people, from all walks of life share their expertise, their knowledge and their lived experience with our members & visitors. Sunday services last about an hour and each is followed by coffee, tea and a bite to eat while we socialize and have spirited discussions.
Sunday 10:30 am
Worship & Event Calendar
PROGRAMS & EVENTS
A Box of Chocolates
"My mama always said, 'Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get!'"
“A Box of Chocolates” (ABC) is our monthly feature performer and open mic event; a fundraiser for our fellowship that recurs on the 3rd Sat of the month. ABC is well-received in the community and we have featured diverse genres and artists. We are open to hosting duo, trio or quartets, and have done so in the past. Every event is different and tends to draw different kinds of audiences.
Family Movie Nights
“Adventure is out there!”
Join us once a quarter for a cozy evening of big-screen fun at our church fellowship! Our Family Movie Nights are made just for kids ages 5 to 12—and their awesome parents, too. We pick movies everyone will love (yes, even grown-ups), with plenty of laughs, adventure, and heart.
Boys, girls, parents — everyone’s welcome. Let’s build memories, share smiles, and enjoy stories that bring us closer together.
First showtime coming soon—stay tuned!
Family Movie Nights
“Adventure is out there!”
Join us once a quarter for a cozy evening of big-screen fun at our church fellowship! Our Family Movie Nights are made just for kids ages 5 to 12—and their awesome parents, too. We pick movies everyone will love (yes, even grown-ups), with plenty of laughs, adventure, and heart.
Boys, girls, parents — everyone’s welcome. Let’s build memories, share smiles, and enjoy stories that bring us closer together.
First showtime coming soon—stay tuned!
COMMUNITY BUILDING
Fostering Brave Spaces
Courageous Connections
“A house divided against itself cannot stand.” – President Lincoln.
Political polarization is fracturing our society, fueling division, isolating individuals in ideological echo chambers, and weakening our collective strength. This deepening divide not only erodes trust and civility but also contributes to rising alienation, loneliness, and a worsening mental health crisis. We seem to be at an impasse—entrenched in our differences, unwilling to listen, and unable to move forward. How will things change?
As always, change must begin from within. If we want a stronger, more united society, we must first look at ourselves—our biases, our willingness to engage, and our capacity for empathy. Braver Angels (BA) & Crossing Party Lines (CPL) are two national organizations attempting to facilitate this change. Through moderated conversations and workshops, they create spaces for open, civil dialogue between people with opposing political views, helping to bridge divides, restore trust, and find common ground despite deep differences. And they see time & time again, that common ground does exist and can be found.
Unitarian Universalist Society in Bay Shore, in partnership with CPL & BA Long Island, hosts “Courageous Connections”; a monthly program with moderated conversations among people across the aisle helping us rediscover our common humanity, into renewed listening and connection, and reclaim our love for our neighbor.
Jollyup Potluck
Fostering friendship
Jollyup Potluck
Our fellowship’s Potluck Parties called “Jollyup Potluck” (no one remembers the origins of the name but these gatherings are definitely jolly!) are the heart and soul of our community gatherings. Every so often, a member graciously hosts, and the rest of us bring a dish to share—making every meal a delightful, diverse spread of flavors, stories, and laughter. It’s a time for bonding over more than just food, as we exchange recipes, share cultural traditions, and celebrate the unique contributions that each of us brings to the table.
What makes these potlucks extra special are the themes—from “Comfort Food Classics” to “Around the World” to “Seasonal Favorites.” The themes spark creativity, and each dish becomes a conversation starter. Maybe someone brings a family heirloom recipe passed down through generations, or a twist on a classic dish that everyone has to try. It’s a great way to learn more about one another’s backgrounds, traditions, and tastes.
But beyond the deliciousness, these potlucks are about community. It’s not just about filling our plates; it’s about filling our hearts with connection. Whether it’s chatting with an old friend, meeting a new member, or finding common ground over a shared love of spice or sweetness, the potluck builds a sense of belonging and togetherness that lasts far beyond the last bite. So, grab your favorite dish (or maybe try something new!), and join us at the next one. Who knows? You might discover your new favorite recipe, or make a connection that lasts a lifetime!
Fostering Dialogue & Understanding
Bay Shore Interfaith Council
“To foster unity, understanding, and collaboration among diverse faith traditions, promoting shared values of compassion, justice, and service for the well-being of our community.” – Bay Shore Interfaith Council Mission Statement
In Nov 2024, 10 faith communities of Bay Shore came together to form the Bay Shore Interfaith Council with the goal to foster dialogue between various faith communities, with the intention of addressing shared concerns, promoting peace, and enriching mutual understanding. The council organizes events, discussions, and community service projects that encourage interfaith cooperation. The council members are:
- First Baptist Church of Bay Shore
- Bahá’i Spiritual Assembly of the Town of Islip
- Bethel AME Church Bay Shore,
- Jewish Center of Bay Shore
- St. Luke’s Lutheran Church
- St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church
- St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
- Masjid Darul Quran- The Muslim Center of Long Island
- United Methodist Church of Bay Shore, and
- Unitarian Universalist Society of South Suffolk
Fostering Community
Event Rentals
Our facility is available for weekdays or weekends. Available for groups or individuals. Capacity is 75 people. Variety of set-up formats. Our rates are competitive for our beautiful space. Convenient location in Bay Shore between Main and Union on Brentwood Rd.
