I was wondering if anyone here has taken classes at either of those schools, or Harvard Extension (social justice certificate).

Specifically, are the classes all discussion and writing/projects, or are there tests that require a lot of memorization?

I’m referring to graduate classes only.

The reason I’m asking is I had a brain tumor and my memory has been impacted. It’s not horrific, but based on grad school I did 30 years ago, I don’t know that I could memorize mass amounts of information like I used to. I believe I could now do well with writing and projects.

I took a stand-alone grad course a few years ago and was shocked there were no tests.

Hello! I am on a task force at our fellowship to revamp our lobby and make it more inviting. Our name tag "wall" is not super functional and not attractive. I would really like if anyone could share photos/ideas about how your name tag displays work! Pictures are 10X better. Thanks!

Edit to say I am not looking on name tag revamping, but rather how they are displayed/organized in the lobby, etc.

Hi All,

I was just asked to be the chair of our parish's public outreach committee. Our committee is only four people deep.

Our parish is in transition. Our minister retired and we haven't found a new one yet. Like many churches, we skew older but our parish acts a lot younger (personally, I'm a millennial and one of the few who attends regularly.)

We've been brainstorming ideas to get people to come back to church, specially young families and people who are (for lack of a better term) addicted to doom-scrolling. My main focus is to convince people that we aren't just a church. We are a "third place" for younger people and families to have fun, engage in good work, and find a sense of purpose.

If you don't mind, here are some ideas I've proposed to the committee. Any feedback is welcome. Feel free to "steal" ideas. Please share what you've done to get more people involved. Thank you!

Basic Outreach ideas:

• Simple Branding
  • Vinyl bumper stickers, water bottles, t-shirts
  • Give out to members
  • Provide ways for non-members to find us
  • Simple and fun messages
• Community Calendar
  • Reach out to local business and organizations about events and specials
  • Create monthly calendar showcasing events around town
  • Send to church members and open it up to the public
  • QR code left around town
• Sunday Patriot games
  • 1 o'clock Patriots games streamed in the Chapel
  • Open to public
  • Serve non-alcoholic drinks
  • Promote via local Board of Health as a free and dry community event for people in recovery
• Waters on the Waterfront
  • Small cooler with a couple of church members handing out free bottle waters
  • Focus on hot days/weekends + town events
  • Sandwich sign QR code with church information
  • Promote free daycare during sermons
• Open Mic Night
  • Start with local school students
  • Add in additional, non-student, nights if there is enough of a following
  • Create free, safe, and fun environment for students
  • Ask for any amount donation at the door (pocket change welcome)
• Larger Social Media Presence
  • Stream services on every platform
  • Promote church with ads on social media
  • Promote non-church related events
  • Encourage members to join/follow
• Booth at every town event
  • Never pass up a local event
  • Make a spandex tablecloth
  • Have families at the table
  • Create a simple and straightforward postcard to handout
• Parish Post Card
  • To be handed out at events and possibly mailed to residents
  • Have a group photo and QR code to our information
  • Welcoming and easy to understand
  • Create slogan (example: “U matter, U belong, UU"?)

Long term outreach ideas

• Game night
  • Either just for fun or competitive
  • Open to members and public
  • Find niche gaming groups
  • Provide prizes for competitions
• Friday Night Babysitting
  • Hire 2–3 daycare workers to babysit three hours on a Friday night
  • Church members only
  • Allow young parents to have a nice night out
  • Once a season (four times a year)
• Church volunteering
  • Find events around town that fit the church’s mission and volunteer
  • Partner with local non-profits
  • Outreach of actions over words
  • Create our own volunteer options
• Free meeting space for non-profits
  • Monday through Thursday afternoon/evenings
  • Provide a free and simple space in the Chapel for non-profits to have meetings
  • Allow for flexibility for need of space (fundraisers, events, etc.)
  • See if church members can get involved
• Children's group rentals
  • Cheap rent for temporary groups
  • Focus on school vacations
  • Open for members or public
  • Promote with local schools
• Cheap children's party location
  • Allow for parties in parish house
  • Very low cost for small parties
  • Provide space for take out food
  • Make a list of kids groups who parties can hire
• Guest speaker series
  • Once a month
  • A new speaker instead of a sermon
  • Promote and open to the public
  • Aligns with church values

Any advice/feedback would be beyond helpful. Thank you!

