The UUFB is one of more than 1,000 congregations in eight nations belonging to the Unitarian Universalist Association.

Our Sunday worship reflects the fact that we are religiously and spiritually diverse. We have no creeds or doctrines or pat answers. You will find that we are a community of questioners and seekers; a religious tradition that espouses no one truth but recognizes many truths; a community that values the intellect and reason as well as intuition and reverence.

Ours is a religious tradition with roots dating far back into early Christendom with two assertions: God is one (Unitarian) and that all are saved (Universalist). Though we have emerged from Christianity and have many folks in our congregations who identify as Christian, Unitarian Universalism is not a Christian denomination. We are a denomination that embraces varieties of religious thought and practice including, but not limited to, humanism, paganism, mysticism, and religious naturalism. We draw on the sources of the world’s major traditions to inspire us and have found in poetry and music, a new sacred language. We are a denomination and a fellowship that is recreating itself anew time and time again, incorporating the continuing revelation of science, the human mind, and the Spirit of Life and Mystery.

As one of the songs in our hymnal says:

Come, come, whoever you are
Wanderer, worshiper
Lover of leaving
Ours is no caravan of despair
Even if you have broken your vows a thousand times
Come, yet again, come

We hope you will find us to be an invitational, welcoming and hospitable people. Welcome!

The UUFB grew out of a small liberal discussion group that had begun meeting in 1955. In 1959 a Unitarian minister presented to that group, and they voted to affiliate with the American Unitarian Association. The fellowship met every other week, first in homes, then in various facilities around the community. In the early 1960’s a Sunday School was organized. As the fellowship grew a lot was purchased on Sourdough Ridge to build a church. However, building was not feasible at that time. From the late 1960’s to the late 1970’s a group of about 20 continued to meet, mostly in homes. Meetings were informal and simple with a coffee hour.

The 1980’s began a notable shift in both membership numbers and types of programming. Meetings were held twice a month, and connections were made with other UU fellowships around the state. In 1981 the “Montana Cluster” met and voted to hire a shared minister. The Rev. Mary Scriver was hired and served UU congregations in Helena, Great Falls, Bozeman and Missoula from 1983 to 1985. She introduced a more formalized service with rituals, such as lighting the chalice, music and closing circles. The Sunday School began to thrive once again.

More interaction began with the Mountain Desert District and the UUA.

Following Rev. Scriver’s resignation in 1985, a concerted effort was made toward growing the fellowship and bringing in visiting ministers. Ministers usually came for extended weekends, meeting and consulting with committees as well as presenting Sunday services. In response to the changing needs of the UUFB and in Bozeman itself, the land on Sourdough Ridge was sold in 1988, and the money was invested.

A Long Range Planning Committee was formed in 1989 to address concerns about the future.

During the 1990’s eight visiting and consulting ministers brought expertise and professionalism to the UUFB to aid progress in meeting some of the Long Range goals. By 1993 the fellowship was meeting every Sunday, men’s and women’s groups were meeting regularly, and there was a thriving RE program. Social action activities included providing a community Thanksgiving dinner in 1995 and assisting in the Montana Gay Pride parade in 1997. In 1999-2000 the fellowship went through the Welcoming Congregation workshops and voted to become a Welcoming Congregation. When a consulting minister resigned in 2000 a search committee was formed to hire a half time minister. In 2003 a Chalice Lighters Grant from the Mountain Desert District enabled realistic financial planning toward the ministerial goal.

In Sept. 2003 the Rev. Lois Van Leer was hired as a half time minister for the Fellowship. Under her guidance and expertise the UUFB has grown to 100 plus members with Sunday Services drawing over a hundred congregants. 2009 marked the 50th anniversary of our presence in Bozeman. The Fellowship meets at the Senior Center and offers many opportunities for shared ministry, social action, religious education and social activities.

Written by Susan Backer, 2009

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