News & Events

Please contact programs@friends-ucc.org to highlight your announcements on this page!

YEAR-LONG BIBLE STUDY, NOV. 9 & NOV. 10

Join us for a 48-week study going through the entire Bible, meeting weekly at Friends Church: Mondays at 11:30am, or Tuesdays at 6:30pm. Whether the midday offering on Mondays or the evening one on Tuesdays fits best with your schedule, you are welcome to attend either. The readings for Week 39 (Nov. 9 & 10) are Isaiah, chapters 56-66; Psalms 121, 133, 134, 135, 136; Revelation, chapters 4-6; Mark, chapter 1. For more information, contact Pastor Dan.

MENTAL HEALTH WALKS W/ PASTOR BROOKE ON TUESDAYS:

The weekly Mental Health Walks w/ Pastor Brooke will be Tuesdays at 5pm. We meet at Wolf Pen Creek Park in the parking lot next to the playground. For more details, reach out to Pastor Brooke: pastorbrooke@friends-ucc.org.

SUNDAY SCHOOL IS BACK:

Here’s info about weekly faith formation and spiritual development for children, youth, and adults.

Children: grades K-2 — Teachers: Anne Wehrly & Doris Machinski
- Location : First classroom next to kitchen (North side)
Children: grades 3-5 — Teachers: Hannah Alexander & Isaac Montgomery
- Location: Music room next to childcare
Youth: grades 6-12 — Teachers: Mary Howell & Robin Miller
- Location: End of hall by kitchen (North side)
Adults: Social Justice Class — Coordinators: Jodie Robinson & Nancy Bertsch
- Location: Left side of double classroom across from church office
Adults: Morning Manna — Teacher: Trent Williams
- Location: Right side of double classroom across from church office

SOCIAL JUSTICE CLASS

The Social Justice Class is reading The Tears of Things, by Richard Rohr, All are welcome to join in the discussion, whether you've read the book or not

MORNING MANNA

Morning Manna, our adult Bible study class on Sunday mornings, gathers at 10am on the right side of the divided classroom. This fall, we will be studying Rachel Held Evans' book "Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again." We will also weave in Amy-Jill Levine's new book "Genesis: A Beginner's Guide to the Beginning." All are welcome to join us, whether you've read the book or not.

FRIENDS CHURCH ANGEL TREE, NOV. 8 - DEC. 7

Friends Church Angel Tree is a way that Friends can bring joy to children from across the Brazos County. The Justice and Mission committee has been in touch with the Brazos County Child Welfare Board. Friends has volunteered to sponsor 75 children from Brazos County who are in foster care or family placement. Starting on Sunday Nov. 8th you will be able to choose a child to sponsor. You will receive a wish list for each of these children. Deadline for delivery of wrapped gifts to the church is Monday, Dec. 7th. For those of you who would rather not go shopping, we will also be accepting food and gas cards for our pastors to distribute to those in need in our community. Gift cards can be mailed to the church or put in the Gift Card box that will appear under the Christmas tree in the narthex beginning on Nov. 29th. Full details and alternative gift card donation ideas can be found here or contact awehrly@suddenlink.net with questions.

FIRST FRIDAY WITH FRIENDS, NOV. 6

First Friday with Friends is held in conjunction with Downtown Bryan’s First Friday activities. We have a meet up at The Owl - Pub & Grill and always have a few people there for the 5:30-7:30 timeframe. Some folks stay at The Owl all evening and others stop by on their way to or from dining and playing in downtown Bryan.

BRAZOS CHURCH PANTRY, NOV. 7

Join Friends Church on the first Saturday of each month, 9:45am - 12:00pm, volunteering at the Brazos Church Pantry, 304A W. 26th St. Bryan, TX, restocking shelves and assisting clients. The volunteers meet at the pantry at 9:15 am. If you have questions or need more information, contact: justice-mission@friends-ucc.org

CROP HUNGER WALK, NOV. 8

Our team page for this year’s CROP Hunger Walk is officially live. It will take place at Veterans Park at 3pm on Sunday, November 8. It’s not too early to get registered and start promoting what this annual tradition means to our group and community. LINK: CROP Hunger Walk Team Page

ADOPTION AND FOSTER CARE SUPPORT GROUP FOR PARENTS, NOV. 8

Our group meets on the second Sunday of every month from 5:30 to 7:00 PM in the sanctuary. Childcare is provided for Toddlers through 5th graders. Teens are welcome to go to Kairos youth group that meets at the same time. We start with a potluck so bring a dish to share. Please contact Ann Rome at ann.rome@yahoo.com if you will be joining us for the first time with the names and ages of your children that will be attending childcare.

MAJ JONGG LESSONS, NOV. 12, and 19

Prepare for the Mah Jongg Fundraiser, Tinsel and Tiles (benefiting the Foster and Adoption Support Group), on December 5th, with the first of three free lessons, on Nov. 5 from 6pm - 8pm in the double classrooms. Come to one or all three: 11/5, 11/12, and 11/19. Lesson one will focus on tiles, set up and basic play. Lesson two will be The 2026 Card, Choosing a hand and guided social play. Lesson three is slow social play with experienced players as coaches. All are welcome! Let us know you will join us by registering here: https://tinyurl.com/FriendsMahJongg. MAH-JONGG TOURNAMENT IS IN NEED OF CARD TABLES The Mah-jongg Tournament Fundraiser for Adoption and Foster Care Support Group, December 5th, needs card tables. If you have one you can lend us, please contact Fran Duane at fbduane@gmail.com.