Hey everyone, I’d love some insight from other UUs who’ve been through this.

I really love my local congregation. It’s such an open, genuine community where people care deeply about each other, and that’s what keeps me showing up. But I’ve started to worry about our long-term sustainability. Our average age is around 55, and most new members are also older. We don’t have many younger people or families joining, and attendance overall has been slowly shrinking.

At the same time, we’re struggling financially. We can’t do much community outreach or use the space outside Sunday services because of tight funds. There’s so much heart here, but not much visibility or growth.

I’m not trying to replace or sideline our longtime members, since they’re the backbone of this place. I just want to help make sure the community they’ve built continues for future generations.

I’d love to hear from folks who’ve faced this before: • What’s actually worked to attract new or younger members while keeping elders engaged and valued? • How can we stay relevant and connected on a small budget? • Are there creative outreach or program ideas that have helped your congregation find new life?

PS this is being cross posted so if you see it twice it was intentional.

I am deleting my reddit account. When the law says my UU values make me a criminal or terrorist, and tech platforms make no effort to protect privacy or speech rights, I don't see another choice. Faith communities have always been a powerful platform for in-person organizing, and I believe we still are. I am not going to stop standing up for my neighbors or myself, but you won't see me putting it in writing somewhere like reddit. I urge all my fellow UUs to consider moving your energies offline whenever possible. We can be the ones we've been waiting for.
Love, solidarity, and see you on Sunday.

My son is 3y3m old and has been going to UU church since infancy. I was raised UU and my husband (he refers to himself as a “recovering catholic” lol) teaches Youth Group.

We have done our best to raise him in congruence with UU principles. We want him to have a strong moral foundation and community of acceptance, as well as feeling secure in his worth. Recently, my husband and I have had a lot of marital strain which has inevitably affected our kiddo. It’s not ideal, but we’re working on it together. Still, it’s hard not to analyze every normal toddler/child behavior as somehow Your Fault, and I think I’ve projected these fears a lot on to him recently. He’s just where he should be and doing great, but the parent guilt is real.

He moved from the nursery to RE last week. Today, his RE teacher let me know that he shared a joy and sorrow. His joy was that Monster (our very old and diabetic cat) died, but she’s always in his heart because he loves her so much. I believe that because he is confident in his place with the fellowship, he was comfortable in sharing something that is complex and emotionally conflicting. When he goes to church he knows he matters there. (This was particularly surprising because he has recently been less interested in sharing his emotions with me, which caused me some anxiety for the reason I previously mentioned.)

Hearing this beautiful perspective made me so, so happy that this community exists. There’s a lot of beauty, community, and worth here. We are so grateful for his church family (micro and macro) that love and support him in growing into an incredible human. I know what the church did for me but to see it manifest for my child just fills my heart to the brim.

Hello I'm a fairly new UU ( about 6 months ) Ann's I've been going to my church's build your own theology classes. We've discussed many topics but the one I've found most intrestibg is the way we title ourselves as UUs ranging from christian to athiest to pagan to taoist and ao on... I've come to learn I'm an Agnostic Athiest Unitarian Universalist who practices Chaos Magic. What a mouthfull haha , using this same system how would you describe your standing in the universe? ( :

Peace & ♡ from Lubbock Tx

Don't miss out! https://www.ncuucc.org/thanks-camp/

Hi everyone c:

I'm sorry to show up to this sub with a question as a non-believer but my nephew has become interested in Christianity and I want to support his beliefs/interests because the rest of the fam doesn't. My schedule doesn't permit me to bring him to church but he has a birthday coming up and I'd like to get him a book.

He doesn't seem to subscribe to any particular denomination but I think he likes the general Christian messages. His mom (and me too I guess) is a little worried about him falling down an Internet rabbit hole that leads to bigotry. I've had to talk to him about his comments on women a couple times. He's not a bad kid, he just needs support and a direction for his curiosity.

