Unitarian Society of Northampton, Florence MA

These quick links can help you find a specific groups and activities in the long page below. To explore all our different groups and activities, simply scroll down!

• ADULT CHOIR
• CHILDREN'S CHOIR
• COFFEE HOUR
• FIRST FRIDAY—FRIENDS, FOOD, and FUN
• GROVE STREET INN MEAL SERVERS
• HAMPSHIRE COUNTY INTERFAITH HELP FUND
• INTERFAITH COT SHELTER
• PASTORAL FRIENDS
• SMALL GROUP MINISTRY
• STANDING ON THE SIDE OF LOVE
• UU JAZZ BAND
• UUSUAL SUSPECTS
• YOUNG ADULT GROUP
• YOUTH GROUP

Looking for something that's not here? Check our Committees page, our Social Action section, or contact the Coordinating Council ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) for help. 

ADULT CHOIR: The choir rehearses on most Thursday evenings and sings approximately monthly at Sunday morning services.  Consult Sunday Times Calendar for schedule.  Contact Gregory Hayes (Director of Music), This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are interested in joining the choir.

CHILDREN'S CHOIR: The Children's Choir sings in the Sunday morning service several times a year.  Rehearsals are between services on Sunday morning.  Children of all ages and abilities welcome.  Guitar or piano accompanists would be welcome.

COFFEE HOUR: This is our chance to greet old friends and meet new ones.  Coffee Hour takes place between services when there are two services, or after the service when there is one service.  Sunday coffee hosts are needed each week. It is expected that all members will sign up to serve coffee at least once a year.  Most people sign up in pairs; committees are also encouraged to sign up.  This is a great way to meet people!  Instructions for hosting coffee hour.

FIRST FRIDAY—FRIENDS, FOOD AND FUN! The Stewardship Committee hosts this get-together the first Friday of each month in the Social Room.  A light dinner is provided, and there is an activity that promotes fellowship and connections among older and newer members and friends.  The gathering is intergenerational and all are welcome.

GROVE STREET INN MEAL SERVERS: This group provides meals on a regular schedule to Northampton’s shelter for homeless individuals, the Grove Street Inn.  Meals are prepared at the Society and then brought to the shelter.  We cook on the 3rd Tuesday of every month so this is a 1 – 2 hour commitment per month.

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY INTERFAITH HELP FUND: This group works with other religious organizations to provide one-time emergency financial assistance to residents of Hampshire County who have exhausted their own resources.

INTERFAITH EMERGENCY COT SHELTER: Provides volunteer assistance to the staff of the cot shelter one night a week from November 1 to April 30.  We organize one or two teams a month to cook and serve food for about 24 people.  The YRUU youth serve on one team a month and the other team is available as needed.

PASTORAL FRIENDS: The Pastoral Friends work with the minister, the staff and the congregation to provide pastoral care to members and friends experiencing difficult times.  The coordinators keep a list of those willing to provide rides and meals, make visits and do errands.  We meet once or twice a year to support one another and are in frequent telephone contact.

SMALL GROUP MINISTRIES: This is a wonderful opportunity for newcomers and long time members to get to know others in the congregation on a deeper level. Participants commit to once-a-month meetings, starting in October and running through June.  These are facilitated groups that offer an opportunity to discuss spiritual topics from a heart space, allowing us to know each other in a new way.  Sign up in September to be assured space in a group.  However, new members are accepted through December. Download the SGM brochure.

STANDING ON THE SIDE OF LOVE (SOSOL): USNF's Standing on the Side of Love group welcomes all members, friends and allies who want to take action to support the mission of the UUA's Standing on the Side of Love campaign.  According to its website, "Standing on the Side of Love is a public advocacy campaign that seeks to harness love’s power to stop oppression. It is sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Association and all are welcomed to join."  Find out more about what we are doing by visiting USNF's Standing on the Side of Love blog on this site, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , and/or join the USNF SOSOL group on Facebook. 

UU JAZZ BAND:  USNF's own group of talented amateur jazz musicians. 

UUSUAL SUSPECTS: The UUsual Suspects is made up of people who are willing to volunteer to help out with a specific project or at a specific time, occasionally. Volunteer to join them if you don't have time to commit to an ongoing involvement with a committee or project, if you have an unpredictable schedule, or if you're committed to too many things already to take on another ongoing role. Committees and anyone organizing a USNF event or project can call on the UUsual Suspects when an extra set of hands is needed. Remember, if you join—it's always OK to say no to a request! 

YOUNG ADULT GROUP: The Young Adult Group is for UU members and friends aged 18-35. Find the Young Adult Group on Facebook. 

YOUTH GROUP: Our highly valued Youth Group is for high school aged youth. It is part of our Religious Education program. For more information, visit our Youth Group page or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .