The CUUPS chapter at the First Unitarian Church of Northwest Indiana is a diverse, welcoming group of individuals who honor pagan, polytheist, and earth-centered spiritual paths within the framework of Unitarian Universalist values. We explore the sacred through the cycles of nature, seasonal celebrations, ritual, and shared learning.
Whether you follow a specific tradition (Wiccan, Druidic, Heathen, etc.), consider yourself eclectic, spiritual-but-not-religious, or are just beginning to explore, you’ll find open hearts and open minds here
We gather to:
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Celebrate the Wheel of the Year, marking solstices, equinoxes, and cross-quarter days with ritual, reflection, and joy
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Honor the Earth, our ancestors, and the divine in many forms
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Create inclusive, safe spaces for personal growth and spiritual exploration
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Build community, forging deep connections through shared experience
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Practice consent-based ritual and respect for all identities, paths, and boundaries
We strive to embody the UU commitment to justice, compassion, and respect for the interdependent web of all existence.
Each event may look different depending on the season and host, but you can expect:
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A warm welcome and introductions for newcomers
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A brief overview of the ritual’s purpose and theme
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Earth-honoring ritual, often including music, movement, meditation, and symbolic acts
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Seasonal altar or circle setup—sometimes indoors, sometimes outside
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Space for discussion, sharing, or fellowship afterward (sometimes with potluck treats!)
Dress is casual and comfortable; cloaks and ritual garb welcome but never expected. All ages are welcome, though rituals are generally geared toward teens and adults unless noted as family-friendly.
Our Celebrations
“The veil is thin. The ancestors whisper. We listen.”
Samhain (pronounced SOW-in) marks the end of the harvest and the beginning of the dark half of the year. It is a time for remembering the dead, honoring our ancestors, and reflecting on cycles of life, death, and rebirth.
At UUNWI, we gather for candlelit rituals that may include an ancestor altar, shared stories of loved ones lost, silent processions, and moments of reverent stillness. This is a sacred space for grief, gratitude, and transformation.
💀 Themes: Release, remembrance, endings, ancestral wisdom
“In the longest night, we kindle hope.”
Yule celebrates the rebirth of the sun on the darkest day of the year. As the winter solstice turns the tide toward longer days, we gather to honor light, renewal, and the warmth of community.
Our rituals may include lighting the Yule log, singing seasonal songs, crafting sun symbols, and sharing stories and food around the fire. We embrace stillness, coziness, and reflection while looking forward to the returning light.
🌟 Themes: Rebirth, hope, hearth, celebration
“The spark beneath the snow begins to glow.”
Imbolc honors the first signs of spring, even when the land is still frozen. Associated with the goddess Brigid, it celebrates inspiration, purification, and preparation for renewal.
At UUNWI, we may bless candles, write poems or intentions, and create altars with white, red, and green symbols of hope. We reflect on the inner fire that carries us through winter.
🕯 Themes: Inspiration, purification, new beginnings, creative energy
“Day and night are equal—so shall we be.”
Ostara marks the balance of light and dark, and the blooming of new life. Aligned with themes of fertility, awakening, and growth, it’s a time to plant seeds—literal and symbolic.
Rituals often include egg decorating, seed planting, and affirmations of balance and renewal. At UUNWI, we embrace the joy of emergence and the potential in all things.
🌱 Themes: Balance, birth, potential, reawakening
“The fire leaps. The flowers open. Love is alive.”
Beltane is a vibrant celebration of passion, sensuality, connection, and life force. Traditionally a festival of fertility and union, it honors the sacred dance between fire and earth.
At UUNWI, we may weave flower crowns, dance around the Maypole, light bonfires (or candles), and celebrate in laughter and joy. Consent, community, and playfulness guide our gatherings.
🌹 Themes: Fire, union, desire, vitality, blooming
“The sun stands still. We bask in abundance.”
Litha celebrates the longest day of the year, a time of solar power, growth, and gratitude. The sun is at its peak, and we revel in the fullness of life.
Rituals may include fire circles, sun meditations, herbal blessings, and honoring the natural abundance around us. It’s a time to reflect on what we’ve grown and to share joy with others.
🌻 Themes: Power, fulfillment, radiance, generosity
“The first fruits are gathered. We give thanks.”
Lughnasadh is the first harvest festival, named for the Celtic god Lugh. It’s a time of gratitude, hard work, and sharing the fruits of our labor.
At UUNWI, we bring offerings of bread, fruit, and herbs, craft symbols of abundance, and gather in community to reflect on what we’ve cultivated. It’s both a celebration and a moment to begin letting go.
🍞 Themes: Gratitude, offering, sharing, accomplishment
“Day and night once more are equal. We prepare to descend.”
Mabon, the second harvest, is a time of balance, reflection, and release. As we enter autumn, we pause to give thanks, to let go of what we no longer need, and to begin turning inward.
Rituals may include gratitude journaling, apple blessings, ancestral storytelling, and meditative walks. At UUNWI, we hold space for both abundance and grief, preparing ourselves for the darker months ahead.
🍂 Themes: Gratitude, balance, transition, reflection
You don’t have to identify as Pagan to attend. If you’re curious, respectful, and open to spiritual exploration—you belong here. We affirm and welcome people of all genders, orientations, ethnic backgrounds, and ability levels. Our rituals are explicitly consent-based, and you’ll never be pressured to participate in anything that doesn’t feel right for you.
Interested in attending a ritual, volunteering, co-creating a circle, or learning more? We’d love to connect! Speak with our CUUPS co-leaders Patricia Riley-Churilla or Kele Ivey after service, or reach out by email: cuups@uunwi.org.
You can also follow our updates on the UUNWI Facebook Page and Monthly Newsletter.
Why CUUPS?
As part of the larger Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans, our chapter is one of many across the country committed to lifting up earth-based spirituality within the broader UU tradition. Learn more about CUUPS nationally at cuups.org.
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