The Clara Barton Gathering Place, named for the famous Civil War Unitarian nurse, is the "living room" of Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church. Here we warmly welcome visitors and greet friends before and after service; celebrate special occasions and honor special people; and share our lives in many other ways.

The soaring two-story space connects the Grand Sanctuary and Delaney Hall.

In the Gathering Place is a large wall sculpture by artist, Robert Gottschall, in memory of Jana Joseph and Richard Johnson. The Flaming Chalice of wood and metal is the symbol of Unitarian Universalism. The vessel of black walnut and the emerging flame are inlaid in bronze and are encircled by double rings of patinaed steel. Surrounding symbols of world religions, cast in bronze, complete the sculpture. Presented in clockwise order are the Cross of Christianity, the Star and Crescent of Islam, the sacred word OM of Hinduism, the Torii of Shinto, the Prayer Wheel of Buddhism (containing the yin yang symbol of Taoism), and the Star of David of Judaism.