Can anyone recommend any good books for a teenager who is dabbling in Christianity? I really appreciate any guidance, thank you.

Practical Explanation ( For Example ) :- `1st of all can you tell me every single seconds detail from that time when you born ?? ( i need every seconds detail ?? that what- what you have thought and done on every single second )

can you tell me every single detail of your `1 cheapest Minute Or your whole hour, day, week, month, year or your whole life ??

if you are not able to tell me about this life then what proof do you have that you didn't forget your past ? and that you will not forget this present life in the future ?

that is Fact that Supreme Lord Krishna exists but we posses no such intelligence to understand him.

there is also next life. and i already proved you that no scientist, no politician, no so-called intelligent man in this world is able to understand this Truth. cuz they are imagining. and you cannot imagine what is god, who is god, what is after life etc.

_______

for example :Your father existed before your birth. you cannot say that before your birth your father don,t exists.

So you have to ask from mother, "Who is my father?" And if she says, "This gentleman is your father," then it is all right. It is easy.

Otherwise, if you makes research, "Who is my father?" go on searching for life; you'll never find your father.

( now maybe...maybe you will say that i will search my father from D.N.A, or i will prove it by photo's, or many other thing's which i will get from my mother and prove it that who is my Real father.{ So you have to believe the authority. who is that authority ? she is your mother. you cannot claim of any photo's, D.N.A or many other things without authority ( or ur mother ).

if you will show D.N.A, photo's, and many other proofs from other women then your mother. then what is use of those proofs ??} )

same you have to follow real authority. "Whatever You have spoken, I accept it," Then there is no difficulty. And You are accepted by Devala, Narada, Vyasa, and You are speaking Yourself, and later on, all the acaryas have accepted. Then I'll follow.

I'll have to follow great personalities. The same reason mother says, this gentleman is my father. That's all. Finish business. Where is the necessity of making research? All authorities accept Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. You accept it; then your searching after God is finished.

Why should you waste your time?

_______

all that is you need is to hear from authority ( same like mother ). and i heard this truth from authority " Srila Prabhupada " he is my spiritual master.

im not talking these all things from my own.

___________

in this world no `1 can be Peace full. this is all along Fact.

cuz we all are suffering in this world 4 Problems which are Disease, Old age, Death, and Birth after Birth.

tell me are you really happy ?? you can,t be happy if you will ignore these 4 main problem. then still you will be Forced by Nature.

___________________

if you really want to be happy then follow these 6 Things which are No illicit s.ex, No g.ambling, No d.rugs ( No tea & coffee ), No meat-eating ( No onion & garlic's )

5th thing is whatever you eat `1st offer it to Supreme Lord Krishna. ( if you know it what is Guru parama-para then offer them food not direct Supreme Lord Krishna )

and 6th " Main Thing " is you have to Chant " hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare ".

_______________________________

If your not able to follow these 4 things no illicit s.ex, no g.ambling, no d.rugs, no meat-eating then don,t worry but chanting of this holy name ( Hare Krishna Maha-Mantra ) is very-very and very important.

Chant " hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare " and be happy.

if you still don,t believe on me then chant any other name for 5 Min's and chant this holy name for 5 Min's and you will see effect. i promise you it works And chanting at least 16 rounds ( each round of 108 beads ) of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra daily.

____________

Here is no Question of Holy Books quotes, Personal Experiences, Faith or Belief. i accept that Sometimes Faith is also Blind. Here is already Practical explanation which already proved that every`1 else in this world is nothing more then Busy Foolish and totally idiot.

_________________________

Source(s):

every `1 is already Blind in this world and if you will follow another Blind then you both will fall in hole. so try to follow that person who have Spiritual Eyes who can Guide you on Actual Right Path. ( my Authority & Guide is my Spiritual Master " Srila Prabhupada " )

_____________

if you want to see Actual Purpose of human life then see this link : ( triple w ( d . o . t ) asitis ( d . o . t ) c . o . m {Bookmark it })

read it complete. ( i promise only readers of this book that they { he/she } will get every single answer which they want to know about why im in this material world, who im, what will happen after this life, what is best thing which will make Human Life Perfect, and what is perfection of Human Life. ) purpose of human life is not to live like animal cuz every`1 at present time doing 4 thing which are sleeping, eating, s.ex & fear. purpose of human life is to become freed from Birth after birth, Old Age, Disease, and Death.

