Start Your Assembly

We are a network of non-religious communities who gather to celebrate this one life we know we have. We're a global movement for wonder and good.

Sunday Assembly members volunteer, learn, get inspired, and celebrate life with their communities. We live better, help often, and wonder more through events big and small in our local chapters.

The Sunday Assembly movement was started in London, UK by comedians Sanderson Jones and Pippa Evans in 2013. They had both been churchgoers in their youth, stopped going and then realised they missed something; not the religious part, but rather the community, the stimulation, the singing, the being with others, the tea and cake afterwards. So they set up Sunday Assembly to see if a ‘church-like thing without religion’ could be done. And it could!

There are now chapters around the world. Take a look at our map. Is there something close to you already? Get along and say hello. If there isn’t something close to you, maybe you are the person to get something.

You can find out more on our About page.

Firstly, we are not a single organisation. Each chapter is free-standing and can organize how it wishes (as long as it follows the key ideas of Sunday Assembly). We support each other as best we can. There are folks who’ve been doing this for more than 10 years, and they are eager to help you.

Secondly, Sunday Assembly is not a way to earn money or make a living. We started with a public charter which still sets out the broad space in which we operate. Some key things are:

Sunday Assembly is a non-religious congregation that celebrates life. Our motto is Live Better, Help Often, and Wonder More. 

We are here for everyone who wants to:

• Live Better. We aim to provide inspiring, thought-provoking and practical ideas that help people to live the lives they want to lead and be the people they want to be

• Help Often. Assemblies are communities of action—building lives of purpose, encouraging us all to help anyone who needs it 

• Wonder More. Hearing talks, singing as one, listening to readings and even playing games helps us to connect with each other and the awesome world we live in.

SA has no doctrine. We have no set texts, so we can make use of wisdom from all sources.

SA has no deity. We don’t do supernatural, but we also won’t tell you you’re wrong if you do.

SA is radically inclusive. Everyone is welcome, regardless of their beliefs – this is a place of love that is open and accepting. We welcome all who welcome all.

SA is free to attend, not-for-profit and volunteer run. We ask for donations to cover our costs and support our community work.

You’re still interested? Excellent!

The most important part of Sunday Assembly is offering inclusive secular gatherings which welcome all who welcome all and are an inspiration to Live Better, Help Often, and Wonder More. We want to offer places where anyone, regardless of their beliefs, can find community based on shared values.

If you have experience in organizing, promoting, and running events, you may want to jump straight to our full Start-Up Guide.

If you don't, that's ok too! Sunday Assembly can happen at multiple levels. Start at the level that works for you.

Hold a gathering of any size in the spirit of Sunday Assembly - with a secular perspective as well as respect for all, encouraging attendees to Live Better, Help Often, and Wonder More.

• Put together a Little Assembly - See Assembly Format

• Host a small group

Remember to focus on celebrating life, being together, and being inclusive. The folks who are open to join you are vital in expanding your Sunday Assembly.

Hold an Assembly in a venue where the public can be invited.

Market it online, such as on Meetup, Facebook. We will be keen to add you to our map when there’s a place online that people can find you and connect. 

Build a team of volunteers to spread out the work.

Add one or more small groups. Examples: service activities: join a local cleanup or volunteer at a food bank; hobbies: book club, game night, movie night, dancing, hiking, meditation; food: coffee, brunch, beer hopping, restaurant hopping; other: parents, online chat

When you are ready and confident you'll be doing this for some time, we invite you to take steps to make your Assembly more official:

• Create an organization

  • A nonprofit in the U.S.

  • An unincorporated association in the UK (See  pg 28 of the Start-Up Guide)

• Create a board 

• Open a bank account

• Solicit donations to cover necessary costs

• If you are in the U.S., join SAUSA