Hi, all. I’m new-ish to my congregation, which is the first church I’ve joined as an adult. I’m really enjoying the community, the minister, and UU-ism in general.

My congregation has been without a settled minister for a few years. We finally found one who we like, who likes us back, and all parties want to make it official. Later this year we’re holding a settling ceremony and I’d like to get our new minister something to show my appreciation of their work and the positive impact they’ve made.

Would getting them a gift be appropriate? And if so, what kind of gifts would a minister like/use/appreciate? I get that everyone is different, but any ideas would be useful.

Thanks so much!

Title says most of it.

I'm curious about the UU church. What is it like? Do they require financial contributions? I'd be willing to give sometimes since it's likely how the church survives, but I can't do 10% of my income like I did as an Adventist.

I miss the community of the church. I can't really hang out with my old friends without hearing all about end times bull crap and Ellen White this and Ellen White that.

I do not want to be a part of another Christian church. I'm an atheist now, religion in general seems toxic to me. But the UU church does interest me. Those who have experienced it, what can you tell me about it? Would it be a good fit for an atheist or would the church of Satan be a better option?

I am a late 30s Dad with a couple of kids (6 and 4). Haven't done church since I dated a preachers daughter in high school. I am not exactly socially adept. My wife works Sunday mornings and I am the religious nutter anyway. I already felt like I made a bad impression as I went to online UU meetings for my local UU during the pandemic; even joined up. But I got cold feet and had some personal issues come up when I was all set to make my appearance and canceled about a month out. They didn't get the message apparently as they were expecting me.

I eventually went once late last summer but it was super awkward as I have never done social events with just me and the kids before. My kids didn't want to separate from me, so I went to the kids class with them. No one really talked to us. I felt a bit weird about an interaction with my 3 year old daughter and a Church lady getting on to her almost immediately for what was honestly something extremely minor. We are a "Good Inside" family and never really get on to our kids about anything. Tears were shed... awkwardness.

I really want my kids to get the OWL and RE education, but I just haven't had the will to try again. I am also not sure what I want personally out of, or what I can give to the UU if anything. I am not sure if I can really handle the heavy socializing that seems to be what Church is about.

Anyway, how should I approach this whole Church thing? Thanks for any pleasant replies.

I'm a member of the UU church in downtown Anaheim, California. Since COVID started, we've been meeting on Zoom. Now we're holding hybrid meetings, on Zoom or in person. Eventually, we're going back to meeting strictly in person, no firm date yet. You might be able to find a Zoom service, maybe ours.

hello! i recently found out about UU and joined this sub just barely. it's been great investigating so far.

i'm exmormon (PIMO, if you know what that means) and I've been burned really bad by trusting the religion i was raised in. UU seems so wonderful right now but I want to take my time to determine if this is what i really want to try or not.

i guess the main reason for my hesitance is the rampant sexual abuse, transphobia, and cult tactics in my local community. i don't want to experience that again without tools to cope and report it.

i'm very lost on where to find potential resources for this issue. i greatly appreciate the lgbt friendly tags for the local services but it's all a little overwhelming trying to get info on the more actionable of UU's safety tools.

if anyone has any advice or could offer guidance on how to better understand the formatting of the links in the about section that would be great! and thank you for your time.

I think I first heard about UU in a Tara Brach interview with Pete Holmes.

I grew up Catholic. I like meditating and Buddhism.

I’d love to hear what it’s like growing up in it. And I’d love to hear other convert’s journeys.

I’m interested in joining a congregation. Unfortunately the closest UU church is over 50 miles away from me so I’m considering online attendance for the most part.

Edit: Whoops. Title typo. Six weeks.

I love having the opportunity to make inter generational friends but I would also love friends my age. What’s the demographics like for your community?

I’m 34M Filipino American

We often hear people talk about the Unitarian roots of Humanism, especially individuals like John Dietrich and the Unitarian signers of the Humanist Manifesto I. What doesn’t get talked about as much is how Humanism became part of the Universalist tradition. Does anyone have any insights or resources I could use to learn more about Universalism’s historical relationship to Humanism?