When that time comes, I want the UU minister to do this. But I don't, sadly, actually have many friends at the UU church, and would not want something that's mentioned at the pulpit etc. She could perform it at the funeral home? Or the hospital chapel? I don't have any family here, so it won't be a group event.

When I first joined the church, my mother had her doubts but ultimately let me make my own path. Yet the rest of the family couldn't accept that and basically cast me aside. I'm sure you know by now but in the black community, religion is so ingrained in our conscience it's inconceivable that we become atheist or anything else. That scene from A Raisin in the Sun perfectly encapsulates this:

https://youtu.be/T5fo1mbumYA?si=2AB8K0IiIwq-FS2R

(Disclaimer: This is a personal description of my spiritual framework. I am not promoting a religion or asking anyone to join, but sharing my experiences and perspectives for discussion and exploration.)

Hi everyone!

I wanted to share my personal spiritual path, which I call “Pan-Egalithic Paganism.” It’s an eclectic and syncretic framework that blends mythology, spirituality, philosophy, science, and ethics. At its center is the Great Spirit Mother—the Mother Goddess and the archetypal source of life, spirit, and creation.

Core Principles: • Henotheistic focus on the Mother: She is supreme (both form and formless) and the ‘Ground of Being’ in my framework, but I honor all other deities (male, female, and beyond gender) as valid and meaningful. The Mother can also be understood metaphorically for those who prefer a symbolic lens. In addition, The Mother can even be identified not only as the “One” but as the “Whole” or the “Absolute” and we are all part of and within this absolute Whole itself. The Mother/the One and the absolute “Whole” are one and the same. • Syncretic inclusiveness: My path draws inspiration from a wide range of traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Semitic (Neo)Paganism, Wicca, Shaktism, Taoism, Shinto, Kemeticism, Hellenism, Celtic Paganism, Christo-Paganism, Hermeticism, Neoplatonism, indigenous religions, universalist paths, and more. It also incorporates philosophical and metaphysical concepts such as monism, pantheism, panentheism, animism, panpsychism, and aspects of Gnosticism. • Cosmic awareness: I honor the Sun, Moon, stars, and the cosmos itself as sacred, either as deities in their own right or as emanations of the Great Mother. Astrology, heliolatry, and the cycles of nature play a role in my meditation and ritual practice.

Mythos/Gospel Perspective: • I view spiritual struggle as the True Source (the Mother) versus the False God, a composite archetype of hierarchy, domination, and oppression. This interpretation reframes the Judeo-Christian God, Yahweh (who is also associated with or equivalent to Jehovah and Allah), as originating as a desert deity later absorbed into a system of institutionalized religion and hierarchy. • My framework emphasizes liberation, healing, and ethical alignment rather than fear, coercion, or dogma.

Chaos (theory) & Spiritual Perspective: • Chaos as Creative Mother: Chaos is fertile, primal energy — the living womb of possibility from which the cosmos emerges. It is not destruction or “badness.” • Distortion = Where Tyranny Emerges: Humans, in fear of uncertainty, tried to control chaos with law, hierarchy, and dogma, corrupting its sacred expression. This gave rise to Yaldabaoth — a false, tyrannical deity archetype. • Yaldabaoth as Perverted Chaos: He is not chaos itself but chaos twisted into possession, devouring, and rigid binary thinking (good vs evil, chosen vs damned). • Destruction in the Mother vs. Yaldabaoth: • Mother’s destruction is cyclical, womb-like, transformative — clears the old so new life can emerge. • Yaldabaoth’s destruction is authoritarian, coercive, and devouring — severed from renewal, used to instill fear and obedience.

