Welcome
The Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (BUUF) is an inclusive,
nurturing, and growing community, supporting the spiritual,
intellectual, and emotional growth of families and individuals from all
over the Treasure Valley.
We affirm and promote:
The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our
congregations;
A free and reasonable search for truth and meaning;
The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our
congregations and within society at large;
The goal of world community, with peace, liberty, and justice for
all;
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a
part.
Adhering to Unitarian Universalist values and traditions, BUUF strives
to promote justice in all things. We believe that the holy is known by
many names and practices, so we honor each person's religious path. We
also cherish religious community, so together we worship, learn, play,
celebrate life's passages, and give and receive pastoral support.
Throughout, we try to strike a balance between spiritual and humanist
approaches.
BUUF is located on 4.2 acres near the Boise River in Garden City. There
are gardens, a grove, woodland paths, a waterfall, a labyrinth, a
children's play area, and a hand-carved bridge across the stream.
Members of the congregation tend the showcase-designed gardens that
feature native and drought-tolerant plantings.
Our campus buildings presently include a main fellowship hall with
offices, kitchen, and nursery, and two newly-completed classroom wings.
A new sanctuary building is to be added in the future. We actively
encourage other community organizations to use our facilities.
The Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship has been a dynamic part of
the Treasure Valley since the 1950s, officially joining the Unitarian
Universalist Association in 1961. We moved to our present home in 1998.
Sunday Services
BUUF's services combine ritual, music, contemplation, sermons,
presentations, and congregational discussion, followed by that staunch
UU tradition—coffee hour.
Sermons—both from our minister and from guest speakers—cover
a wide range of topics from intellectual and
world concerns to spiritual and personal experiences. The first Sunday
of each month during our church year, September through May, we
celebrate with one service at 10:00 a.m., followed by a potluck. All
other Sunday mornings we have two matching services, at 9:00 and 11:00
a.m.
During June, July, and August we hold a single 10:00 a.m. service
conducted by members, friends, and guests.
Children's Religious Education (RE)
We offer a full program of Religious Education for
children from preschool through high school under the direction of
two professional directors of RE.
Nursery care and classes for preschool through sixth grade are offered
at both services. The Junior and Senior High classes meet at 11:00 a.m.
We teach our children tolerance and compassion, and provide an
unprejudiced guide to understanding the world's religions. We also
offer teens (subject to parents' permission) a balanced approach to sex
education through the outstanding
Our
Whole Lives (OWL) Program. Junior High youth have the option of
participating in the biennial Coming of Age program and the biennial
pilgrimage to Boston.
Music
Music
is an integral part of life at BUUF. There is music at all
services and at many special events. The broad range includes
congregational hymns, choir performances, instrumental and vocal
contributions by members and friends, and occasional guest artists.
Ways to get involved
To underscore the value of community, we offer many opportunities to
further enrich individual lives and strengthen the fabric of our
Treasure Valley.
Adult Education
Fall, winter, and spring, BUUF offers many
adult Education classes and workshops
to members, friends, and the community at large. Topics vary from
religious studies and environmental courses to personal development
seminars and theme cooking classes.
Ongoing activities
Unitarian Universalist orientation classes
Small Group Ministry (Chalice Circles)
Fireside chats and lunches with the minister
Senior Sages breakfast discussion group
Seminars and workshops
Welcoming Congregation presentations
Fun stuff
Book clubs
Dances
Annual family camping trip
Junior high educational and historical trips
Solstice celebrations
Adult trips to Romania!
Volunteer opportunities
Religious education teachers
Youth leaders
Pastoral care
Artists
Community service
Social action
Gardeners
Our Professional Staff
Our minister
Reverend Elizabeth Greene has served at the Boise Unitarian Universalist
Fellowship since 1988. A former educator, she graduated from the
Unitarian Universalist Seminary Starr King School for the Ministry.
Elizabeth is the Pacific Northwest District
Trustee to the Unitarian Universalist Association and is active in
the Interfaith Alliance.
Elizabeth performs as a choral singer, writes thoughtful
columns for the Idaho Statesman, and is a frequent speaker
at community events.
Our Director of Religious Education
Emmie Schlobohm has been attending BUUF since 1993.
She was raised in the Jewish tradition and has explored and honored many
other faith traditions throughout her life. She has been the music
coordinator, served on the Board as Vice President and President, and
has been involved in the Religious Exploration program as a teacher, RE
Committee member, Coming of Age mentor, and Boston Bounder chaperone.
Emmie strongly believes that BUUF's RE program is a place where people
of all ages can find their inner whimsy, wonder and awe—where
children are wise and adults can play.
Our Music Director
Carrie Bastian begain leading our adult choir in 2004,
and now serves as Music Director, coordinating volunteer and guest
musicians, and performing with being hUUman, our "house
band." She is a Boise School District music teacher.
Looking for a church home?
People of every age, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender identity
are welcome at BUUF.
We invite you to join us in our services and activities. You can
participate to any degree and in any way you want, whether as occasional
visitor, friend, or formal member.
If, after you have attended for a while, and perhaps been involved in
a few activities, you are seriously considering membership, here is the
path to membership we ask you to follow:
-
Complete the New UU class or an alternative that will provide a
foundation and understanding of the history of the
UU Principles and
Purposes and an understanding of the governance and operations of
this Fellowship
-
Meet with the minister or designee, and representatives from the
Stewardship and Membership committees, to gain an understanding of the
advantages and responsibilities of membership.
-
Find ways to participate regularly in the BUUF community as able.
This includes a pursuit of spiritual, intellectual, and aesthetic
fulfillment by attending worship services. It also may include joining
a social group, becoming involved on a committee, volunteering to help
at special events, helping at the facility, participation in RE as an
adult or with children, or any other activity that enriches and supports
the new member and the congregation.
-
Respect the principles and purposes of the UUA, and the mission and
covenant of the Fellowship.
-
Provide monetary support by completing an annual pledge form and/or
volunteer service to this community as able. We ask members to complete
a pledge form whether or not they are currently able to pledge.
-
Sign the membership book.
For further information, please contact the BUUF office. We look forward
to meeting you.
