Upcoming Service
What Makes a Good Minister?
September 20, 2026 - 10:00 AMAs we begin a new ministry together, it’s worth asking: What are we looking for from a minister? What do we hope for, expect, need, or imagine from this role? Rev. Dr. Emma invites us to explore what is most important to us, what co-created ministry can look like, and what might become possible when we imagine together.
Join us in person or online.
Inspire
Heal
Belong
Who We Are
Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist is a religious community that confirms, challenges and supports a diverse membership that spans all age groups, faith traditions, and an array of ethnic, political and economic experiences. We think that diversity enriches us all as we talk about a reality that none of us can possibly know completely.
What We Do
Our purpose is as complex as it is simple: We unite to strengthen the bonds of kinship among all persons, to promote human dignity and increase reverence for life’s creating, sustaining and transforming power through worship, study and service. –The Countryside Church Covenant
What We Believe
Our church is unique in that we do not have one set of beliefs that everyone must share in order to join. Rather, we believe in pluralistic religious ideas and the freedom of their expression. We believe that individual reason and conscience are the arbiters of religious truth. And we believe that seeking that truth is a never-ending journey.
Recent News
Kits of Care Donation & Assembly Events
Countryside Church UU, Partners for Our Communities (POC), and Indivisible Barrington are collaborating to collect donations and assemble three kinds of kits for local families
Adult Faith Development Fall Offerings
Registration is now open for fall adult classes. For additional information, contact the facilitators listed or contact our AFD coordinators, Pat Wydell and Susan Auld,
From Our Board President
Dear Fellow Countryside Members and Friends – It’s September, so that means we will soon begin having our regular minister lead Sunday services after a
From Our Minister
Dear Beloved Community, My heart is still full from the extraordinary welcome you offered me in my first month here. Thank you sincerely to everyone
Upcoming Events
Living Well
September 16, 2026- 10:00 AM
Living Well meets monthly to explore the concept of a blue zone through discussion of broader questions concerning our physical,...Meet the Minister
September 17, 2026- 5:30 PM
Our new minister, Rev. Dr. Emma Farrell, is hosting a series of small “Meet the Minister” gatherings. These informal conversations...Open Forum Discussion
September 20, 2026- 9:00 AM
Please join us Sunday mornings at 9 am to discuss “the issues of the day” while respectfully welcoming different perspectives....Buddhist Study Group
September 20, 2026- 11:30 AM
All are welcome to join us as we discuss selected Buddhist texts and try to apply the principles and techniques...Young Adults Planning Party
September 20, 2026- 6:00 PM
Young adults (18-35) are invited to join us in classroom 6 for this planning session, held the 3rd Sunday of...
Building Calendar
Our Prairie
Nature is a spiritual wonder. The interconnected web of life is in full expression in prairies.
Countryside maintains a small prairie to remind us we’re part of the reciprocal circle of life. We recognize our future is intertwined with the flourishing of the natural world. Our members are deeply involved in community restoration groups as stewards and volunteers. Having a connection with nature brings everyone so much joy. Our small prairie, with its growing number of plant species, is a symbol that our faith community is committed to a glorious mutual flourishing of all living things.