Summary: The Mother embodies chaos + cosmos + creation + destruction, inseparable and restorative. Yaldabaoth represents chaos corrupted into sterile consumption, hierarchy, destructive violence, and oppression. This reframes spiritual struggle as connection vs disconnection, fertility vs sterility, integration vs fragmentation. • Horn God & sacred masculine archetype: Male deities exist in partnership with the Mother, complementing Her without being supreme. While the Horn God (and the sacred masculine counterpart) are equal in partnership, they are not equal in origin.

Ethical & Practical Aspects: • I focus on equality, anti-authoritarianism, solidarity with marginalized communities, and building a culture of unity-in-diversity. • My rituals and practices include offerings of words, art, or music; meditation; aligning with natural and cosmic cycles; and reflective gnosis and visionary experiences; seeing spiritual divinity from within.

Why I’m Sharing: I hope to connect with others exploring inclusive, pluralistic, and eclectic spiritual frameworks. .

Questions for the community: • Do any of you weave multiple traditions or philosophies into your own UU practice? • How do you balance honoring diverse spiritual expressions with staying grounded in your own center? • Have you encountered ways UU theology already honors the Divine Feminine or similar archetypes?

I’d love to hear how others navigate these themes from a UU lens.

I'm short on rent rn and it's due in a few hours. It's me and my wife. We don't have any family. If anybody could help I'd appreciate it.

This is a total shot in the dark. Several months ago I was looking for how other congregations do something (that part is irrelevant) and I went to scores of uu church websites. on the landing page of one of them they had a very cool widget that was basically their own mini marketplace. You want to get rid of a sewing machine? Post it for sale there. You're looking for a pelican floor lamp? Post your request and someone might sell/give you the one in their attic (although the items listed were much classier lol, with art and cars and vacation homes I think.

Does that sound like your website? Can you dm me a link? I loved the tool and want to suggest something similar for my NoVA congregation. Thanks!

I recently joined the UU near me and borrowed a book from their library section titled Fourteen Journeys to Unitarianism but couldn't get past the first ten pages without the casual 1950s racism. I love the idea of reading the stories of how people came to be in the UU, either raised or chosen later in life, but that book was not it for me.

So what's your story? How did you come to be a part of UU?

(And is there an updated collection of essays about how people came to UU?)

I’m curious about what other UUs prefer as the name or term for what we call religious and/or spiritual education, exploration, growth etc. and the broad array of learning opportunities and community building activities in our communities— these often constitute classes, curricula, small group study and discussions, and arts programs for all ages beginning of course with children and youth but extending through the “lifespan” for adults and usually open to members and visitors alike.

In my congregation the term has long been “RE” for Religious Exploration (or Education). Other congregations may use “Lifespan Faith Development” or other descriptors. Lately I’ve noticed a tendency for the UUA to refer to “Faith Formation,” a term which has a more distinctly Christian origin and (IMO) connotation. Lately, my congregation’s team has been shifting to “Lifelong Learning” as a more broad and inclusive umbrella for all of what we do.

I’m interested to know what terms you prefer and which terms are most effective at connecting with UUs and prospective newcomers alike — and why!

View Poll

I had never heard of UU until 2 months ago.

I was raised Catholic. Never wanted to go to church, had to be forced to do the rites/activities, and ultimately never went to church again after teenage years. As an adult, I would have called myself anti-religion, I don't really believe in God, at least not the way I had grown up hearing about.

The last few years I have felt like something was missing in my life. A yearning, or discontentment of sorts, in the social/familial/community sense. So, I tried making new friends. Fail. I tried some community volunteer work. Epic fail. (* with that specific program, I will continue volunteering in the future, but this program was a huge let down).

Then, two ish months ago I am searching my neighborhood on maps for something unrelated and for whatever reason the UU church pops up. I look at the website and am intrigued. I had never heard of Uu nor did I know I had a church so close to my house.

I decided to go, and wow!! I love it. I have been looking forward to Sunday mornings ever since. I look at their calendar for other events and ways to get involved. My first Sunday I was moved almost to tears by the music and by what was said. WHY is this place not more known about???