THEOLOGY ON TAP, NOV. 12

Join us for conversation and fellowship at Theology on Tap, Thursday from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm, Nov. 12, at KinderHill Brew Lab, 505 W 31st St, Bryan. We call it “Theology on Tap” because our informal discussions revolve around faith and spirituality, bringing our lives more in tune with God’s will and way, and the venue has an assortment of great beers on tap, as well as non-alcoholic beverages, cocktails and mocktails. Detroit style pizzas available. Minors are welcome, as are four-leggeds. Weather-permitting, our group gathers in the outdoor area. Chairs are limited, so please bring your lawn chairs.

PEACE FOOD DISTRIBUTION, NOV. 13

Become part of Friends Church Food Distribution's very enthusiastic “food team” and make some new friends. Join us November 13th any time between 2:30 PM-6:00 PM to distribute food to our neighbors at Peace Lutheran Church Parking Lot. Contact Anne Wehrly for more info.

GUYZ BREAKFAST, NOV. 14

Guyz Breakfast brings together fellowship, fun and great food. Join us at the church on the second Saturday of the month 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. Bring your favorite breakfast food or drink to share. Pancakes and coffee are provided.

ASSEMBLING THANKFULNESS BAGS FOR CROCKET, NOV. 15

Following the 11 am worship service, join us in the double classroom across from the church office, to assemble Thankfulness Treat Bags for the staff at Crockett Elementary School. It will only take a short time!

BRAZOS VALLEY TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE 2026, NOV. 15

Brazos Valley Transgender Day of Remembrance 2026: Every year communities around the world gather to hold space in a vigil for those who have died due to anti-transgender violence in the past year. While statistically many deaths are of Trans People of Color (TPOC) worldwide, anti-transgender violence impacts the whole community, including nonbinary individuals, those closest to transgender people, and those who do not meet predefined cultural norms of maleness or femaleness. Here in the Brazos Valley we gather to share some of the stories of those that have passed and bind them to our memories. In addition, we honor not just victims worldwide, but also survivors and the loss to our communities. The Brazos Valley TDOR will be held on Sunday, November 15, 4pm-7pm, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Brazos Valley, 1719 E 29th St, Bryan, TX 77802. For more information, visit the website: https://www.pridecc.org/bvtdor/

FRIENDSGIVING, NOV. 22

It’s that wonderful time of year again — our beloved Friendsgiving gathering, Sunday, November 22, 2026 at 5:30pm. This event is always a highlight of the season and we need your help in providing enough Turkey, Ham, Gravy, and fixin's to feed our church community. Volunteer to help on the sign-up sheets in the church or using the following link: https://tinyurl.com/2026-Friendsgiving. Contact fellowship@friends-ucc.org for more information.

HANGING OF THE GREENS, NOV. 28

Join the work party to prepare the Sanctuary and Narthex for Advent. Contact worship@friends-ucc.org for questions or more information.

TINSEL AND TILES FUNDRAISER, DEC. 5

Join us for a beginner friendly Mah Jongg Tournament. Prizes award for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, favorite tables cape, and most jokers. Doors open at 12:30 pm and play begins at 1:00 pm and ends at 5:00 pm. Cost: $50 per person. All proceeds will benefit the Foster Car and Adoption Support Group. Sponsorships and underwriting are available as direct donations. Register and Pay at https://tinyurl.com/FriendsMahJongg. Free lessons are offered 11/5, 11/12, and 11/19th. For more information click here or contact Fran at fbduane@gmail.com.

BE AN ACOLYTE:

All children aged 8 and up are welcome to join us in assisting in church services, brining light and spirit to our worship. Children younger than 8 can participate with an adult partner. Sign up via the sheet in the narthex and online using, https://bit.ly/FriendsAcolytes.

SEEKING MORE SOUL FRIENDS FACILITATORS:

In March, we relaunched our small groups ministry, Soul Friends. Five groups of 8 to 10 people have been gathering twice monthly for guided conversations that deepen our spirituality and our relationships with one another as a church family. It’s going so well that we need additional facilitators to make another group or two possible in the near future. Soul Friends facilitators and/or co-facilitators communicate with the small groups in their care (announce gathering times and locations, provide helpful info and follow-ups) and lead the group’s meetings. Pastor Dan and Pastor Trent provide facilitator training and support. To volunteer to be a small groups facilitator or to get more info, contact Pastor Dan (pastor@friends-ucc.org) or Pastor Trent (pastortrent@friends-ucc.org).

JOIN THE FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE:

The Fellowship committee is a vibrant entity of Friends Church. If you are looking for a place to plug in here at Friends, we would love for you to join us. As there are many fellowship events throughout the year, we would welcome your input. For more information, email fellowship@friends-ucc.org.

VOLUNTEER WITH THE FRIENDS CHURCH YOUTH GROUP:

We are looking for folks who are interested in helping with the Friends Church Youth Group, either volunteering at Kairos gatherings on Sunday evenings, providing dinner, joining for off-site activities, or with the garden project. Reach out to Pastor Brooke for more details.