"The Quick Fix: A conversation about what is lost when we attempt to rush reconciliation."
Sunday, August 6, 10:50 am
August is a month in which people around the world celebrate the ascension of the Virgin Mary and mourn the horror unleashed in Hiroshima. What can these two events tell us about our capacity for causing harm to vulnerable populations and to our own spiritual development when we attempt to assuage our discomfort with the work required of us when we are faced with spiritual and societal strain or fracture? Please join Worship Associates Richard Davis-Lowell and Mari Magaloni Ramos for this one of a kind conversational service.
Richard Davis-Lowell, Worship Associate; Mari Magaloni Ramos, Worship Associate; Mark Sumner, songleader, Elliott Etzkorn, pianist
Eric Shackelford, Camera; Alicia Cover, Order of Service; Jonathan Silk, Audio; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher
*Almost forgot to mention, a lot of the UU churches around here do more informal services or group outings in the summer. From what I understand, it comes from back in the day when everyone in Massachusetts would vacation to the Cape in the summer. Not sure if this goes on elsewhere.
Joined a UU this past year and went all year. Really changed my life (35, atheist). They have some summer activities on Sundays, and I have gone to a couple... But my spirit is really aching for a full service.
As much as I love the community and people I've met, and I've enjoyed playing with the choir on percussion... I really really do enjoy just sitting in the back, soaking up the sermon and music. I love people but social things are hard for me... Let's just say I skip coffee hour a lot!
I'm curious if there are any good online services you'd recommend? I'd love to watch live if possible. I'm floundering a little without my weekly "spiritual calibration" as I call it. I do mediate and practice mindfulness, but it doesn't entirely fill the void.
Unitarian Universalist?
Haven't seen this question posted before. I've seen allot of posts lately about undercover universalist and ultimate reconciliation church members inside infernalist denominations. Are they open to ultimate "Christ-centered" reconciliation?
I'm not currently a member of UU?
Has anyone found UU to be more open to Jesus Christ-centered Ultimate Reconciliation?
Has anyone else in UU churches considered universal reconciliation?
Why or why not?
There's a Unitarian Universalist church close to where I live. Except I'm a trinitarian and believe Jesus Christ to be the only true path to/of salvation. No wrong or right answer, just an honest one.
CONTEXT:
By some estimates, as many as 46% of UUs are atheists.
In 1997, the Unitarian Universalist Association surveyed more than 8,000 active UUs and found that humanists — a category that includes agnostics and atheists — constituted 46% of the membership.
The most recent nationwide survey to ask that question was conducted in 1987 by the UUA Commission on Appraisal, which found that 7% of Unitarian Universalists picked "atheist" over other options, including "humanist." Going back even further, 21% of Unitarian Universalists in 1979 said that the concept of God is irrelevant or harmful, down from 30% in 1967.
According to a 2001 report in The Christian Century, a study by Ohio University professor James Casebolt found that 18% of Unitarian Universalists whom he polled in Ohio, West Virginia, and western Pennsylvania considered themselves atheists. By comparison, a 2002 City University of New York study found that just 0.4% of all Americans say they're atheists.
Kennedy, D. (2003) 'Are You with the Atheists?'. Unitarian Universalist Association. Available at: here.
EDIT: This question encompasses all types of irreligion, including those who approach UU as a secular religion, from a social scientific standpoint, syncretists, etc.
EDIT: More studies.
According to a 2001 report in The Christian Century, a study by Ohio University professor James Casebolt found that 18% of Unitarian Universalists whom he polled in Ohio, West Virginia, and western Pennsylvania considered themselves atheists. By comparison, a 2002 City University of New York study found that just 0.4% of all Americans say they're atheists.
Kennedy, D. (2003) 'Are You with the Atheists?'. Unitarian Universalist Association. Available at: here.
Moreover, this study (page nine, figure seven) exhibits further contrastive trends in "religiosity" between the 'general' American population versus the UU population:
As Figure 7 shows Unitarians are less religious and by far more secular in their outlook compared with the general American population. Nationally, 37% of American adults regard themselves as “religious” and 38% as “somewhat religious,” namely 75% of the adult population. This is in contrast with only 37% of religious outlook Unitarians. Furthermore, the ARIS sub-sample indicates that 39% of Unitarian regard themselves as “secular” and 19% as “somewhat secular” in outlook whereas only 10% of adult Americans describe their outlook as “secular” and 6% as “somewhat secular.”
Interestingly, the Unitarian pattern tends to closely resemble that of American Nones, those who profess no religion among whom 40% regarded themselves “secular” and 13% as “somewhat secular” in 2001. However, the Nones perhaps not unexpectedly have a smaller proportion with a “religious” outlook (only 8%).
Even more interesting is the finding that the UUA pattern (58% secular) also somewhat resembles that of America‟s Jews (i.e. persons who identify as Jewish-by religion). Among these “religious” Jews, 44% describe their outlook as “secular” or “somewhat secular.”
Kosmin, B. A., and Keysar, A. (n.d.) Unitarian-Universalists in the United States 1990-2008: Socio-demographic Trends and Religious Patterns, A Report Based on the American Religious Identification Survey. Trinity College, Hartford Connecticut. Unitarian Universalist Association. Available at: here.
Explore how specific, even ordinary, encounters can be a powerful window to spirit or to universal truths. Historically, both Unitarianism and Universalism come from theological arguments that had a certain level of abstraction, but more recently we seem to have a more grounded definition for these terms. They are no less powerful, though, for naming little "t" truths.
