In addition to our Teams and Committees that fulfill vital church roles, First Unitarian Society of Ithaca offers many “Affinity Groups” as a way for congregants to socialize and create community. Our programs and activities are open to all who wish to share in this church and its vital commitment to liberal religion. Affinity Group information and contact information is below. You are also welcome to contact the church administrator with questions at 607-273-7521 or office@uuithaca.org. Please also see our Volunteer Opportunities.

BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP meets on the first Friday of each month at 12:30 pm. The discussion is led by one of the group members, who brings to the group book reviews and in-depth information about the author. After that there is open discussion about the book and author. To find out more, contact Florence Smith at fbarrthims@gmail.com.

CHOIR. Beginners to experienced singers welcome! The choir performs in the service occasionally and rehearses Thursdays at 7 pm in the Annex. Contact Music Director, Stephanie Ortolano at music@uuithaca.org.

DINER’S CLUB meets approximately once a month from November through April on a rotating basis for dish-to-pass dinners and conversation in members’ homes. The groups range in size from six to ten people and are always open to receive new participants. Contact Amelia Habicht at meels66@gmail.com. 

LABOR DAY UNIRONDACK WEEKEND Enjoy this member-organized, intergenerational, fun-filled weekend in the Adirondacks. Share your talents, passions, and expertise! Contact office@uuithaca.org.

LIVING WITH CHRONIC ILLNESS SUPPORT GROUP We offer peer-to-peer support and resource sharing in a small-group virtual setting to persons who suffer from chronic illness and/or pain. The group is now entirely folks with one of the following diagnoses:  FMS, ME/CFS, MCS, and Long COVID, so the discussion is most useful to folks with one or more of the listed problems. We meet by Zoom on the second Wednesday of the month from 3:00 to 4:30 pm. The meetings are facilitated by Judy Jones, who sends out the zoom link on the day of the meeting. For further information, call Judy at 607-273-2760 or Dianne Ferriss at 607-272-6896.

MEN’S GROUP generally meets on the fourth Monday of each month. All who identify as male are invited to join us from 7:00-8:30 pm. For information or questions contact Carsten Hess at carsten@hess.net or Fred Balfour at fred.balfour@gmail.com.

THE BEATRIX POTTER LIBRARY is located on the second floor of the Parish House (306 N. Aurora St.) next to the RE office and is available to everyone. This library is primarily a source of books on the liberal religious quest in general and Unitarian Universalism in particular. There is no fee and information describing the informal checkout procedures is available at the library.

The UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST UKELELE UNION (UUUU).  This group, with the twin missions of having fun and building community both within the First Unitarian Society of Ithaca and beyond, plays together approximately monthly at church services and other events around town. Contact Music Director Stephanie Ortolano at music@uuithaca.org to get on our email list.

WOMEN’S CIRCLE generally meets on the fourth Monday of each month from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.  All who identify as women are welcome. Anyone is welcome to bring a poem or a reading. For information or questions contact Nancy Miller at ananda7733@gmail.com or 607 539 7733.  The group is currently meeting by Zoom. Please email Nancy for the Zoom link.