Welcome to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Stillwater

We invite you to look around and get a feel for our church. We are a Welcoming Congregation. You will not be pressured into conversation or membership. We welcome you just as you are. Our members, friends, and guests include Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Pagans, humanists, atheists, agnostics, skeptics, seekers, singles, couples, families, heterosexuals, gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people, of different races, ethnic backgrounds, national origins and socio-economic circumstances.

If you're not currently a member of our church - we'd like to take this opportunity to invite you to one of our weekly services and/or covenant groups.

President’s Message - June 2025

We are at the beginning of our new fiscal year. To all who made a pledge, this is when your pledge actually starts. To those who missed the window, you didn’t miss a thing; you can pledge any time. Our pledge drive in the spring was successful, and our congregation is supportive, so we are ready to embark on an ambitious, fun and productive year. The RE Committee (Religious/ Spiritual Experience Committee), headed by Roger Tuller is planning Forums, drumming events, discussion groups, and maybe even travel to promote the religious and spiritual experience we all seek. A new idea that caught my attention is to have a “Discussion Table” during social time, right after the service. The Discussion Table meets two needs, a place to sit and talk about the sermon and a place to eat when the social room is overflowing. The Discussion Table will be near the entrance to the Forum Room. In the next few months we will begin installing new AV equipment to improve the video and acoustic experience in the sanctuary and to improve our online streaming. capability. Once again I am asking for volunteers to help. We need anyone with interest or experience in audio equipment, computers, or youtube to help me put this together and keep it working dependably. Interest and dependability are more important than knowledge or experience. Please help if you can. Once again active, generous, loving people have come forward to volunteer time and effort as committee chairs. Please see the list below and offer your service to help them get the work done. 

Committee Chairs for 2025-2026: Caring Committee – Sandi Shultz Membership Committee – Susan Bullard and Mark Christian Religious/Spirituality Experience – Roger Tuller Hospitality – Rebecca Brienen Events and Fundraising – Shari Kern Sunday Service – Shiitake Mama Building and Grounds – John Little Outreach (including Social Action) – Donna Sinnes AV Committee – no one yet 

Mike Smolen

Sunday Service 

Sunday services begin at 10:30 and generally conclude before noon. Services are followed by socializing and a smorgasbord of different foods, arranged with minimal planning. If you prefer to watch the service online, we share it by Facebook Live at  https://www.facebook.com/uuchstillwater . From Facebook, you will not be able to see the Trail Markers portion of the service or interact with others, but everything else is the same.

Sunday, July 6, 2025 - Rev. Mark Christian, "Radical Roots"

This will be the first in a series of six sermons on UU history. The UU Church began at the beginning of Protestant Christianity. We took what’s called the radical Reformation. Join me as I discuss our radical roots. 

Reverend Christian is a third generation Unitarian Universalist and speaks to us on the fourth Sundays and alternate first Sundays. He has served congregations in OKC and in Las Cruces NM, prior to moving to Stillwater. Before his career in ministry he had a career in radio broadcasting.

Sunday, July 13, 2025 - Rev. Catherine Shearer, "Listen to What You Say" 

Reverend Shearer is an ordained Disciples of Christ minister and a psychotherapist in Oklahoma City. She speaks in our pulpit on the second Sunday of each month. 

Sunday, July 20, 2025 - Rev. Susan Ross, "I Don't Like Responsive Readings?

Why do we do what we do in our service on Sunday mornings? Why do some of us call it worship but others of us don't use that term? What is the point of all of it? 

Reverend Ross, ordained as a United Methodist minister, is our pastoral care minister and speaks on the third and fifth Sundays of the month. She also works for the Stillwater Public Library. 

Sunday, July 27, 2025 - Rev. Mark Christian, "Changing Wingds, Shifting Sands"

What happens when change happens so quickly or so drastically that you can no longer recognize the world around you? Join me as I consider our changing world. 

Reverend Christian is a third generation Unitarian Universalist and speaks to us on the fourth Sundays and alternate first Sundays. He has served congregations in OKC and in Las Cruces NM, prior to moving to Stillwater. Before his career in ministry he had a career in radio broadcasting. 

Announcements & Events

Information about upcoming special events can be found under the "What's Happening" section. See Upcoming Events. 

Plastic Free July 

This is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, and beautiful communities. Let's each be part of Plastic Free July by choosing to refuse single-use plastics. 