Does the unitarian universalist church require its members to pay a tithe (10% of your earnings), if they do; can you explain how does the money is being use, like does the money goes to charity or is it use to help the needy or is spent on the church?
This sermon podcast begins with a reflection offered by worship associate Carol Mahnke.
The 2023 Action of Immediate Witness Stop Cop City calls on all UUs to join ongoing organizing efforts. "Cop City" is a $90 million militarized urban warfare training complex, proposed by the Atlanta Police Foundation, Atlanta City Government and a committee of over 40 corporate donors. The planned site is in a predominantly Black neighborhood and will destroy 381 acres of remaining green space in Atlanta. Join us to phone canvass calling potential volunteers to recruit a mighty team to hit the streets! No experience is necessary + calls can be made from anywhere! It will be helpful if you have both a phone + a computer. Sign up here: https://www.mobilize.us/stopcopcity/event/570830/
In case anyone was wondering where to donate to the Plano, Texas UU church that was firebombed. There is no specific fundraiser but I dug up their overall "giving" link.
I have a 3 year old daughter who has expressed interest about my parents' church, a church of Christ. I have quite a bit of emotional baggage from growing up in the church of Christ because it's very hellfire and brimstone, which just doesn't seem kind to me. There is absolutely no way I would allow my daughter to be part of such a hateful community.
Also, when I say emotional baggage, I mean I still have nightmares about being forced to go back to a church of christ. My mother stopped talking to me for a bit when I stopped going because she was sure I was condemning myself to Hell.
I'd like to show my daughter what a church is like, and the UU seems like the best fit. However, while I logically appreciate what I've read of the UU online, I'm still pretty nervous. Can I have some reassurance that UU churches aren't homophobic, racist, classist, and thinks everyone but them is going to Hell? What does a service typically look like? Is there a way I can prepare my daughter for what to expect?
Anti-LGBTQ YouTubers trolled a progressive Plano church. It was firebombed weeks later No connection has been established between the attack and the church’s appearance in the video, and Plano police are still investigating whether the bombing is a hate crime. Weeks before the Community Unitarian Universalist Church of Plano was damaged in a firebomb attack early Sunday, members of the church welcomed four strangers — one of them carrying a camera — with hugs, smiles and the promise of a judgment-free fellowship. They didn’t immediately know they were being trolled and baited by a group of influencers who frequently take videos of themselves pranking progressives and liberals. The video, titled “We acted LGBT at LGBT Church,” has garnered nearly 200,000 views since it was posted to YouTube on July 12. No connection has been established between the posting of the video and the firebombing of the church, which resulted in damage to the building’s doors, but no deaths or injuries. A spokesperson for the Plano Police Department, which is investigating the arson, said in a statement Sunday the department “cannot confirm this as a hate crime at the time.”
But in a statement on Facebook about the attack, the church alluded to its appearance in the video, which it says was filmed during and after its Sunday service on June 25. The church called the YouTubers a “hate group” and said it has been “reviewing building security and working with the Plano Police Department since the intrusion.”
While a motive behind the Plano attack has not been discerned, the Anti-Defamation League and GLAAD tracked more than 350 incidents of harassment, vandalism and assault motivated by anti-LGBTQ rhetoric in an 11-month span beginning last June. Texas saw the third-highest number of anti-LGBTQ incidents in the country.
In North Texas, gatherings frequented by members of the LGBTQ community, such as drag shows and pride events, often draw armed protesters, including members of extremist groups.
The video begins with two men, Cassady Campbell and Bo Alford, standing in the church parking lot, acting out stereotypical caricatures of gay men — both use pronounced lisps and limp their wrists — and vowing to “expose” what they described as the church’s false teachings. The pair say they are in front of a Unitarian Universalist church, but don’t specify it’s in Plano.
Inside, they are greeted by several congregants who welcome them with handshakes and hugs.
“I’m glad you guys are here,” one of the church members says with a smile. The church member briefly describes part of the Unitarian Universalist ideology — there is no heaven and no hell and what happens to one person after death happens to all people.
“The essential point is, the bad things you do are not so infinitely, eternally bad that there’s an eternal damnation for it,” the member explains. Different Unitarian Universalist members are welcome to their own interpretation of the afterlife. The YouTubers are encouraged to take a hymnal, read about the church’s teachings and enjoy food with other members.
Another church member, who described herself as a lesbian who was once married to a man, explains that she came to the congregation “sad and broken and disillusioned, and this community put me back together and gave me strength.”
“Were you turned on to your husband at all, like were you into him, or did you just kind of do it?” Campbell asks the woman. She responds the question was inappropriate.
The pair is told they’re not allowed to record a sermon but do so anyway — interrupting it with shouts of “Yas b----!” and “Slay queen!” Eventually, both men drop the act and explain they’re in the church to “plant the seed” of what they describe as they Bible’s true teachings. After the reveal, church members tell them they’re lovely and polite and thank them for visiting.
Alford has published several videos of him antagonizing people at pride events, including LGBTQ-friendly churches. In one video, a congregant forcibly removes him from a church.
Campbell frequently posts videos of himself harassing women in public places, including gyms, shopping malls and grocery stores. In one recent video, he walks behind a woman at a gym and starts exercising with a weight while breathing deeply in her ear. “Daddy’s so pumped up right now,” he says. The woman tells Campbell not to talk to her and he laughs while walking away. In another video, he hits on women shopping in a Wal-Mart and then calls them ugly after being rejected.
