Sundae Sunday

First Unitarian Universalist Society of Ithaca (UU Ithaca) had a crucial role in the creation of the ice cream sundae. According to VisitIthaca.com, the Ice Cream Sundae was invented by UU Ithaca treasurer Chester C. Platt and first eaten by UU Ithaca’s Rev. John Scott on April 3, 1892. This adds to our rich history of connectedness with Ithaca and the Tompkins County. In honor of this history, we serve ice cream sundaes to the community on the first Sunday after Labor Day.

Unirondack Labor Day Camping

Each year, members of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Ithaca gather at Unirondack Camp in the Adirondacks over Labor Day weekend for a community retreat. Unirondack offers a chance to step away from the pace of everyday life and spend time together in a different setting. The weekend brings together people of all ages for shared meals, time outdoors, and opportunities for connection across the congregation.

What the weekend is like

The schedule includes a mix of structured activities and open time. Over the course of the weekend, you might find yourself:

• Swimming or paddling in the lake
• Hiking or exploring the surrounding area
• Participating in group activities, discussions, or creative projects
• Gathering around the campfire for songs and stories
• Sharing meals prepared by members of the community
• Reading, relaxing, or simply enjoying time in nature
• There is also plenty of unstructured time to connect with others or spend time on your own.

Who attends

Unirondack is an all-ages gathering. Individuals, couples, and families all attend, and the weekend is designed to be welcoming and accessible whether you are new to the congregation or have been involved for many years.

Accommodations and setting

Most participants stay in rustic cabins with bunk beds, while some choose to camp. The setting is intentionally simple and close to nature.

Meals and community participation

Meals are shared and prepared by participants, with small teams helping to cook and clean up. This shared responsibility is part of how the weekend builds connection across the group.

When and how to register

Check back in the spring for registration information.

Stewart Park Picnic and Flower Communion

The last “regular” service of the year is held at Stewart Park on the second Sunday in June. We join together for our Flower Communion which is an annual ritual that celebrates beauty, human uniqueness, diversity, and community. In this ceremony, everyone in the congregation is encouraged to bring a flower, which is placed in a shared vase. The flowers are blessed and redistributed. This ceremony represents how the presence of each one of us changes our community and is also changed by our community. The ceremony also symbolically represents the different gifts that we each bring to the community.

This is followed by a potluck lunch by the beautiful Cayuga Lake.

Other Events

A list of weekly and one-time events can be found in the Weekly Announce email that is sent out every Wednesday (to be added to this list, email office@uuithaca.org) and on our Event page.