Unitarian/Universalist churches

[Laiste]

I was wondering if anyone has ever attended a service at a Unitarian/Universalist church. From my research the seem to be extremly open-minded to all religions. My 8 year old has been asking about going to church and I don't want to take him to a Christian church. I would not feel comfortable at all! I found a Unitarian/Universalist Fellowship near my home and would really like to attend with him. The one thing I miss about going to church is the community aspect of it. I want my child to experience spirituality outside of what I can teach and show him at home. Just wanted to prepare ahead of time as to what I can expect from a Fellowship such as this.

[EasternPriest]

Well - It's kind of hard to tell you ahead of time what to expect. Unitarians get their name form rejecting the concept of The Holy Trinity. They believe God is a "unity" versus "trinity."

Beyond that, from what limited experience I have, The Unitarian movement allows great freedom of thought and interpretation.

Most "Universalist" churches use that designation when they are focused primarily on the spirit aspect of creation. They tend to view all as one creation.

Hope this helps.

[Danustouch]

Many Unitarian/Universalist Churches are VERY open to pagan beliefs. One of them in a town near me, has more Pagans serving on their board of officers, than any other faith :) As a matter of fact, their minister, is Pagan. They open their Church to Pagan Covens who are looking for a place to hold rituals/circles/study groups, too. Many people I know who have been handfasted, have had a Unitarian Minister perform the ceremony:)

Their Hymnal has songs ranging from "America the Beautiful" to "From a Distance" by Bette Midler, "Morning has Broken" by Cat Stevens, etc. Basically, songs which have something to do with the Devine in General...not limited to one path/belief system.

Their readings might come from a variety of differen't religious paths. So you might hear a reading from the Bible, The Talmud, the Quran, Gibran, Dalai Lama.

And their Sermons, are usually multi-path oriented. Focusing on Morality, Spirituality, Ethics, and Philosophy, Rather than On one paths beliefs.

I visited a BEAUTIFUL Unitarian/Universalist Church in Westport, CT at one point. The church was made out of all raw wood and glass. One whole side of the building was glass, and it was surrounded by lush forests, and beautiful Gardens. So you had the feeling of sitting "outdoors" while you were actually indoors at the service.

A huge pagan Ostara festival was held there that year...it was the perfect setting!

I would reccomend you talk to the Minister of the Church, before attending, and ask Him/Her to basically explain what their typical service is like. Because of course, each Unitarian Church is a little differen't. Though most that I know of, are very open minded. You might even wish to attend a service on your own first, to see how you feel about it.

It very much gives you that "Church Family" feel, without limiting your views of "God".

Good Luck!!!!

[Laiste]

Thanks EP and Danu! I plan to go there this Sunday alone and check it out! I'll let you know how it goes!

[Danustouch]

Please Do! Hopefully, you wont' catch them on an inter-pulpit exchange sunday. LOL. Most of the Churches in the UCC (united church of christ) do inter pulpit exchange month, where ministers from other churches, of other denominations, can come and be a "guest" minister for a week. But I think that's usually sometime in the Summer. EP? Do you have experience with the inter pulpit exchange thing???

[Swanspirit]

is and can be a great resource ....... for pagans ...... for me it is still a bit "Churchy " but many of my pagan friends ; especially those with children regularly attend the U.U...... and one even "teaches Sunday School " as in she manages religious education for the children ... by presenting views from ALL religions ......... including pagans......
I met someone special at a U.U. Valentines Dance ........hehehe
Love and Light
Swannie

[Twilight Garden]

Personally I think it's a great place for kids if you are not trying to teach only one religion. (I know of many pagans who said they were going to teach their children different ways and let them decide for themselves.) I am about to be the step-mother of an 8 year old girl. That is one reason we started going to the UU church, sort of. It's very open-minded to many religions, races, and sexual preferences. It's not for everyone though. People that feel everyone in the religion should have similar/same views will probably not be comfortable at this church.

At our church, different members of the church "lead congregation". The Minister does her thing once or twice a month. Sometimes the kids even lead. Last week we discussed the scientific aspect to the "creation mystery". We heard Native American, Chinese, Christian and other myths about it, then discussed different scientific thoughts on it. I have NEVER heard them say anything like "this is THE way."

I also attend a Wiccan Church. Neither church minds me attending the other.

[amberlaine]

I don't mind churchy. In fact, I really like church.

