Coffee hour is a vital part of Unitarian Universalist (UU) community life. Garrison Keillor peppered his Prairie Home Companion monologues with UU jokes, including our love of coffee (hour). Some observers say it is a UU sacrament or our form of communion.

At the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Newark (UUFN), Coffee Hour is a meaningful gathering held regularly after Sunday services. UUFN Community members chat about the sermon, catch up with friends, and welcome newcomers.

Coffee hour also provides opportunities to connect with activities – to join a social action effort, sign up for adult or children’s religious education classes, find out more information about upcoming events, exchange a donated used book or magazine, buy grocery gift certificates, browse or purchase inspirational or UU books and publications, buy a raffle ticket, volunteer to help at the events and fundraisers, or learn about the newest efforts of the youth RE classes.

Within the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Newark (UUFN), the Hospitality Function is now primarily limited to providing the labor to set-up, serve, and cleanup beverages and light snacks for “Coffee Hour” on Sunday mornings. The “Coffee Hour” is held immediately after the 10:30 A.M., Sunday morning service in MacKinnon.

Currently, each Hospitality Team is supposed to be composed of two (2) people, and each team is expected to serve once each month for a total of 12 times per year.

Any group, team, committee, meeting, or event that is part of the UUFN may use anything in the kitchen: coffee, tea, beverages, snacks, paper products, etc.

All are welcome to our kitchen, anytime.

If you're planning a UUFN event, please contact kitchen@uufn.org to make sure that you have all you need.

Currently, the Hospitality Team Coordinator is responsible for:

• recruiting and training Team members for Sundays
• notify kitchen@uufn.org regarding facility and major equipment issues, and make requests or recommendations for addressing such
• coordinating with other congregational committees and leaders

Relationships: The Hospitality Team Coordinator most frequently communicates and coordinates with the Kitchen Chairperson, the Property Committee Chair, the Fellowship Chair, and other committee chairs that hold events following a Sunday or Holiday Service.