About FUUF

As part of the Unitarian Universalist Association,
FUUF is a warm and welcoming community that accepts a
covenant and a set of principles, rather than a dogma, doctrine, or creed.
As a lay-led congregation, our leadership is made up of members
who have committed to act in alignment with both.

our purpose

The purpose of our Fellowship shall be the development and enrichment of human lives through service, study, fellowship, and inclusive spirituality; and to bring the love and grace of Unitarian Universalism to our people, our community and our world.

our leaders

Board of directors

Officers:
President: Judy Plumery
Vice-President: Lydia Swagerty
Secretary: Ali Balter
Treasurer: Sally Wantz

Members at Large:
Tuvia Chai
Jim Henry
Christine Frances
Rick Cote
Katie Mueller

Visiting ministers

Rev. Dr. Ruth L. Miller
Rev. Donna Smith

Intern: UU Ministerial Chaplain Jesse Ford

team leaders

Building Use: Debra Jordan
Facebook: Jim McDiarmid, Ray Plumery, Stanley, Judy Plumery
Florence Outdoor Group (FOG): Debra Jordan
FUUF Animal Ministry: Stanley
Free Lunch Program: Karen Hernandez
Membership: Judy Plumery
Music: Jeff Lovejoy, Christine Frances
Newsletter: Judy Plumery
Pastoral Care: Rick Cote
Events: Ruth Baumrucker
Publicity: Jennifer French, Ruth Baumrucker
Sunday Service Team: Sally Wantz
Social Justice: John Raymonda, Jim McDiarmid, Jim Henry
Technology: [email protected]

our covenant, principles & Bylaws

Covenant of Good and Faithful Relations
To my Fellow Congregants, I promise to:

Welcome and appreciate the diversity of people and ideas which surround me here at FUUF.
Be kind and compassionate, nurturing and supportive.
Express appreciation for others’ efforts and contributions.
Speak and act with care, courtesy, and a loving heart.
Raise concerns bravely, promptly, gently, and directly with those involved; and recognize that I am asking others to do the same with me.
Listen to understand rather than to judge or prove a point, and avoid hasty responses.
Trust in the good will of others, and respect and value every person in our congregation during times of agreement and disagreement.
Speak out with loving kindness when I witness disrespectful interactions.
Forgive myself and others when we fail to keep these promises, and then begin again in love and faith.
Bring my sense of joy, humor and fun to the Fellowship.

To my Florence UU Fellowship, I promise to:

Give generously within my means of my time, talents and resources to my Fellowship and the greater community.
Participate actively and respectfully in the democratic process by which this religious community governs itself.
Abide by congregational decisions arrived at through the collective wisdom of this process, and follow agreed-upon policies and procedures of the congregation.
Participate actively and balance my focus between congregational process issues, personal growth and outward social justice related endeavors.
Provide encouragement, express gratitude and allow appropriate discretion, with accountability, to Fellowship leaders as defined by the By-Laws.
Support the overall good of the congregation in times of ease and times of difficulty.

By making these promises, I seek to do my part in creating a sacred space where each one of us has the opportunity to be appreciated; to share our unique gifts; and to be challenged to become more generous, to grow, to learn, and to serve, ever-mindful of our common goals.
May this Covenant be a well-respected touchstone, enriching our relationships and inspiring our efforts to build a better world.

Seven Principles
Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote seven Principles, which we hold as strong values and moral guides.
We live out these Principles within a “living tradition” of wisdom and spirituality, drawn from sources as diverse as science, poetry, scripture, and personal experience.
As Rev. Barbara Wells ten Hove explains, “The Principles are not dogma or doctrine, but rather a guide for those of us who choose to join and participate in Unitarian Universalist religious communities.”

This means that we affirm and promote the following:

The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

Florence Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Bylaws
These bylaws were adopted on June 3rd, 2018 and revised February 24th, 2024 Link: bylaws 2024.pdf

our community partners

FUUFers are generous in contributing their time, talent, and treasures to organizations throughout Florence. For over a decade FUUF has included a collection for nonprofit organizations along with our regular Sunday offerings.

ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORTED IN 2024/2025

Florence Food Share
KXCR Community Radio
Humane Society
Friends of Florence
Cold Weather Shelter
Senior Center Activity Center

CARING FOR OUR MEMBERS & FRIENDS

Members of FUUF have long provided support for each other through the hard times. Our Pastoral Care Team offers listening, visits, and occasional transportation for members and "special friends" who are needing an extra hand.

Rick Cote leads the team, assisted by a few others - and is always open to receiving more help.

FUUF Pastoral Care Information Booklet
Click on the image to download the most recent version as a pdf.

Our history

Our Congregation was founded on October 28, 1998, by Gordon “Jay” Goodwin. Jay had placed an advertisement in the Siuslaw News calling for anyone who might be interested in Unitarian Universalism to meet in the library on that date. About a dozen people showed up.

For several years, the fellowship met in different living rooms, and sometimes in other churches, mostly in the evening with potlucks.

In June of 2004, FUUF was approved to join the Unitarian Universalist Association. Then, in July of 2007, we moved into our present location and began offering regular Sunday morning services as well as classes - and potlucks.

We continue to grow, and have a mailing list, our "circle of friends," of over 200 people, with an average attendance of about 40 on Sundays.

We record our Sunday programs and upload them onto our YouTube channel.

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