But my problem with the UU faith is that it is *so* accepting, and *so* open-minded that it gets awfully PC. And the hymns are so boring, because they use these nebulous terms to refer to God. It completely strips religion of the mystery, the beauty and the passion when you're constantly referring to God (or whatever) as the "Great unifying spirit" or some other such thing. I don't know--I like using more intimate language to refer to my deity.

So I find UU ceremonies very sterile. Very PC. Very boring.

However, they do have some wonderful fuellowship groups. I used to belong to a UU Women's circle (it was really a Witch Club) and I learned a great deal from the other women there. IT was wonderful :)

[EasternPriest]

Danus - in San Diego, most pulpit exchanges take place during January "Chrsitian Unity Month", but various exchanges take place throughout the year through the various inter-religious groups.

[Danustouch]

Thanks EP! I just seem to remember the ones in my parents church always happening in the summer...unless the minister was ill or something, and they had a sub from another church fill in.

[Danustouch]

Well?? Did you attend a service?? I've been wondering what you thought!

[Laiste]

Originally posted by Danustouch
Well?? Did you attend a service?? I've been wondering what you thought!

No I could not go...Iv'e been too sick:rolleyes:
Hopefully this Sunday!

[Xois]

I attend one sometimes....It is nice...its still a little christian...but your son will love it...

[Twilight Garden]

*bump* For MistyPines ;)

[Danustouch]

Thought you might enjoy reading this article about one Unitarian/Universalist Church :)

http://www.celticcrow.com/news/EarthChurch106.html

[Laiste]

Danu, Thanks for the link. Interesting. I'm hoping the church near me is more Pagan oriented. But I guess I won't find out until I go and attend a service!!:p I still am not feeling well and could not go today!! I have promised myself that no matter what I am going next Sunday!!

[Shy Hawk]

We have a Pagan chapter at our local UU church. They hold rituals, and have a board and all sorts of official type stuff.
Because of all the different paths, they have a different trads ritual each sabbat.. The one for Mabon I believe was Native American....I don't go, but I am quite invited.

[MystyPines]

Thanks LunarMist and Danustouch for the information on UU Churches. I may go to the Westport, CT UU church with my kids and see what it is like. Thank you again.

[Danustouch]

Mysty...that's the UU church i was referring to earlier..the wood and glass one!!!!!! It is sooooooo beautiful. You are going to love it! CWPN's Ostara Festival was held there a few years back.!

[Wyrdsister]

So Laiste, did you ever make it to the UU church near you? I'm still wondering how you made out! :D

I've attended a couple of services at the UU fellowship in the city in which I used to live. They were rather churchy, but not too bad. The greatest experience I had there was participating in a 13-week course called "Rise Up and Call Her Name" -- it's a curriculum that was put together by the UU Women's Association designed to learn about different Goddesses of the world, their worship, and their culture. There was a different Goddess and culture for each of the 13 weeks. It was sooooo wonderful! :) :) The UU also has another similar course called "Cakes for the Queen of Heaven" that was designed before "Rise Up" that I hear is just as good.

Looking forward to hearing about your experience!!

Wyrdsister

[Laiste]

Well...I finally went to my local UU church...I enjoyed it and I will definately start bringing my son with me...Only problem is I went with a friend...mistake number 1!!! She has a Catholic upbringing...mistake number 2!! She was weirded out by the whole thing...First she made us late for the service...she kept wispering to me during most of the service...about how uncomfortable she felt...then she made me rush out the door right after the service was over...I didn't get to socialize at all or find out if they have any Pagan groups, services or the like...

Oh well! there's always next Sunday!

[Danustouch]

Laiste..yep..give it another try..and don't bring her..lol.

[Faery-Wings]

You have me intrigued here. :) I wonder if there is a UU church near me. Any idea how I could find out? I looked around witchvox, but didn't see anything.

I dreamt last night that I did find one and went to a service there too. :D

Laiste, I am glad that you liked it, good luck when you go next time, without your friend LOL!
Chris

[Wyrdsister]

Originally posted by chryssi1
You have me intrigued here. :) I wonder if there is a UU church near me. Any idea how I could find out? I looked around witchvox, but didn't see anything. Hey Chris,

Check out the Unitarian Universalist Association web page -- http://www.uua.org/ On the very first page there is a link for finding a UU congregation near you! :D

Wyrdsister
checkin' it out

[Faery-Wings]

Originally posted by Wyrdsister
Hey Chris,

Check out the Unitarian Universalist Association web page -- http://www.uua.org/ On the very first page there is a link for finding a UU congregation near you! :D

Wyrdsister
checkin' it out

Wyrdsister, you rock... :D

*runs off to the UU page....*


Chris