In a phone call Monday, Alford said he was “shocked” to learn of the bombing.
“That church, I thought we had a very good connection. I have no hostile feelings toward any of them,” he said. “They were all very open and willing to talk. Nothing but good words to say for them.”
Alford said he didn’t regret any part of the video.
Campbell did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on Monday.
Jodie Zoeller-Bloom, the past president of the church who is currently leading the congregation while its current president is out of town, said the church would not comment aside from its statement posted to Facebook.
Sunday wasn’t the first time the church has made headlines. In 2017, somebody stole a pride flag that was flying outside the church and replaced it with an American flag, leaving a note saying there are only two genders.
A pastor encouraged the thief to “have a conversation” with members of the church.
Source: Dallas News https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2023/07/24/anti-lgbtq-youtubers-trolled-a-progressive-plano-church-it-was-firebombed-weeks-later/
So I'm a lapsed UU (if that's even a thing) in the sense that outside of a few services at the Boulder church I haven't attended in several years. I certainly uphold the principles in my life and lately have been missing the community. The Boulder church wasn't for me for a variety of reasons but I am looking for a new community. I currently live closest to the Jefferson Unitarian Church and am not afraid to just roll in on a Sunday but I was curious about the opinions of UUs in the area as there are several options.
I am looking for a place that practices radical acceptance in all aspects and is active in social justice. I know that sounds like any UU congregation but I hope you understand what I mean. For context: I am a cisgendered male who was raised in the church from a very young age. Now in my mid-thirites I again desire a community of open and honest discourse.
Thanks for the help and if you need any clarification on what I'm looking for just ask!
I'm a longtime UU and in college. Because I'm a student, I don't work very much, and I make minimum wage at a work-study job. While I have enough money that I'm not at the ramen-noodle phase, I'm not able to give at church more than a few dollars a month.
My church does so much for me. They took me in when I came up to college and knew no one. They showed me love and support when I needed it, and they gave me a community.
Now, they're moving to a different location and hoping to build a new sanctuary, which I know isn't cheap. I feel bad that I don't give more, but I am nervous to give more on a financial basis.
Would offering my time as a volunteer be comparable? I know it wouldn't help with money, but hopefully I could be of some assistance. I know one of the childcare providers is leaving soon, and that's a paid position (minimum wage for an hour and a half a week) so if I take that position I might donate from that wage every week. But we'll see.
Hello,
Does anyone have any recommendations for UU churches in the Denver area?
Thank you
so. i discovered unitarian universalism and i found that i wholeheartedly agree with everything that it stands for and i really wanted to join. unfortunately i live in a small polish town so there aren't any congregations near me or even in my country. so i started to look for ways to get engaged online. i was hoping to find a community of interesting people open to new ideas who would help me grow as a person. this is not what happened.
i requested a link to join an online meetup of unitarian universalists in europe, but i was never replied to. today i attended a zoom meeting of yuup. it was fun, don't get me wrong, but there was only like 15 people there and 1/4 of them were mods. i was sent a link to a discord server that is mostly dead and has a rule against dm-ing people.
so here i am asking: am i doing sth wrong, or is this it?
This morning in church we were warned of a new wave of right wing protesters disrupting UU services in progress. I don’t doubt it but I couldn’t find any more info upon googling. Can anyone fill me in more or redirect me?
Hello there!
I suppose the tl;dr is that I'm feeling split between remaining an active UU while also finding my way (back) into a progressive Christian church (MCC) and I'd love any insights if y'all have any :) Especially if you split your time between communities or are a "hyphenated UU"
Background, I grew up Baptist - nothing much wrong with it, just a few theological points as nonnegotiable for me compelled me to look elsewhere, and that's when I found UU and became a very active member (I ran my college ministry for a couple years). Maybe ironically, being UU helped me find my confidence in my theism and I'm eternally grateful.
Recently, I decided to try out a progressive Christian church in town and absolutely love it so far, but I feel I'm also losing my connection to UU - I still identify at least partly as UU, and the UU churches in the area are nice enough, but they just don't have that home feel I had back on the east coast.
Is this something y'all have experienced before? Do I maybe need to rethink how I navigate this, or is my time in UU starting to close? I'm feeling a bit in limbo and would love some feedback or advice.
EDIT: Also of note is I do follow the Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship, but they haven't been active at all lately, which I suppose is also fueling these feelings :/
I am very interested in Unitarian and Universalist history and was wondering if there are any good, well-researched podcasts or audiobooks that others would recommend?
