Learning and exploring spirituality never ends; it is a lifelong process. Here at UUSS we are committed to lifelong learning and development as we live by our fourth principle: “A free and responsible search for truth and meaning.” As a way to support the growth, development, and search of our community, we offer the following adult faith development opportunities.

Adult Faith Development Opportunities 2025-2026

Covenant Groups

Covenant Groups, (sometimes called Small Group Ministry) will be offered as a core part of the congregation’s Adult Faith Development Program for 2025-2026. Each group will include a trained facilitator and 5-9 participants who choose to commit to meet together explore meaningful topics, practice deep listening, and build relationships.

Covenant Groups are a great way to get to meet new people and deepen your connection within the community. Newcomers welcome!

How do Covenant Groups work?

Covenant groups are structured small groups who meet on a regular basis (once or twice a month, depending on the month,) to reflect on our spiritual topics such as joy, interdependence, faith, or equity. If you enjoy a smaller group setting or are looking to deepen your spiritual and community connection, a covenant group may be the right fit for you!

Click HERE for Spring 2026 Covenant Group details and registration information.

BIPOC Authors Reading & Discussion Group 

Read a novel, memoir, book of poetry, or other work by an author who is Black, Indigenous, or other Person of Color, and then gather on Zoom for an hour to discuss. Details of each month’s read & date of the discussion are posted in Circuits, the weekly email newsletter, and in the Events calendar on the homepage of this website.

UUA Common Read

The Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA) offers an annual common read and discussion guide. Previous books have included: The Third Reconstruction, by The Rev. Dr. William Barber; Just Mercy, by Bryan Stevenson; Behind the Kitchen Door, by Saru Jayaraman, and On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg. 

The 2025-26 UUA Common Read is Deepa Iyer’s Social Change Now: A Guide for Reflection and Connection (Skinner House). More info about the book can be seen HERE. UUSS programming on this TBA.

Getting to Know UU

The Fall 2025 Getting To Know UU program will be on 10/19, 10/26, & 11/2.
Dates for the spring program are not yet set, but you may contact Kristin Cleveland for information at info at uuschenectady dot org.

Whether you just came through the church doors or have spent years trying to figure this place out, this small group workshop addresses the basics of what it means to be an active Unitarian Universalist, and provides an opportunity to connect with others who share your interests while you explore our historic liberal faith tradition. Topics include UU history and theology, faith development, how we worship in a covenantal faith, and how we express our values through social justice. 

If questions, email Kristin Cleveland, the UUSS Congregational Life Coordinator. This class is a pre-requisite to the Membership Class.

Membership Class

— Register following completion of a Getting to Know UU class.
After our Getting to Know UU program, our Membership Class is the next step on the path to membership. This is a one-time Saturday morning class with others who have been on this journey toward membership.  The class covers the expectations for UU members as well as opportunities for you to express which programs or committees you feel drawn to.  The opportunity to make a commitment to membership is given at the end of class. For more information on our journey to membership, click here. Questions? Email the Congregational Life Coordinator at info at uuschenectady dot org.

See Circuits, the UUSS weekly email, for current offerings and current registration details. To subscribe to Circuits, fill out this FORM or contact Kristin Cleveland, UUSS Congregational Life Coordinator, at (518)374-4446 or info at uuschenectady dot org. 

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Would you like to run a program for adults to grow and learn?

Contact the Director of Lifespan Religious Education at info at uuschenectady dot org to discuss your idea and fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBsOccItei3toiiZAhH6gxX3YTWyca3q1hOYJ2LMM5oQ9uyw/viewform