The only awkward thing is now I feel hesitant to mention to people (coworkers/friends/family) that I go to church. I was so critical of it before! But I get it now. Now that I've found the right place. And also I still don't really believe in God so that seems like it could be awkward to explain too...

Anyway, thanks for reading my happy rant. :)

Hi everyone!

I wanted to share my spiritual path and belief system/framework, which I call “Pan-Egalithic Paganism.” It’s an eclectic and syncretic framework that blends storytelling, spirituality, philosophy, science, and politics. At its heart is the Great Spirit Mother (the Mother Goddess, the Great Mother archetype) — the true universal supreme source and deity.

I see all goddesses, feminine deities, and divine female spirits across history (even dating back to pre-civilization Mother Goddess reverence) as Her manifestations and emanations. But I also honor pluralism: people can worship or honor other deities freely, and diversity of spiritual expression is essential.

Core Principles of Pan-Egalithic Paganism: • Henotheistic focus on the Mother: She is supreme (both form and formless) and the ‘Ground of Being,’ but all other deities (male, female, and beyond gender) can be honored. The Mother can also be understood metaphorically/symbolically for those who don’t believe in a literal deity. In addition, The Mother can even be identified not only as the “One” but as the “Whole” or the “Absolute” and we are all part of and within this absolute Whole itself. The Mother/the One and the absolute “Whole” are one and the same. • Syncretic inclusiveness: My path incorporates elements from: • Religions & spiritualities: Hinduism, Buddhism, Semitic (Neo)Paganism, Wicca, Shaktism, Taoism, Shinto, Đạo Mẫu, Tengrism, Jainism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, Christo-Paganism, Celtic Paganism, Kemeticism, Hellenism, Hermeticism, Neoplatonism, Indigenous religions, (Unitarian) Universalist Paganism, Discordianism, and others. • Philosophical & metaphysical systems/concepts: Monism, pantheism, panentheism, panpsychism, cosmopsychism, panprotopsychism, animism, animatism, panspiritism, emergentism, deism, pandeism, panendeism, physicalism, aseity, immutability, and aspects of Gnosticism (including Gnostic alchemy). • Cosmos-based elements: Astronism/astrolatry, heliolatry, reverence for the earth and natural cycles, multiverse/alternate reality concepts, and science (Big Bang theory, Stardust theory, and evolution).

Mythos/Gospel Perspective: I believe we live in a form of spiritual warfare, but not as most people frame it (not “God vs. Satan”). Instead, it is the True Source (the Mother) vs. the False God — the archetype of hierarchy, domination, and oppression. • The False God is the biblical Judeo-Christian/Abrahamic deity (Yahweh/Jehovah/Allah), whom I interpret as Yaldabaoth — a malevolent spirit from outside the natural cosmos. I portray him as a chimera-like monster, a composite being who rose from desert tribal religion and became a global system of domination through empire and organized religion. • The Mother, by contrast, is the true source of life, spirit, and liberation, calling us to return, remember, and align with Her and with nature/the planet and the cosmos.

Ethical & Political Alignment: • My path emphasizes redemption, not abandonment — healing fractures, remembering who we are, recognizing our own spiritual “divinity,” and realigning with nature and the Mother. • I oppose hierarchy, coercion, dogma, false/flawed dualities and binaries, separatism, and false moral frameworks (such as rigid moral absolutism) that justify oppression. • This framework aligns with post-left anarchism/post-anarchism: egalitarian, anti-authoritarian, non-hierarchical, and matrifocal in orientation (but not matriarchal). And I see women — especially women of color and indigenous women — as central to building liberation-focused communities. • It also centers unity-in-diversity, solidarity, and co-existence, especially for all marginalized and oppressed peoples.