Hi everyone! My partner and I are thinking of checking out a UU church for the first time. We like the idea of being part of a spiritual community that puts more of an emphasis on shared values and social responsibility than your personal beliefs. We're in Central Mass so there are a lot of congregations to choose from. We're just a bit nervous about the social expectations. We want to dip our feet and explore at our own pace, but we're worried that as newbies, we’ll be love-bombed by well-meaning folks who are trying to make us feel welcome. We're queer/GNC and I have physical disabilities, so we tend to stand out in a crowd. It's not a bad thing, but we're kind of concerned that because you all are so inclusive, we might end up being the ones you want to make *extra* welcome. 😄
We’re autistic, so it takes us a bit longer to adjust to new situations. We'll have to get used to the physical environment, learn the liturgy, and figure out the norms of this new subculture. With all that going on, the prospect of being approached and chatted up by random strangers is a bit overwhelming. Don’t get me wrong, you all seem genuinely friendlier and more inclusive than any other religious group I’ve encountered, which is awesome, but also a bit intimidating. We watched a livestream where the Passing of the Peace took five whole minutes, and this one old lady went from pew to pew hugging as many people as she could. I've never seen anything like it! It was equal parts adorable and terrifying. 😂
I think it would really help if we could get some insight into the unwritten social rules of UU communities so we can be prepared. How do people typically interact with each other before, during, and after services? Ideally, we'd like to just hang back and observe during our first few visits. Is there a way we can politely defer socializing until we feel more comfortable without coming across as rude? We're not big on physical contact, so would it be possible to opt out of hugs during the Passing of the Peace? My partner has trouble sitting still, so would it be acceptable if they brought a sketchbook to keep their hands busy? We definitely don't want to be disrespectful, but it might help them stay focused. In terms of social demands, which would be less overwhelming, a small suburban church or a mid-size urban one (generally speaking, I know every congregation is different)?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
hi! i’ve been interested in unitarian universalism for a little over a year now and am looking into going to a service at my local congregation. i’m personally agnostic but i love hearing about other religions and grew up in a non denominational church and miss the community environment. i’ve also gone through a lot of trauma and loss and am looking for comfort from that, which i think being in that environment could help me with. i just want to know what to expect and how people in the congregation tend to react to new members?
Randomly enough, I heard of this for the first time on a random reddit post lol. So I decided to go Google it and honestly I really fell in love with it! I found a church near me that I might try out. But I'm definitely excited!
For background info, I was raised nondinominational Christian but I definitely feel disconnected from it/Christianity in general tbh, along with a disconnect with my old church (think people who are very conservative while I'm definitely liberal. It put a bad taste in my mouth). I definitely like some Christian beliefs, like 'love everyone' is definitely a motto of mine, but some things I've totally just rejected. I've definitely been 'lost' and questioning and like... religion searching. So it was crazy just happening upon this randomly, as I never heard of 'Unitarian Universalist' before, but it seems like it might be a good fit for me.
What else should I do besides just reading the website? Are there any other resources I should look at? Any books or other media I should look into?
Also sorry this was long. If anyone has any advice or tips or experiences they want to share, I'd definitely appreciate it!!!
UUs generally do not seek converts, but it seems so many are unaware of what we have to offer and are pleased to discover us. Can we have suggestions on how to appeal more to the public?
Hi! I’m new to UU but really love it Are there any discords I can join? Thanks!
Nearly two weeks ago, I nearly died. I have been homeless for over 6 months, and I'm barely coping with the end of a trauma- Bond relationship. I have been questioning my future, and seeing no light at the end of my tunnel for quite some time. After having stayed up a couple days on stimulants, having been unbearably depressed, and I had received yet another rejection from my unrequited love object, I was given a large amount of opiates; visibly, far more than my tolerance. I honestly can't remember if it was on purpose or not, but I just snorted the whole thing, and in hindsight I remember thinking oh my, that was a bit too much. 5 minutes later, it took effect and I was out.
I remember waking up on a hospital gurney, nurses and one cop all looking at me. I was, frankly, rather pissed to have woken up. I was told that I had not been breathing for nearly an hour, and it had taken a whopping of 17 of Narcan to revive me. This is an astronomical amount of the lifesaving drug, more than anyone had ever heard of being administered. But, nonetheless, my life had been saved and I was still on this planet. I went through a period of numbness, followed by some sort of epiphany, and flow-state of energies.
I had thought, "maybe there's a reason that I meant to be kept alive." Well, apparently there was.. well, maybe. I had learned that a fellow homeless man, also a long-term close friend of mine, had a painful infection. He is an IV drug user, and due to sensitive skin, had sores on his arms and legs. Apparently, has a left leg had gotten severely infected. Fate had it that I ran into him, while driving a friend's van. I told him please let me take you to the Urgent Care Clinic. Reluctantly, he went, and they told him to go directly to the ER, and that his leg may have to be amputated! So I insisted that we go half an hour south to a far better Hospital than the crap one in our city. The owner of the van was reluctant, but I insisted. He's been there for about 6 days now, and they're still pumping him with antibiotics. I was told today that he had gotten a Nasty form of encephalitis, and That I had saved his life.
By all means, I should not have survived that overdose. It's quite an anomaly. Is it possible that this is the universe at work, and that I was not meant to pass on yet, because I had a duty to selflessly save someone else's life? Either way, it's an emotional thing to hear, especially after devaluating my own life so much. I'm very glad he's alive...I have left the city, and when he is healthy enough to be discharged, is joining me for a new start in a much better area.
I’ve just started looking at new churches (leaving the lds/Mormon church after being in it for 11 years - and grew up Catholic). And I love the beliefs and principles this church has. Especially how there isn’t one set way to believe and how inclusive it is.
I’m thinking I might find a local church near me this Sunday to attend. But what are your services like?
Folks:
As a gay man, I would love to meet other gay men at our UU (Bellingham, Unitarian Fellowship in Bellingham, Washington).
I have been frustrated over the years that although there is a fair number of lesbians at BUF (short for Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship) as well as lesbian couples being formed here; there are virtually no gay men.
I had a vision late one night that a way to solve this problem is to advertise our being open and affirming; putting classified ads in the male gay publications.
Be aware that I am only thinking about this and getting feedback from folks like you; I have not purchased nor placed any advertising yet.
I would like to know if any of you have tried this and what kind of results are you seeing? It it worth it?
Since this is myself doing this with my own money and not that of the fellowship, I ccould only afford classified ads.
Any thoughts?
