EDIT: Thanks everyone! I've got some good books on my to-get list now.

Are there any books you guys would recommend for a 4-5 year old? Ours is starting to ask about where our world came from, what death means, and other big questions.

I've been trying to explain in an age-appropriate way, but thought maybe some books would help her understand topics like this.

Also, since my husband and I don't have the same beliefs, I wanted to find kids books that highlight diversity of religions.

Thanks!

Question is in the title. This is something that's bothered me ever since I found out about it -- we have cross-credential acknowledgement for various Christian ministers, and we take from Indigenous cultures many things depending on the congregation, but an indigenous Medicine Person does not qualify as a Minister despite having to go through their nation's training to be their nation's version of a holy person. Why not? Is this something we should have?

A few years ago the minister where we went left and a new one came in. The sermons turned into constant talk of gender and LGBTQ equality topics. We tried 3 other UU places in the area and it was all quite similar. Lots of woke woke woke woke woke. Because of this, we left the community, but we’re thinking of trying again. Look, I’m fully accepting of anyone and everyone and have been my whole life. At a UU place, this is just preaching to the choir - everyone already is welcoming to all types! So why do we have to keep talking about it - and almost ONLY this!? It gets old. I’m much more interested in true spiritual and scientific topics. My question: is this what UU has become everywhere? What is the vibe where you live?

The Current UUA President, Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, described "Building a Beloved Community" as:

"A community that practices a radically inclusive and compassionate, anti-racist, anti-oppressive, multicultural, multigenerational faith within, and acts powerfully in partnership and solidarity for justice and liberation beyond."

This concept of Beloved Community predates UU (Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King cited it but it came before him as well) yet with the recent Article Two draft I have noticed this wording and references to Building a Beloved Community occuring across UU circles.

Has your congregation(s) discussed or explored what "Building a Beloved Community" means to them?

I appreciate your thoughts and responses 🙂

I’m a second year MDiv student at SKSM, walking/paving a path toward ministry (whatever that ends up looking like). SKSM does a great job fostering intimacy and rigor in the virtual spaces, but I’m sad to not have greater connection with other seminarians. I have a wonderful community of friends and family, but don’t feel like many understand the discernment and formation process I’m going through. Would love to hear if there are others who feel the same.

I live in brazil, and here we don't have this type of community :(

This may be a stupid question. But is there any body of scripture that’s specific to UU? I know it derives inspiration from multiple bodies of scripture but is there any text/holy book that only UUs claim?

This may be a stupid question. But is there any body of scripture that’s specific to UU? I know it derives inspiration from multiple bodies of scripture but is there any text/holy book that only UUs claim?

Firstly, good day to anyone who reads this. This is my first ever reddit post.

Over this past weekend I was on a rabbit hole on various topics of research, one of which was the famed American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. While researching his work, I found a church he did in Oak Park Illinois which is called the Unity Temple. From there, I discovered UU, did a cursory search and for the most part, liked what I had found, and I'd even found a local church to which I went for service this past Sunday.

Now, I haven't been in a place of worship by choice in at least 20 years. As a child, I grew disillusioned with organized religion (baptized Catholic, loosely raised Christian). There are multiple things and reasons I could point out why I never stuck with it, but that isn't currently the goal of this post.

Now, I've lived a moderate, fair life which has had its own struggles, trials and tribulations as well as it's fair share of exceptionally awesome experiences and things. The one thing that really stuck to me was the intellectual melding with the spirit of "who/what are we?" and "why are we here?".

Now, I'm a fairly analytical person, I like to think, and most times often than not, I tend to over think and over analyze things in to ways that make sense to me. I look into history to see what people have done in various places and situations, and I learn from the past in order for me to live in the present and move forwards to the future. All my questions and answers are calculated off of research and learning, with the exception of the aforementioned spiritual questions.

I suppose in the easiest way of explaining, I believe in the Force from Star Wars, but not in the sense of how George Lucas wrote it, and not what the actual Jedi religion believes in. All people, all things, all beings, all matter and elements and everything is all interconnected in some way, shape or form. This fact is what I am certain of in my own way of understanding.

What I am looking for on clarification is, is the UU church right for me? Am I welcome (I know I am, but will others be there to help me in my search for knowledge and answers?). Is there anybody else who feels this way that can point me in some directions and help me focus my thoughts and feelings into a genuine way of exploitation that I can hold onto and draw strength and resolve from?

Sorry for the lengthy post, I will gladly explain more in the comments if there are any questions.

Thank you for your time.

Google and the official website turned up nothing. Thought I would ask here.

It was a really good experience! I particularly liked how the sermon brought in ideas from a variety of cultures. My little daughter, meanwhile, had a lot of fun in the childrens' room with other kids.

We go to a UMC church as well, and while it's very nice and very progressive, the congregation there is implicitly expected to all be Christian - and it shows through in the sermons and the prayers. I attend with my Christian spouse for the sake of family time, but I feel a bit out of place there as an Agnostic/Secular Buddhist.

The UU, meanwhile, mentioned the Buddha, and Greek philosophy, and other roots of humanity's beliefs in something greater and unchangeable. There were no Bible verses quoted and no Biblical prayers chanted out loud (things I've been uncomfortable with since my deconversion from Christianity). Instead, I felt very acknowledged and seen and reminded of the good of humanity. :)

The one sad thing is that our UU church (by comparison to the well-funded UMC) is small, and doesn't have as much in the way of inspiring music. However, I'll be interested to check out their events and groups outside the Sunday service. Seems like there are good volunteer options and family activities.

Anyway, just wanted to come here and say that I'm glad Unitarian Universalism exists, and thank the community as a whole for being so open-minded.

So I'm now looking into this faith and started reading a pocket guide book on Kindle, and

Wow

I haven't read much information, but. Maybe this is what I've been looking for?

I think I looked into it previously, but saw that UUs would take things from scripture, and decided to explore Satanism for a bit. But. This seems to really draw me in. More than the idea of Quakerism did. The principles UUs share and the sources of info, and the fact that the congregation is all for loving others and bettering humanity. It seems awesome.

I may have found my spiritual home.

Not completely sure yet, but we'll see if that's the case :)

I also love that all religious backgrounds are accepted. This just seems wonderful so far.

I realize this may vary from congregation to congregation, or even person to person, but I'd there any communal framework for the practice?