Men’s Group

The Men*s Group provides social activities to foster connections among members. By creating a low barrier for entrance to the group (open to cisgender and transgender men and masculine-identifying, non-binary and LGBTQ+ people), we are able to get to know one another in deeper, more meaningful ways.

• Meetings on the full moon (see table below).
  Next meeting: Hunter’s Moon, Monday, October 26, 2026. Topic and location TBA.
• Hasty Retreats (Sporadic, see below)
• Game nights
• Potluck & Yankee Swap (December 1, 2026)
• Men*s Retreat (April 2-4, 2027)

Men’s Retreat 2026, photo by Joe Turner

Men’s Retreat

Each year since 2002, the Men’s Group has organized a weekend retreat in early Spring. A group assembles one week prior to plan the Retreat’s activities and discussion topics. There is fun, food, fellowship and thoughtful conversation, with participants returning home refreshed and energized! Learn more here.

Meeting Schedule

We meet every full moon. This way, we’ve embraced a bit of irregularity. It means that a different group of men might be inconvenienced each time—but at least the inconvenience is shared. No one is perpetually excluded due to a standing conflict on the same weekday every month.

*Occasionally we may shift a moon by a day or two.

Here are just a few of the activities that members have enjoyed:

• Show and Tell: How I Spent My Summer
• Malden Co-housing (Potluck and Impromptu Tour)
• Middlesex Fells Hike (and Sofa Removal)
• Ipswich Canoe Adventure
• Nahant Beach Kites and Fun
• Bonfire
• Middlesex Fells Hike #2
• Laser Tag
• Snowy Cemetery Walk
• Maypole
• Potluck and Song

Hasty Retreats

At any time, any member of the group may call for a “Hasty Retreat” and it is up to the rest of the group to heed the call and show up. This is generally done the day before, though occasionally there is some light planning done beforehand.

Questions?

Feel free to reach out to Don B. or Brian J.

*Men’s Group activities are open to men and masculine-identifying, non-binary and LGBTQ+ people. Anyone associated in any way with the Melrose UU Church can attend the Men’s Group activities. Church membership is not required.