Thank you
Love
Mark Allyn
Bellingham, Washington
Our fellowship is about to have lots lay-led and younger adult led services. We ate looking to shake things up a bit and move away from the typical format where people listen to a sermon for 30 minutes. What have your churches and fellowships done that was different?
"Big Music Sunday"
Sunday, June 25, 10:50 am
Today we feature the Areté Singers, performing the live concert premiere of a new work called Mass for the Eighth Day with its award-winning composer, Luke Mayernik, sharing a reflection on it, as well as accompanying the work on organ. Several other choral gems will surround the musical centerpiece of the service. Some of the finest singers in the Bay Area will be performing, including a number that our regular congregants will recognize. The Chorus is made up of artists from all around the bay each a part of the Areté Singers Network — an organization that provides performers for concerts, operas, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, corporate, and other life events. More info at Aretesingers.com.
Mari Magaloni Ramos, Worship Associate; Areté Singers, Tim Salaver, conductor; Mark Sumner, songleader; Luke Mayernik, organist; Kassidy Mayernik, soprano; Leandra Ramm, mezzo soprano; Solo Quartet: Stephanie Collins; Leandra Ramm; Ben Rudiak-Gould; Asher Davison; Irene Cheng, conductor
Shulee Ong, Camera; Eric Shackelford, Camera; Steven Kroeger, Sound, Sound; Gregory Stevens, Live Chat Moderator; Alicia Cover, Order of Service; Judy Payne, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher; Jonathan Silk, AV Remixes
Why does the GA Sunday worship service always come off as cringeworthy? The last few GAs that they have held them, it reminds me more of something that I would experience in an Evangelical Christian church vs anything type of Sunday worship that I have experienced in a UU congregation over the last 20 years. What is with the dancing and various body movements that people are doing when they are singing hymns?
Granted, I only watched the service through a video feed at my local church so the actually being there might be a different experience. But these services need to be done better if they are a vehicle to attract people to UUism.
![]() | “You will kindly Remove Your Mask.” [link] [comments] |
Folks:
I am reading in horror about the Upstairs Lounge Fire in June 1973. The Upstairs Lounge was a gay bar; this fire resulted in 32 deaths; it was the 2nd worse attack on the LGBTQ community after the Pulse gay bar attack in June 2016.
What was very attrocious to me was the fact the no church would welcome a memorial service for the Upstairs Lounge Fire victims.
Several churches who refused to host a memorial were named, but no UU churches were named.
I wonder if the UU church in New Orleans was approached for hosting a memorial and if so, did the UU church refuse to do this like the others?
I have done much internet searching and could not come up with anything.
Are there members of the New Orleans UU Church here who could shed some light?
Thank you
Love
Mark Allyn
Bellingham, Washington
The young peoples Divestment protest was FIRE.
The music was lovely but a bit too hymn focused for me.
The Amendments to Article Ii were a mess, I was really disappointed that the study commission got to pick which got floor votes vs making it more based on delegate support. It ensured minimal changes. I do like the article 2 revison overall but the amendment process was rushed and seemed to be an afterthought. They were selling tote bags with the unamended graphic which tells you they never expected the vote to go anywhere.
I liked Pittsburgh and being down town and all the opportunities that the convention center had for outside space.
There are a lot of complaints about misgendering and poor access for disabled delegates which is a shame. The moderators apologized and said they would try harder next time, which felt like ... a very easy thing to say.
Overall it wasn't what I hoped it would be. I hope others had a better time .
Seems like they have a similar set of values as UU
A little over a year ago I felt a yearning to go back to church, having been raised Lutheran [ELCA] from infancy. I found my current U.U. church because they were holding services online due to concerns about COVID. I've been going to my new church in person as work permits (I work in retail). They still offer their services online for those who for whatever reason can't make it to church in person.
I just got done watching the General Assembly in Pittsburgh over YouTube.
I connect with the highest ideals of the U.U. church. I feel like I can be myself in a U.U. environment far more than I could in the church I was born/baptized and raised in.
Somehow, it seems as if the General Assembly's worship service was on the thin side. The reading was good, no problem in that department. But there were only a few songs, and towards the end seemed repetitive. For a service that's twice as long as my local church, they seemed to be doing less with the time they had. A lot less.
In the Lutheran church I grew up in, they accomplished a lot more in about an hour: a rich liturgy; more songs, both from the choir and the congregation; multiple readings from the Bible-- Old Testament and New Testament, including a reading from the Psalms; the ceremony of Communion; and a sermon from the pastor. And on top of that, announcements. Actually, sometimes it seems like there's too much ceremony, that it got tedious sometimes, when I was growing up.
I understand U.U. is a new religion, only a few generations old. It doesn't have a lot of experience under its belt-- they're still figuring out what U.U. ceremonies look like. Whereas Lutheranism was born out of the attempt to reform the Catholic Church of its day.
So maybe I'm comparing walnuts to maple syrup...................
In a way, I miss the richness of the church I grew up in.
Was asked to share this with a group at service today and this group seemed appropriate:)
Sorry for the oddly specific question, but I'm not sure where else to ask this - I've recently moved to Seattle and was excited to join the local UU contingent marching in the Pride parade, as I've done in the last few places I've lived. But looking at the websites of several nearby UU congregations, I'm not seeing anything about a UU presence at Pride here. I'm wondering if that's due to Pride coinciding with GA? Or if I'm just out of the loop, could someone please let me know how to get involved? Thanks!
By "k"
I don't like to think
About Pat Robertson going to hell.
That lets him off too easy.