HEALTH
Our UU Fellowship offers Yoga classes for practitioners at all levels. Teacher Lisa Benson offers two classes; 1) gentle Chair Yoga on Mondays from 4:30-5:30pm for seniors and others who have limited flexibility, 2) Hatha Yoga for full body work on Mondays from 6-7pm. Drop-in fee $10.
Yoga & Unitarian Universalism: A Shared Path of Growth
Unitarian Universalist (UU) fellowships embrace personal exploration, inclusivity, and interconnectedness, values deeply aligned with yoga. Both emphasize:
Mindfulness & Reflection – Like UU meditative practices, yoga nurtures self-inquiry and stillness.
Compassion & Community – Both encourage service, love, and unity with others.
Holistic Well-being – Just as UUs seek balance in ethical, spiritual, and intellectual growth, yoga fosters balance in body, mind, and spirit.
For those in UU communities, yoga can be a tool for self-care and spiritual deepening, helping individuals live with greater intention, resilience, and connection to the world around them.
Fostering Healthy Spaces
Yoga
Yoga:
A Path to Wholeness Yoga is an ancient practice that integrates the mind, body, and spirit, promoting balance and well-being. Originating in India over 5,000 years ago, it has evolved into a universal discipline that fosters physical health, mental clarity, and spiritual connection.
Physical Benefits:
Yoga enhances flexibility, strength, and posture through various poses (asanas). It also improves circulation, boosts the immune system, and reduces chronic pain. Many practitioners experience relief from stress-related ailments like headaches, high blood pressure, and digestive issues.
Mental Benefits:
Breathwork (pranayama) and meditation help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Yoga encourages mindfulness—being present in the moment—which enhances emotional resilience and cognitive function. Studies show that regular practice lowers cortisol levels, the hormone responsible for stress.
Spiritual Benefits:
Yoga fosters inner peace and self-awareness. Though not tied to any one religion, it encourages practitioners to explore their connection to something greater than themselves—whether that be community, nature, or a higher consciousness.
Fostering resilient spaces
Judo
Our UU Fellowship is the home for Long Island Bujutsu Academy with classes on Tuesday and Friday nights at 7pm. L.I. Bujutsu students are trained in Judo & Jujutsu styles as well as other techniques for self defense and self improvement.
Jujutsu: The Gentle Art
Developed in feudal Japan, this martial art was designed to defeat an opponent utilizing holds, strikes, joint locking and strangling techniques by first yielding to an opponents attack.
Judo: The Gentle Way
Founded in 1882 by renowned Jujutsu master and educator Dr.Jigoro Kano.
Dr. Kano took the best techniques that did not rely on brute strength to work. Dr. Kano took away techniques too dangerous to practice with a resisting opponent and put them in katas for advanced students to learn.
Today Judo is the second most popular sport in the word behind soccer. The American College Of Sports Medicine reports Judo as the safest contact sport for children in the U.S.A.
SUSTAINABILITY
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Fostering Sustainable Spaces
Organic Community Garden
Climate Victory Gardens are inspired by the collective action Americans took during the WWI and WWII victory gardening movement. In Spring 2025, UU rear lawn was converted into an Organic Community Garden to grow food & walk the walk on Climate Justice. This garden has 8'x4' raised beds that the community is able to use thus it is also a Climate Victory Community Garden!
SOCIAL JUSTICE
LGBTQ Welcoming
We are a welcoming congregation.
First launched in 1990, the “Welcoming Congregation” program grew out of an understanding that widespread prejudices and ignorance about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people existed within Unitarian Universalism, which resulted in the exclusion of LGBTQ people from our congregations.
Today, 66% of U.S. Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations and 94% of Canadian UU congregations are recognized as Welcoming Congregations. The program is supported by LGBTQ Ministries.
Bay Shore Emergency Food Pantry
We support many charitable efforts in the community including donating space for the Bay Shore Emergency Food pantry in the front building that feeds about a 100 people per month. The Bay Shore Emergency Food Pantry works in partnership with Long Island Cares, and is staffed & administered entirely by volunteers who provide a 3-ay supply of food for those individuals in crisis.
Contact At
- 631-219-4289
- 516-382-2302
Seeking the Divine or the Community?
Call Us At
- 631-968-0667
Location
- 28 Brentwood Road, Bay Shore, NY 11706
Sunday Worship
Morning: 10:30 am To 12:00 pm
A Box of Chocolates
3rd Sat 7:00 pm To 10:00 pm
Courageous Conversations
1st Wed 7:00 pm To 9:00 pm
Write Us a Line
We're delighted to connect with you. Whether you have questions, want to get involved, or simply need support, our doors and hearts are open to you.