The 2026 Auction is only in the early planning stages.

But mark your calendars now so you don’t miss the Live Auction Party on Saturday, June 13.

Watch for more details in March. Until then, here’s an overview of our auction process.

Our auction has two parts:

an online auction of smaller items (active for a week before the live auction)

The online auction typically has smaller items, with something for every interest and budget: games and toys; books, kitchen gadgets. But with the increased capacity available with an online auction, we’ll have room for so much more.

and the live auction with larger items and events to bid on. 

Previous live auctions featured appealing items and events, such as gift baskets for cooks, wine lovers, healthy living, and doggie friends; a picnic in the park; a guided Civil War history tour; a nature walk at UUCH; handmade jewelry; professional music performances; a storytelling workshop; a Christmas party; handy person services; a mystery party; fiber craft lessons; homemade desserts; many specialty dinners; and a family movie night.

The special auction website opens early to preview online and live auction items. (Preview is available without admission fee.) A paper auction catalog will be available at church and on this UUCH website. 

Check out both so you can see all the bounty available in the online auction and the June 13 live auction party ––– and mark the ones you want.

        One admission charge lets you enjoy both auctions plus all the refreshments at the live auction.

What happens at the live auction?

An evening of fun, food, fellowship, and fundraising.

The auction is our largest fundraiser, but it’s also filled with fun and fellowship. So browse and bid at the online auction (a week or so before the live auction) and then party at the live auction with delicious hors d’ouvres, lively music, costumes, door prizes, and entertainment.

The 2025 auction theme was Memories & Dreams: Past Vacations & Fantasies of Future Ones, which was reflected in the costumes, music, decorations, and activities.  

Themed costumes are optional but encouraged with prizes for the best outfits. Maybe you already have a an auction outfit in the attic or back of your closet.

The auction admission charge covers live auction refreshments: upscale hors d’oeuvres during the first hour, snacks during the live auction, drinks, and desserts at the auction close. Seating is limited so purchase your seat early and save money too!

Get your “ticket” at church  or mail your check payable to UUCH, to the church, attention: treasurer, 13245 Cearfoss Pike, Hagerstown, MD 21740.

The main entertainment is the competitive bidding in the live auction—with humorous ad libs by our skilled auctioneer Ron Rose and his companion-in-comedy, Joanne Rose. Their quick humor elicits laughs and smiles throughout the live auction.   The quieter pleasures of the online auction are finding treasures there and outbidding your UU friends.Both auctions will overflow with items for gift-giving or for yourself.

So much to bid on:    Previous live auctions featured appealing items and events, such as gift baskets for cooks, wine lovers, healthy living, and doggie friends; a picnic in the park; a guided Civil War history tour; a nature walk at UUCH; handmade jewelry; professional music performances; a storytelling workshop; a Christmas party; handyperson services; a mystery party; fiber craft lessons; homemade desserts; many specialty dinners; and a family movie night.  The online auction typically has smaller items, with something for every interest and budget: games and toys; kitchen gadgets, tools, houseplants, and small gift baskets. But with the increased capacity available with an online auction, we’ll have room for so much more.

How you can participate:

• Get competitive in the online auction. Come to the Live Auction Party.  And bid generously and often. The auction profits help support the current year’s operating expenses and keeps the activities and programs you enjoy available.   Personal checks, credit cards, PayPal, and cash are all accepted during check out at the auction.

• Donate events, services or items. Everything in the auction is donated by UUCH members and friends. Donation forms are available beginning in March in the back of the sanctuary and as a printable PDF form on this page. .

 If you don’t know what to offer, the back of the donation form has many suggestions. (Parties, dinners and other events, services, and hand-made items are always popular.)

 The auction committee needs your donation forms by the date on the form  (and sooner if possible!) to compile the catalog and set up the special auction software.

• Buy your admission  early.   (The early bird price is lower.)  Sanctuary space is finite so be sure you can get in.  And knowing how many will attend the live auction helps us set up sufficient tables and chairs and plan refreshment quantities more accurately to avoid running out or wasting food. And don’t forget the admission charge lets you enjoy both auctions plus all the refreshments at the live auction.

Buy your tickets at church or mail your check  (payable to UUCH with auction in memo line) to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Hagerstown, att: treasurer, 13245 Cearfoss Pike, Hagerstown, MD 21740.

For more information, email auction@uuhagerstownmd.org