In the summer of 2015, a group of 14 friends began searching for a way to bring a secular community to the Gainesville area. After a great deal of research and legwork, they happened upon Sunday Assembly, a worldwide secular organization founded in London by two comedians. The way in which Sunday Assembly combined the form of traditional religious gatherings (sermon, music, food, fellowship) with a secular, free-thinking spirit immediately appealed to the group of 14. The decision was made to start an assembly, and in January of 2016, Sunday Assembly Gainesville (SAGA) formally launched. The assembly was fully accredited in 2017, currently the only one in Florida. 

With its motto of “Live Better, Help Often, and Wonder More,” SAGA continues to hold monthly assemblies on the third Sunday of the month, providing stimulating speakers drawn from our community, music with which to sing along, and fellowship. Community service is a vital component of SAGA (“Help Often”) and includes both volunteering and monetary contributions to such organizations as Grace Marketplace, St. Francis House, and the Southwest Advocacy Group.

Unfortunately, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has made it necessary to celebrate SAGA’s 5-year anniversary via Zoom, rather than in person. The next assembly, Sunday Jan. 17 at 11:00 am, will officially commemorate five years of SAGA. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own festive foods and drinks as part of the celebration. More information is available here.