Years ago, I heard about instead of sitting in pews, listening to the wisdom of our UU teachings, singing hymns and all the “regular” components of worship, her congregation met in a common space and some assembled care packages for the area homeless while others knit gloves to include in them.

During the church year ever since 2023, our 5th Sunday worship services will transform into a full congregational action project. These Sundays will provide us with the opportunity
to LIVE the wisdom of our faith.

What will this look like?

– Multigenerational Fellowship: All ages and skill levels are invited to participate. Nursery care will be available.
– Following our Service, we will share in a potluck lunch together.
– All our 5th Sunday “Service Services” are scheduled during the regular worship hour. No need to put any reminders in your calendar!
– We will aid the work of local organizations projects with either option:
– An off-site activity for those who are willing and able to travel to a location in the community; and
– An option to stay in Fellowship Hall for a project that supports the organization we are serving.

Roughly, the typical 5th Sunday will begin by lighting our chalice in the sanctuary. We will invite offerings that will be donated to a UU organization (directly or somewhat related to the local work we will be doing.) Next, we will process to the Fellowship Hall where the specific project will be described, car-pooling will assemble and then we will get to work! Once complete, we will extinguish the chalice and sit for a communal lunch.

Travel: Announcements will be made letting you all know the location of the off-site project with a request to offer any available seats you may have.

There will be Zoom broadcasting of the activities and ways for those at home to participate, although we are wanting as many people as possible to join in person.

It is our hope that these “Service Services” will be enjoyed and appreciated.

Volunteers to coordinate transportation or facilitate in house activities are always welcome.

Our underlying intentions are Love, Justice, Inclusivity and Support mixed with a good dose of getting our feet out there where our mouths say we are.

For more information on this or any of the Education Programs at BRUU, get in touch anytime – dre@bruu.org

See also:
Sunday Services: Worship Each Week at BRUU
Sermon Archives

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Here’s a, example of Fifth Sunday services:

– August 9, 2026: Fill the Backpack, School Supply project

– July 27, 2025: Backpack Sunday packaged supplies for Sinclair Elementary students.

– March 31, 2024: Trail Maintenance and Garden Cleaning with the Prince William Conservation Alliance. On site activity assembled “seed bombs” and other gifts to share with our local ecosystem.  (Fifth Sunday Share-the-Plate offering was donated to UU Ministry for the Earth)

– October 29, 2023: SERVE Family Emergency Shelter, the largest in the region, provides emergency housing to 90 adults and children here in Manassas. BRUU members prepared an after Thanksgiving Brunch including quiches, hash brown casserole, french toast along with fresh fruit and yogurt. (Fifth Sunday Share the Plate offering was donated to UU Disaster Relief)

– July 30, 2023: We filled 50 back packs with required school supplies for Sinclair Elementary School. Recipients of the back packs are students who receive free lunches based on financial need.  (Fifth Sunday Share-the-Plate offering was donated to Black Lives UU.