Social Events & Meals

The National Conference offers opportunities for learning, but some of the most valuable and treasured moments that participants experience happen outside the workshops and formal learning. Unexpected and new connections are made over conversation at dinner, or during choir rehearsal. Relationships are renewed when we see one another at national conferences.

At this 2018 Conference, take advantage of the social and meal times to talk with someone you haven't met before, and to affirm existing connections. We've built in more time in the schedule for meals, to make space for social time!

Social Events:

Friday, May 18: 9:15 pm, Phoenix Bar & Grill - After the Opening Ceremony, bring your instruments and talents, and join in a UU coffee house. Hosted by the First Unitarian Church of Hamilton.

Saturday, May 19: CIBC Hall - At each national conference, the host congregation presents entertainment that has ranged from jazz to dancing to bands to performance artists. This year, the First Unitarian Church of Hamilton invites you to sit back and enjoy their "UUs Got Talent" show.

Young adults (18-35) are invited to join in YA-specific social events throughout the weekend, in addition to time spent in multigen community. See the Young Adult program page for more!

Meals:

Two meals to note are the Sunday Multigenerational Lunch, where the children and the youth will be part of the conference, and the Sunday night banquet. During the multigen lunch, you are encouraged to sit at a table with a range of ages and get to know someone of another generation. At the 2016 Conference, we enjoyed a rousing game of Family FeUUd that got everyone talking about their favourite hymns and youth con games. What's in store for this year's lunch? You'll have to join us to find out!

The Sunday night banquet is an occasion for celebration and for bringing the weekend to a close. Awards will be presented, and Sharing Our Faith and Theological Education Funds grants will be given. You'll want to be there! The Sunday night banquet is included with full conference, Sunday and Young Adult registrations.

After the banquet and celebration, we'll continue the tradition of a lively hymn singalong, lead by First Unitarian Hamilton's Rachel Derry.

Lay Chaplain lunch: On Saturday, lay chaplains, current and retired, can come together for lunch. The lunch is free to new and retired lay chaplains in the last year, and $15 for all other lay chaplains. Choose this option on the Adult registration form.