Our Fellowship Programs
At the Durham Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, our Sunday morning programs are a cornerstone of our community, reflecting our commitment to diverse perspectives and meaningful engagement. Join us each Sunday from 10 – 11:00 AM near downtown Durham, as we explore a rich tapestry of insights and connections.
If you are searching for greater meaning, and connection to community, please join us Sundays from 10 – 11:00 AM, followed by a coffee hour with conversation and refreshments. We meet the first Sunday after Labor Day through the last Sunday in May, and hold our annual picnic during May.
What to expect?
During the first hour enjoy music, the sharing of joys and concerns, and unique, community-based programs with local speakers, artists, musicians, civic and spiritual leaders. All programs include time set aside for participant comments, questions and discussion. The program is followed by an opportunity to collaborate and socialize over coffee and snacks.
Upcoming Services
Oct 5th “Climate Change and Optimism,” Mary Downes.
When even the term “climate change” can induce feelings of dread, guilt and existential angst, all around us are examples of resilience, adaptation and innovation. Mary will help us explore how climate change affects us individually and as a community, and what role we can play in helping prepare for and adapt to the impact of climate change.
Mary has been involved in social justice movements since the 1980s. Her interest in the role of energy in climate change began in earnest after her first child was born in 1997. After earning her masters in Resource Administration at UNH in 2010, she worked for the NH State Energy Office, served on the Goffstown and Durham Energy Committees, was a board member and chair of NH Sustainable Energy Association in its early days (before it became Clean Energy NH) and has administered Unitil’s energy efficiency programs as part of Mass Save and NHSaves for the past 13 years.
Oct 12th “Surviving Hardship”
Kirk Simoneau is a New Hampshire trial lawyer and writer who speaks and writes about surviving hardship with honesty and clarity. Raised by Deaf parents and shaped by a life that includes trauma, loss, and disability, he brings a personal and practical perspective to questions of identity, resilience, and meaning. His work focuses on what it takes to live a brilliantly absurd life without toxic positivity, but with radical truth. Kirk lives, works, and writes in New Hampshire.
Oct 19th “It’s an old song…and we’re going to sing it again: The power and risks of telling old stories,” Rev. Jud Wolfskill
The musical Hadestown retells Greek mythology about love and loss, the miracle of changing seasons, and autocratic personalities. The narrator comments that the story represents “an old song” and “a sad song,” but “we’re going to sing it anyway.” There is even the chance that “it will turn out [well] this time.” Why sing old songs? Which songs give life and which limit life? Bio: Rev. Jud Wolfskill serves as Associate Minister at common cathedral, where he leads worship and provides pastoral care. Originally from SC, Jud moved to Massachusetts in 1997. Rev. Jud attended Boston University School of Theology. Previously, he served as a volunteer chaplain at Mass and Cass in Boston through Faith Leaders for Housing Justice. Conversant in Spanish, Jud cares deeply about immigration and housing justice. He lives in Natick, MA with his wife, two kids, one dog, and three cats. When he’s not theologizing, he designs software and plays basketball.
Oct 26th “Not in My Name,” Bob Sanders
Bob first biked across the USA in 1975 when — he was a student at Oberlin College — a year before the “bike-centennial,” a feat memorialized in Newsday, his first published article. After a period of activist journalism – 1978-1985 — Bob joined the mainstream media working as the Syracuse Post Standard, starting up Granite News Service in New Hampshire and reporting for the NH Business Review for 30 years, where he won numerous awards, including the NH Journalist of the year in 2019. After retiring in 2023, Bob planned to recreate his X-country trip, only this time for a cause.
That cause came along five months later: Israel’s catastrophic overreaction to the brutal October 7 attack. Bob felt that as a Jew, he must speak out against this ethnic cleansing and founded Not In My Name, NH. Bob was NIMN’s representative to the Coalition for a Just Peace in the Middle East. In 2024, he founded Ride Against War on Gaza (RAW GAZA), did a Tristate tour in Northern New England and NH-DC tour from Concord to Washington DC. In both trips combined, he cycled a total of 1500 miles and raised $10,000 for humanitarian aid in peace groups.
Exploring Diverse Perspectives
As a lay-led congregation, our Sunday services are a dynamic fusion of voices. From clergy representing various faiths to speakers from academic, civic, environmental, and social justice backgrounds, our programs embrace a wide spectrum of perspectives. This diversity enhances our understanding of the seven principles of Unitarian Universalism, guiding us in the pursuit of wisdom, spirituality, and impactful daily actions.
A Haven for Friendship and Connection
Our fellowship goes beyond spiritual exploration; it’s a haven for friendship, connection, and shared values inspired by Unitarian principles. Experience a safe and inclusive environment that encourages genuine connections, community events, and a profound sense of belonging. Despite our modest exterior, our interior boasts a beautiful sanctuary, gifted by the Marjorie Milne Estate.
Our Gallery
Enriching Families and Children
One of our primary goals is to enrich individuals and families with young children. We provide a space where children can learn from their elders, explore spiritual topics, and understand the importance of inclusivity, equity, and justice.
Welcoming All Voices
We seek to be a place where each person’s unique worth and beliefs are acknowledged and respected, and where each person’s voice may be heard. Committed to providing a welcoming and safe space for all, we recognize the valuable perspectives of our LGBTQIA+ communities and allies.
Community Engagement
Beyond the sanctuary, our fellowship is a hub for community involvement. We prioritize sustainability within our sanctuary, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere for all. Guided by the principle of “respect for the interdependent web of all existence,” we actively participate in local charitable efforts. From fundraising and volunteering to providing community support, we extend our principles into tangible actions.