Drumming Forum - July 13

Please join us Sunday, July 13th 12:15 - 1:30 at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 320 S. Stallard St., Stillwater. for a drumming forum led by Tana Del Prete, Donald Brown, Kerri Farnsworth and Al Saloha. No prior skill needed to join us in another West African rhythm drumming circle. We will provide “drums" and sticks--just bring yourself to learn a traditional West African rhythm. Drum Fun!

Meaningful Movie Night July 15

Meaningful Movie Night is happening again this month! On Tuesday, July 15th, at 6:00 PM we're showing What Dreams May Come at the church. Folks are encouraged to bring their own "brown bag" supper and/or popcorn. 

Sherri Barnard Graveside Memorial Services and Celebration of Life Dinner - Saturday, July 26

The service will be at 10:00 am at Oak Grove Cemetery, Coyle, OK, and following will be the celebration of life dinner at the Elks Lodge, Stillwater. 

Dancing Turtle July 25 - 27

This three-day funky, friendly arts festival’s third year coincides with the grand opening of Block 34 in downtown Stillwater. Go to dancingturtle.org to see all the action and venues. 

UUCS Rummage Sales - Friday August 8, 4:00-8:00pm and Saturday August 9, 8:00-3:00pm with Art Auction at 1:00pm

• Please bring donated items to the church Monday the 3rd – Friday the 8th

• Small furniture & Tools 

• Gently used clothing Books, Toys & Games Household goods & Décor 

• Plants & Baked goods 

Call for Artists! We invite UU members, friends, and local artists to contribute original art pieces to our curated Art Auction at 1 pm on Saturday August 9th There is a signup sheet in the social room for volunteers on Sunday, August 3 1:00-3:00; Friday, August 8 9:00-5:00; Saturday, August 9 8:00-4:00; and Monday, August 11 2:00-3:00. The signup sheet includes various tasks and time slots. 

Upcoming Covenant Groups

Information about each of our covenant groups can be found in "Our Gatherings" section.

Reports and other Items of Interest

Report on October 2024 Congregational Retreat 

Pastoral Care

Struggling? Need help? Or maybe you know someone who does? No question about it--it's a difficult time right now. Our Care Committee and Rev. Susan Ross, our Pastoral Care Minister, are still available to help you with whatever difficulties you're facing. We're only a phone call away! And if you are having trouble attending the Zoom services or Zoom meetings, we can try to help you get connected. Please contact us: Rev. Susan Ross: or 405-714-0064 or Susan Bullard (co-chair with Mia Owens): or 405-742-6529.

There are times when people aren’t sure if it is appropriate to contact the Pastoral Minister, or they are concerned that they may be interrupting something. Please know that the needs and concerns of the members and friends of this congregation are important to me. That is what the Pastoral Care Minister’s work is all about! The following is a list of occasions when it might be appropriate to contact me:

1) When you don’t know her but would like to.

2) When you have problems you’d like to discuss, job, children, marriage or anything else where a sympathetic ear might be of help.

3) When you are going into the hospital, or when someone close to you is going in, or when you know of someone else in the church going in.

4) When someone close to you has died or is critically ill.

5) When you are planning on getting married.

6) When you would like to have your child or children dedicated.

7) When you would like to know more about Unitarian Universalism.

8) When you are considering joining the church.

9) When you would like to help in committee work or join a covenant group.

10) When it is the middle of the night, and you are in some sort of trouble and you don’t know who else to call.”

Some of these are a little different for me (like numbers 7 & 8), since my background and training is United Methodist rather than UU. But I know who to ask about those, or who to refer you to! And, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected how I am able to respond to the other concerns. I do, however, still want to respond: we could talk on the phone, Facetime, communicate by email, or do a Zoom talk. And there are needs that will no doubt come up at this time that aren't on this list: when you are needing a break from only talking to yourself or your pets, or a break from talking to your family; when you are struggling with fears or doubts about the situation we are in, when you need help with something, when you know of needs that the Pastor's Emergency Fund might help meet.

Also, if you are interested in trying to be a part of, or at least listen to, the services we are now trying to make happen on Sunday mornings, and can't figure out how to do that, let me know and I will do my best to help. You can be a part of that service, or listen to it, by phone (audio only), by smart phone with audio and visual, by computer, and by tablet. And I think we are trying to have a recorded version of it available afterwards as well.