Adult Spiritual Formation at UUCB
As adults, we often find ourselves shifting in our beliefs and asking new questions about the universe and our place in it. Many of us also seek spiritual practices and experiences that help us feel grounded and connected in our daily lives.
Adult Spiritual Formation at UUCB provides opportunities to explore these questions with others.
We offer several different Adult Spiritual Formation Events throughout the church year.
All our programs are open to newcomers, longtime members and friends, and anyone interested in learning more about Unitarian Universalism. This year, we will offer Chalice Circles, workshops, spiritual practices, and group discussions. Many of these programs will use resources from the UUA’s Love at the Center and Woven Faith programs to help us explore our Unitarian Universalist identities and six shared values: Justice, Equity, Transformation, Pluralism, Interdependence, and Generosity—with Love at the center.
Chalice Circles
Chalice Circles are small groups of adults who meet regularly with a trained facilitator. Each meeting includes a chalice lighting, a check-in, a centering reading, and time to reflect on a topic and share from personal experience.
Topics may include forgiveness, loneliness, healing, spiritual practices, fear, and living simply. No advance preparation is required.
Chalice Circles provide a setting where participants can speak honestly and know that they will be heard without criticism or unsolicited advice. The practices of sharing, listening, and respectful silence help participants form meaningful connections and deepen their spiritual lives.
Chalice Circles are open to UUCB members and friends age 18 and older. Learn more here.
Love at the Center
During the 2026–27 church year, UUCB will participate in the UUA Common Read, Love at the Center: Unitarian Universalist Theologies, edited by UUA President the Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt.
The book includes essays from more than two dozen UU leaders who consider what it means to place love at the center of our faith. The essays represent a variety of UU beliefs and experiences, including theology grounded in the natural world, justice work, relationships, loss, worship, and everyday life.
Our programs will use discussion guides, workshops, and other resources connected to the book. Participants will be invited to consider what love means to them, how love relates to our six UU values, and what putting love at the center asks of us. You will not need to read the entire book to take part in every program.
Woven Faith: Living Our UU Values
UUCB will also use resources from the UUA’s new Woven Faith program.
Woven Faith is a lifespan curriculum designed to help UUs learn about and practice our shared values. It includes resources for children, youth, adults, parents, committees, worship, fellowship, leadership, and justice work.
One of the program’s central ideas is that “the congregation is the curriculum.” This means that we learn about Unitarian Universalism through all parts of congregational life—not only through classes. Worship, relationships, leadership practices, accessibility, caring ministries, and justice work all shape how we understand and experience our faith.
Adult programs will use Woven Faith resources to explore how our UU values relate to our lives, our congregation, and the wider community.
Why Is It Called “Lifelong Spiritual Formation”?
Spiritual formation is more than learning about religion. It is the ongoing process of exploring what we believe, developing spiritual practices, building relationships, and learning to live our values.
In September 2024, UUCB renamed its Religious Exploration program Lifelong Spiritual Formation. The new name reflects the expansion of the program to include adult offerings alongside programming for children and youth. It also recognizes that spiritual growth and learning continue throughout our lives.
If you have questions about any of the Adult Spiritual Formation offerings, please email our Lifelong Spiritual Formation Director at: .