I like to think about
Pat Robertson finding himself
In a heaven he never believed
Would exist.
Where Divine is reading in drag
To the children murdered at
Sandy Hook and Ulvalde.
While Edie Windsor
And Gertrude Stein drink coffee
In the breakfast nook
talking politics with Harvey Milk.
Where Matthew Shepard relaxes by
A stream, reading poetry to
A nameless young man whose family
Never claimed his body when he died
Of AIDS.
Where the music plays loudly
Welcoming dancers from the Pulse
And Club Q to the floor where they
Twirl and vogue with
All the murdered trans women of color
Whose names we never knew.
Where Jesus puts his arm around
Pat Robertson's shoulders and
Drapes them with a rainbow feather boa.
And, gesturing around him says
Come, meet my disciples.
"Our Authentic Selves"
Sunday, June 18, 10:50 am
To parent (officially or unofficially) we have to be our best selves, but also increasingly I realize the gift of being our authentic self -- as parents, more so perhaps than in any other role. That gift is not an easy one to offer, but we find ways to do it. And the world splits gorgeously open when we do.
Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Richard Davis-Lowell, Worship Associate; Michele Kennedy, Soprano; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; Mark Sumner, Pianist
Eric Shackelford, Camera; Santana Gonzalez Gomez, Live Chat Moderator; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Judy Payne, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher
I’m 29, and it has been a long time since I went to church. I left on a spiritual journey in 2016 and I somehow found myself here. But I am worried that if I do go, it will be an older congregation and I will be out of place. What’s your experience with your congregations?
I am a trans woman, and I volunteered to represent trans persons at today's pride service. I had been mulling over what to say, but I knew I wanted to relate to this song. I could have been angry, but chose not to be. I finished writing this five minutes before the service began.
One of my touchstone songs was written by the great theologian and reluctant rock n roll hall of famer, Todd Rundgren. Change Myself, off his Second Wind album. Sorry I'm not going to sing it, but I have a few quotes.
I want to change the world I want to make it well How can I change the world When I can't change myself Try again tomorrow
Trans persons, as well as the rest of our community are the current low hanging fruit, to the media. Since my surgery, I've become a media consumer. I don't watch direct sources, as I don't want to give these commenters the clicks. But I've seen enough to know that they will misdirect, beg the question, be willfully ignorant and quote from faulty studies. When Todd sings about conquering your Citadel, it's about our intellectual honesty, and what we show the world. We have to be better than the forces raised against us. They may call our Pride a sin, but our Pride is the antithesis of shame. Feel good and confident, not boastful.
We can break barriers, with our friends and allies and being the better people.
If I want more peace in the world Then I must make peace with myself If I want more trust in the world Then I've got to trust in myself If I want more love in the world I must show more love to myself
I view the song as a wish to be a better person, and also realizing that we will fall short.
Who were/are the self-professed Christians or Christian groups that led you to atheism/UU ideals? Mine: five iron frenzy, Derek Webb, Rob Bell.
Hi!
I'm thinking of joining my local UU church. I visited once, and saw only one other BIPOC person besides me. I didn't have a chance to talk to them, unfortunately, before they left.
My question is for the BIPOC members of this forum: Do you feel accepted and welcome at your UU church? Any racist encounters or overtones? Anything you can share would be helpful. This is the only thing keeping me from joining so far.
Thanks so much!
I've been going to a UU church for about a year and a half. It's a small congregation. In this whole time, I've said about 5 sentences to the minister. The minister is a lovely person. Kind, intelligent, sensitive, etc. Very open to new people. But, as the song says, it's me, hi, I'm the problem. Religious leaders intimidate me badly. I was raised Catholic. We were pretty sporadic in attendance but I have no memory of talking to the priest in any casual manner. I'm a very friendly, confident, and outgoing person but, when I last tried talking with the reverend, I had actual tears in my eyes from embarrassment. Any advice? Any similar experiences? I would love to get past this. Thanks!
Since relocating a few years ago, I have considered seeking out a U/U congregation (there are a couple in my area) to consider joining because I’d like to have more social contacts in my (older) age group who have generally progressive views. I don’t have spiritual yearnings and am not particularly earnest in outlook although I can and will always act respectfully and cooperatively in my surroundings if I choose to be someplace.
"Life is Pure Jazz"
Sunday, June 11, 10:50 am
There are so many metaphors for life: a journey, an unfolding (like a flower), a cycle (like the cycle of the seasons), a drama ("Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player/That struts and frets his hour upon the stage"). And there are just as many metaphors about how to approach life so you weather it with grace, find some joy, meaning and come out on the other side having made something of it. How about life as jazz, pure jazz?!
Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Wonder Dave, Worship Associate; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director; Jon Silk, Drummer; Wm. García Ganz, Pianist; Richard Saunders, Bassist; Lambert Moss, Soloist
Shulee Ong, Camera; Eric Shackelford, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Asani Seawell, Live Chat Moderator; Matias Salazar, Sexton; Tony Miller, Sexton; Kelvin Jones, Sexton; Judy Payne, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher
I heard there were some issues in the last few years about an anti-trans UU pastor that has since been removed. I didn't find much about it with my weak-sauce google-fu. Anyone around here hear about that individual? thanks
Spiritual But Not Religious (SBNR) participants needed for research study examining the benefits of spirituality for mental health in non-religious millennials.
Hi! My name is Lauren, and I am a doctoral candidate at the University of St. Thomas Graduate School of Professional Psychology. I am conducting this study for my dissertation with the aim of helping mental health professionals better support clients who identify as SBNR.
