Can someone please give me a brief overview of the history behind how atheists, humanists, agnostics, and deists ended up a part of these two Christian denominations? Did some Unitarian minister or Universalist minister just wake up one day and come out to the congregation as a humanist? How, exactly, did the incorporation happen?

The progressive views of Unitarian really appeals me. But aside from that I know almost nothing about church. The culture, how the service is like, is it family friendly, etc.

If you’re open to talking with me on text or on phone, please reach out

Preferably someone located near New York (where I’m at)

As the title says (online would do as well). I consider myself a bit of a journeyman when it comes to religion. Started out in a Catholic+Theosophy home. Then just after I completed my national service I joined the Krisna movement because of a girl. That didn't go too well. I have been simultaneously looking at the Islamic (smaili) movement, but would like to broaden my horizon regarding the Unitarian church. I am really just looking for something that blends the wisdom of many faiths together but is also sensible, doesn't have too many strict demands about about personal hygiene and dietary customs, and above all is non-racialist, peace-loving and humanist.

Just some general questions here. I align most closely with Christianity, but agree with some portions of Christian Universalism and some with Christian Unitarianism. I don't know what this makes me, I've been thinking maybe I should find which one I align more closely to and just agree to disagree on some points? I guess my only issue is that UU is a lot of religions and I am only a christian and that's confusing (not problematic) to me. Thank you!

For those who weren't raised UU and are converts like I am what was it that attracted you to this faith tradition? In a nutshell I used to follow a very conservative, even fundamentalist, form of Catholicism until I started questioning Original Sin and other crucial doctrines so I tried to find another community and found my local congregation thanks to a suggestion I found on this site a few years ago so it was the "warm of community" as well as the responsible search for truth that brought me here.

At first I thought I wouldn't stay for long and tried other communities like the Episcopalians but as my personal theology started getting farther away from anything recognizable as Christian this one felt like the one I truly belonged to and becoming a Humanist in theology confirmed that and I feel pretty happy about it.

Find a Stillness, hymn 325 out of the grey hymnal, has text from Carl G. Seaberg. The footnote says the text was based on a Unitarian Transylvanian (i.e., Hungarian) text. The rhythm, particularly in the first measures of the third and fourth systems, is very Hungarian. Anyone have the actual Hungarian text?

Hey!

My church is seeing a boom in young families, and I'm looking into what it takes to start a church daycare in Washington state.

I'm looking between the alternatives of the daycare being a separate entity and the church renting the space to the daycare, versus the daycare being part of the church and using the space for free.

Does anyone have advice and/or resources on how to to start a UU daycare?

Really appreciate it!

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!