Not enough people could come, she says. She thinks such nights can exclude many people who have school or other activities. It's also important, she notes, to accommodate members' busy schedules by not requiring committees all to meet on that same night. The service included a chalice lighting, responsive reading, a kid-friendly activity such as forming the interdependent web of life out of string, and a reading. When the program was canceled the adult religious education program picked up the meeting time, place, and catered meal for its film series.
Food can be the hardest part of such an event.
The Berkeley church hires a caterer. Children eat free. Because the dinner is catered, adults are free to attend the worship service without having to clean up after the meal. But other congregations do potlucks. At first we had an agreement to keep the food simple, as in bread, fruit, and cheese, but of course with UUs that didn't last past the first week.