Eligible participants:
- Self-identify as spiritual but not religious, and/or feel this is an accurate description of their beliefs.
- Believe their spirituality has had a positive impact on their mental health.
- Are between 27-42 years of age.
You will be asked to:
- Participate in a 60-minute interview via Zoom
- Provide feedback via email after reviewing themes identified from your interview (optional)
If you are interested in participating or have further questions, please contact me via email at hick5278@stthomas.edu. Participation is voluntary and can be revoked at any time without penalty. Thank you!
![]() | Do you guys feel she would make a great UU superhero? Censor spoilers for Across the Spider-Verse, please. [link] [comments] |
I’m am getting more and more involved in my local UU fellowships. We’ve come up with a good number of internal fundraisers, but the community can only give so much. What successful fundraising ideas have you come up with that your congregation runs to help with a little bit of cash flow from outside of your attendees?
I'm in a low point in my life. I'm seeking to belong to a compassionate community. There's a UU church 4 miles away that I want to go to. I want to try to go to Sunday service, but I'm worried. I'm worried I'll be out of place somehow. I'm a 32 year old woman and I'll be going by myself. I recently escaped an abusive relationship. I'm very alone, and suffering from PTSD. I'm just scared that people won't be welcoming. I don't know. I'm going to try going.
Hey folks. As the title says, what are some fictional characters you imagine as Unitarian-Universalist? I ask as I was inspired by reading articles of superheroes of different religious backgrounds as well as how I believe there is not a lot of UU representation out there so, what fictional characters you guys imagine would make great UUs?
To me, I can picture three: Hiccup Haddock from How to Train your Dragon for his compassion and love towards dragons, as how he's willing to do anything for them to be safe, along with him challenging his beliefs and, in a more recent example, Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy for how liberal-minded the kids are while literally fighting to make sure their people are safe (as they are superheroes).
Anyone else have any picks?
![]() | Wishing community and peace to all- [link] [comments] |
Hello!
My question for UUs is about blending faiths. I feel like I see a lot of UUs who come together that each have their own single faith (or nonfaith) that they adhere to and they come together in unity. But I am wondering about people who try to blend faiths in as respectful a way as possible. Is this accepted in the UU? How common is it? Any personal experiences?
For myself, I was raised partially Catholic and Protestant. I do not truly believe in the supernatural aspects of the Bible anymore. But I still have such respect and admiration for the poetic nature of the Bible (which I feel I still find so much personal spiritual growth through) and the cultural traditions (e.g. Lent). However, I feel like I connect to nature-centered pagan beliefs. Additionally, I've found so much spiritual enlightenment from Buddhism.
So I'm wondering if UU is an accepting path for kind of "meshing" beliefs and traditions like this? Any insight would be helpful!
Hello all!
I'm currently in the process of researching UU with the desire to return to my pursuit of spiritual growth and personal peace. I was hoping that by posting here, I could get some questions that myself and my partner have, and perhaps find the courage to actually reach out to my local congregation.
So first off, I would like to say that UU seems like THE option for us, partly because my partner and I do identify as LGBTQ+. But our marriage is typically seen by outsiders as heterosexual because we both identify as our AAB genders and we do not pursue our other sexual interests because we are happy with our marriage. Many will recognize this as "you can't be pan/bi, you're married to (opposite cis-gender category)," or "you can't be poly if you haven't had another partner in (insert time period)." Frankly, we're fine with that. We gave up the poly lifestyle quite a few years ago, and we have no problem being perceived as a fully heterosexual couple (known by intolerant society as "normal").
But these particular facts of our lives, among others such as the variances in our beliefs from the norm, the popularity contests of church work quotas, the cliques, the bigotry, and the hatred both given and received by our previous Christian churches led us to shutter ourselves away from religion. We, as people, were not respected or accepted by our previous churches for living lives of "sin." We have always worshipped in our own way, and we have always remained spiritual, but we never felt like we fit into a normal church.
So here are our questions:
1.) Do we have to pay to be members? We've read on our local congregations site that they depend on "member pledges" to function. We have no problem donating when we can to specific functions or needs, but we don't think it's right to have to pay a fee to attend church. We're barely scraping by as it is, and we don't want to feel like our church is a subscription service that will be cut off without payment.
2.) What does "whoever you are, whoever you love" ultimately allow? Of course, we have no issue with LGBTQ+. But we absolutely do not support abusive behavior of ANY kind. So we want no part of a community that allows spousal or child abuse, or allows sexual abuse (especially of minors). Being blunt here, if UU accepts or even tolerates p*dophiles, or calls them "MAP"s or anything like that, it's an automatic no for us. Please forgive me if this seems offensive, I swear my only intent is to be informed, as my partner and I have survived both of those horrible abuses and thus have suspicions and anxieties.
3.) What kind of interactions can we expect in regards to our personal beliefs? For example, we don't believe in the Bible because it was written by men, not God. And we believe that it's entirely possible that even if God dictated it to these men, that they could have misunderstood or purposefully manipulated his words. We really don't see any other explanation for things like "God" saying to force a woman to marry her rapist or to sell a child into slavery for disappointing their father. Because honestly, what loving and benevolent diety would demand that? HOWEVER, we do believe in the good lessons, such as loving thy neighbor, do not steal, kill, etc. How would we be perceived?
I will probably come up with more questions over time, but these three are the most imperative to our decision. I apologize for the post being so long, but I am sincerely seeking a reconnect with a community that I can feel safe and respected in. Thank you to anyone who has gotten this far and responds! I appreciate you!
