Rites of Passage
Our congregational life at Birmingham Unitarian Church includes celebrating and marking life transitions. We share our joys and sorrows, supporting one another through difficulty and success. From birth to death, our community helps us live with deeper gratitude, greater connection, and more reverence for life.
Child Dedications
Children of all ages can be dedicated to the values, Principles, and commitments of Unitarian Universalism. This is a sacred ritual in which parents make commitments for how they will raise their child and the congregation makes a commitment to playing a meaningful role in the life of this child and family.
Child dedications are appropriate for kids of any age and can be tailored to fit the needs and circumstances of each specific family.
People who have been regular attendees of BUC for more than 6 months are welcome to contact our Minister about planning a child dedication.
Weddings
Weddings are a joyous, happy occasion in which two adults celebrate their love and make a lasting legal and spiritual commitment to share their lives. At BUC, weddings are co-created by the Minister and the couple. The ceremony could range from very formal to casual; it might be very ornate, or simple. The most important thing for a wedding is for it to fit the personality and needs of the people who are getting married.
People who have been regular attendees of BUC for more than 6 months are welcome to contact our Minister about planning their wedding. For those who are not yet part of our community, please contact our Director of Administration and Facilities for information about renting our campus for weddings.
Our campus is not available for weddings officiated by any outside individual.
Memorial Services
Sometimes called a “Celebration of Life,” UU memorial services center on the life of the person being honored. These services are highly customizable to fit the needs of the family and pay tribute to the deceased. Our Minister and Co-Directors of Music Ministry will help plan a service that highlights the characteristics and values that were most important to your loved one.
People who have been regular attendees of BUC for more than 6 months are welcome to contact our Minister about planning a memorial service for a loved one. For those who are not yet part of our community, please contact our Director of Administration and Facilities for information about renting our campus for memorial services.
Our campus is not available for memorials or celebrations of life without an officiant or officiated by any outside individual.
Coming of Age
Coming of Age is an important rite of passage for 8th graders in our Religious Education program. Young people spend time learning about UU history and theology, considering values that are most important to them, and exploring spiritual practices. At the end of this intensive curriculum, participants present a Credo, sharing their budding beliefs with our congregation.
Bridging
Bridging is the capstone event of our Religious Education program. This ritual acknowledges the passage of our high-school seniors from the realm of childhood to adulthood. BUC holds a bridging ceremony in the spring for young people graduating from our RE program.
New Member Welcome
Joining a church is an important undertaking. It marks the beginning of a new journey and the joining of one’s life to the lives of others.
New members are invited to join our congregation at any time. Learn more here.
At least once per year, we invite new members to be recognized and welcomed by the congregation during a New Member Welcome during a Sunday morning worship service. New members are invited to affirm their support of our church’s covenant and our 8 Principles, and established members are invited to affirm their welcome of the new members. New members are presented with a small gift from the congregation to help deepen their relationship with Unitarian Universalism and BUC.
