Chalice UUniversity

Come light the flame in yoUU! Matriculate at Chalice UUniversity!


The Lifespan Faith Development Committee, in conjunction with the Membership Committee and the Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Poughkeepsie, invites you to matriculate at Chalice UUniversity!


What is Chalice UUniversity? It’s the remarkably diverse range of programs offered for adults at the UU Fellowship of Poughkeepsie designed to foster personal development on many levels: spiritual, intellectual, emotional, communal and physical, often all at once, as Unitarian Universalist tend view the world holistically: we are all body, mind, heart and soul. 


Offerings vary from year to year, and might be led by the minister, interns, members or friends. This catalogue describes offerings as of November 2018. Check the Bulletin Board, Order of Service, UU News and Views (our monthly newsletter) and The Blast (a weekly bulletin) for even more current offerings and contacts.

Current offerings:

If you don’t see something that suits you, or you feel something is missing, the Lifespan Faith Development Committee welcomes proposals and suggestions. Here at Chalice UU, we know that students are often the best teachers.

  • Beading Group

    Do you like to bead but wish you had company? Do you need a little help or advice on your projects? Our beading group is continuing this Fellowship year. We meet at 6:30 PM on the second Monday of the month. It’s not a class: it’s a chance to bead together. Everyone brings their own projects and we offer help and advice and inspiration. We have also started work on a Spring Fundraiser if you are interested in helping. 

  • Bridge Club

    The Bridge Club started out as a class taught by member Nick Garin, which quickly evolved into a duplicate bridge game twice a month, on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, at 7pm. The game is competitive, but not overly strict with rules since there are players with quite different skill levels. There is still a teaching component, so anyone who wants to learn (or re-learn it if they grew up on Goren) and join in is welcome. There are delicious refreshments that seem to appear out of nowhere each time The Bridge Club meets, and the company is fantastic.

  • The Helen Baldwin Singers

    Music is integral to the life of the Fellowship, as it is integral to the human spirit. There are many ways to "plug in," if music holds special meaning for you. Our choral group, The Helen Baldwin Singers, directed by Mary Ann Osgood, performs at most services conducted by the Minister. The HB Singers present pieces from both classical and contemporary repertoires. Rehearsal is on selected Sunday mornings from 9:00am to 10:30am. 

  • Popcorn Theology

    The Lifespan Faith Development Committee is planning a new program, Popcorn Theology. Popcorn Theology takes the concept of movie night to explore issues of spirituality and ethics for Unitarian Universalists. Keep your eye on The Blast and the newsletter for dates, or feel free to suggest a movie to us!


  • The Seniors Group

    A special interest group that is open to everyone, the Seniors Group sponsors speakers on a range of topics with universal appeal and also provides an opportunity to share thoughts on the joys and the challenges of aging. Meetings are the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month, after the service. The Group occasionally enjoys lunching together and also organizes outings. 

  • Thursday Meditation

    Thursday Meditation, 7:30 am Tuesdays, Conference Room Open to the community. Chanting leads us into 30 to 40 minutes of silent meditation in a serene and comfortable atmosphere. Afterwards, many of us reconvene at The Crafted Kup on Raymond Avenue for breakfast and wide-ranging conversation.

  • SoulCollage® Circle

    SoulCollage® is an intuitive, fluid process of self-discovery. Participants create collaged cards and explore the profound personal significance of those cards, gaining a deeper understanding of self and richer sense of connection to the universe, while an extraordinary sense of community is fostered. SoulCollage® is magical, mysterious and, best of all, fun. The Circle  is hosted by Fellowship member Judith Knauss, a trained SoulCollage® facilitator. Special meetings and introductory workshops are also scheduled. Keep your eye on The Blast and the newsletter for dates.

  • Spiral Web

    Spiral Web is the UUFP’s Chapter of the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans, committed to the seventh principle of Unitarian Universalism, respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. We invite everyone to join in the weaving of the intricate and glittering web of life.


    Spiral Web also holds regular “Wheel of the Year” celebrations to mark the cycles of the seasons and the sun. We also provide a minimum of three Sunday morning services for the congregation each year. In 2015-2016, these celebrations were:  October (Samhain/Halloween): Betwixt and Between  December (Solstice/Yule): Gathering the Light April 24 (Earth Day/May Day/Beltane): This Island Earth


  • Speaking of Books

    Sponsored by the Membership Committee, Speaking of Books is a non-fiction book discussion group. The group meets on the first Monday of the month at 7PM. 

  • Uniplayers

    Founded in 1997 by members Garth Coogan and Nancy Means Wright, Uniplayers produces at least one evening of theatrical entertainment each year, usually in the spring. 


    Most often an evening of original one act plays interspersed with music and including a dessert buffet, Uniplayers provides a creative outlet for many members. Writing, acting, directing, set design and construction, costuming, make up, lighting, sound effects, music: if you've ever been interested or involved in the theatre and need a "fix," this could be the big break you've been waiting for!

  • Young Adult Group

    Young Adults is a broadly defined group comprised of anyone between the ages of 18 and 35. As you can see, it covers a lot of territory!


    While the young adults here at the Fellowship engage participate fully in all areas of the life of the congregation, they also seek to strengthen the bonds within their cohort. To that end, they plan activities together such as hikes, concert-going, bowling, pub trivia, karaoke and more. 

  • Zen Meditation

    "Plain Water Practice" is a Zen Meditation group that meets every Sunday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The group begins by reading and discussing a member-selected text, followed by discussion. The meeting concludes with two half-hour meditation sessions. New members and beginners are welcome.