I’ve been eyeing up my local UU church for many years now. I grew up going to Christian school at first and went to church with my grandma and later a friend, but not within a religious family. There were always things about Christianity that I didn’t agree with even as a young child and things that I believed in that didn’t align. I fully rejected organized religion as a teenager but was still open-minded to certain aspects of paganism and new age spirituality. That kind of stuff was appealing to me as a little nature-loving hippie.
I then spent a few years active in AA and found a home there as a young adult. I became much more open-minded to seeing universal truth in various religions including Christianity (still was not Christian, just found value in the teachings of some Christian mystics due to early influence on AA texts and certain authors’ popularity among members). I enjoyed service commitments and felt spiritually fulfilled. It’s a long sad story, but it’s not really my home anymore and I feel like I’ve been missing that sense of community with other seekers for the last 5 or so years that I haven’t participated. I’ve been sort of trying to seek a sense of spirituality again on my own but it’s lacking. I have since explored paganism more than ever, but still have beliefs rooted elsewhere. I usually just say I’m agnostic lol.
I’m now pregnant and starting to feel like this is the time to finally explore UU. I want my child to grow up in a like-minded community and to have fun and meaningful opportunities like I did from participating in church. I wish I had grown up learning about all sorts of religions and been encouraged to explore my own beliefs. I also won’t be working much for the next few years (or so it seems like it’ll go that way) and I think it’ll be good for me to have somewhere to be. I want a more accessible avenue for volunteering and activism. My husband is just curious and would like to tag along. He very much likes the idea of our child being involved in something like this though.
Anyway, I don’t know why I’m typing this out. I guess I feel like most of my friends and family won’t understand this sort of thing and I tend to analyze my decisions into exhaustion. I’m excited though and can’t stop reading the local church’s website. They have a pagan group, a drum circle, a writers group, mindfulness group, a large vegetable garden, and many “teams” for various issues including food security. All things that are particularly appealing/familiar to me! But I’m looking forward to exploring anything they have to offer. I just really hope I like it. Thanks for reading if you made it this far.
Is it a group with ties to any specific religion? Does it exclude people for reasons of race, ethnicity, gender, sex, or sexual/romantic orientation? Are only certain religions welcome? Like, could someone be a Heathen or Rodnover or Dionysian or Wiccan, and still be a UU?
Are there rules or control systems? Are there certain political views associated?
Does it require Church attendance to be a UU?
Is it more like an ideology? Is it a religion?
Is criticism welcome when an issue is noticed?
I’m worried to join this subreddit because I (no offense) am worried it may be an abusive, anti-LGBT, anti-BIPOC, or generally anti-progressive cult. I have no knowledge of it, except for that it was founded by someone who left the Bahá’í faith because of the issues with Bahá’í. But I’m also confused because if I remember correctly, they describe it as conservative. Conservative, from what I know, has a lot of implications like being capitalist, pro-hierarchy, anti-progressive, anti-minority, against seeing animals as people, etc.
Apologies if I have worded anything badly, or misunderstood anything, or have made this too long, or have asked too many questions. Thank you to anyone who answers, and have a wonderful day/night!
"Extravaganza!"
Sunday, June 4, 10:50 am
Join us for this multigenerational celebration of the end of our year together. Bring a flower to be part of our celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Flower Communion introduced by Unitarian minister Norbert Čapek of Prague, Czechoslovaki and hear the story of Čapek and the ritual. Let's sing, hear the bells, enjoy the choir and tell stories. Service will be followed by our Annual Meeting! Please bring a flower from your garden to be part of this Sunday's Flower Communion ritual!
Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Dennis Adams, Worship Associate; UUSF Bell Choir led by Organist Reiko Oda Lane; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director; Wm. García Ganz, pianist
Eric Shackelford, Camera; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Gregory Stevens, Live Chat Moderator; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Matias Salazar, Sexton; Dan Barnard, Facilities Manager; Linda Messner, Head Usher
Many UU churches in New England merged with UCC churches and I kind of love it. Knowing that two distinct associations of churches can seamlessly merge with each other is truly a work of God. Federated churches aren’t uncommon either but it seems that UUA/[insert denomination here] is uncommon. Many times it’s UCC/American Baptist or UCC/Presbyterian (rather expected), UCC/UMC/American Baptist (as is the case in Brookline, MA). Does anybody know any federated congregations that are associated with the UUA and another denomination? It can be any denomination but the congregation needs to have one membership (so I’m really asking about merged churches, federated churches don’t necessarily have to one entity, just a single building). Thanks! It fascinates me and brings me great joy seeing diverse traditions coming together.
Who’s heading to Pittsburgh? Any delegates? It’d be fun to have a Redditor meetup!
I’m bisexual and genderqueer using They/them pronouns ———————————— Hello I just wanted to introduce myself to the group. Though my congregation is Christian (it’s a UUA/UCC community in Orleans, MA) and emphasizes UU values, my beliefs are still unequivocally Trinitarian and more traditional but I’m more than happy to attend worship at a UUA congregation if that’s what God is calling me to do. Officially, I’m a member of Cathedral of Hope in Houston and haven’t looked back. Each week, I worship with them and an Episcopal Church in Philadelphia (virtually of course) . Both churches have made me a better person and have shown that no matter what, we’re all God’s children. Thank you for having me and I look forward to engaging in thoughtful and respectful conversations with you! I don’t currently drive so physically attending any church is difficult.