Chaos (theory) & Spiritual Perspective: • Chaos as Creative Mother: Chaos is fertile, primal energy — the living womb of possibility from which the cosmos emerges. It is not destruction or “badness.” • Distortion = Where Tyranny Emerges: Humans, in fear of uncertainty, tried to control chaos with law, hierarchy, and dogma, corrupting its sacred expression. This gave rise to Yaldabaoth — a false, tyrannical deity archetype. • Yaldabaoth as Perverted Chaos: He is not chaos itself but chaos twisted into possession, devouring, and rigid binary thinking (good vs evil, chosen vs damned). • Destruction in the Mother vs. Yaldabaoth: • Mother’s destruction is cyclical, womb-like, transformative — clears the old so new life can emerge. • Yaldabaoth’s destruction is authoritarian, coercive, and devouring — severed from renewal, used to instill fear and obedience.

Summary: The Mother embodies chaos + cosmos + creation + destruction, inseparable and restorative. Yaldabaoth represents chaos corrupted into sterile consumption, hierarchy, destructive violence, and oppression. This reframes spiritual struggle as connection vs disconnection, fertility vs sterility, integration vs fragmentation. • Horn God & the sacred masculine archetype: I also honor the Horn God archetype and the sacred masculine. Male deities exist in partnership with the Mother, complementing Her without being supreme. While the Horn God (and the sacred masculine counterpart) are equal in partnership, they are not equal in origin.

Ritual & Practical Side: Offerings & Altars • Offering words (poetry, prayers), music, or art rather than physical items. • Creating an altar (even digital/mental) with images of the Mother Goddess, other goddesses/deities, symbols, etc.

Astrology & Numerology • Using sun/moon sign, Chinese/Eastern astrology, and Life Path numbers in meditations. • Looking at numbers/dates as sacred codes.

Seasonal & Cosmic Rituals • Tying my mythopoetic/gospel writing and rituals to solstices, equinoxes, eclipses. • Honoring cycles as expressions of the Mother Goddess.

Shadow & Liberation Work • Naming and rejecting the False God in ritual. • Using meditation or prayer to “banish” oppressive systems (e.g., patriarchy, capitalism, colonization). • Aligning oneself with freedom, love, and cosmic justice.

Mysticism/Gnosis (Private Practice) • Blending gnosis/knowledge, spiritual awareness, desire, experiential visions, dreams, and devotion to the Mother in rites. • Treating intimacy (even imagined/visionary) as sacred ritual union with the Great Mother.

Why I’m sharing this: I believe Pan-Egalithic Paganism bridges restoration and reinvention: reviving the primal reverence of the Great Mother while reimagining spirituality through science, philosophy, and pluralism. It’s meaningful to me because it unites myth, politics, cosmology, and ethics into one living framework.

I’d love to hear from others: • Do some of you also integrate many spiritual/philosophical systems into a personal path? • How do you all balance mythos, philosophy, and politics in your practice or worldview?

• And do any of you see parallels in your own practices or myths you’ve studied? Does my path and belief system overlap or have similarities with some of yours?

Thanks for reading, and I welcome any discussion!

As the title mentioned, I went to my first UU service this morning, it was amazing! I found my new home!

I grew up in a somewhat religious household, went to catholic school for early elementary, bounced from different x-tian denominations and once I got to H.S/Adolescence I became a staunch atheist and proponent for human rights, engulfed in the early 2000's SoCal punk scene, and then became an engineer. I thought witchcraft, satnism and the supernatural was interesting but as an engineer with a special interest in physics, it wasn't logical.

But, over the last few years, I've been pondering more about spirituality, divine purpose, and really just self growth with a therapist. I wasn't sure what/who I was looking for, turns out, I was looking for myself and a community that supported my drive to be to true to myself. My true being is of someone of love, justice, equality, a search for knowledge, and doing what I can to make the world a better place for everyone.

I can be awkward, shy, and kinda standoffish, thanks neurodivervence. I had heard of UU months ago but been kinda reluctant to go to a church, especially, now living in the South. My youngest daughter(10) wanted to have a sleepover with one of her GFs but they were going to a Southern Baptist church this AM and neither one of us were comfortable with it. Naturally, she was pretty bummed about it, so I ran the idea of going to our local UU Congregation by her, showed her the website, had a very open conversation about it with her. She liked the idea, so we went this morning. We were greeted with warm authenticity, heard some incredible messages that truly spoke to us, and met some phenomenal people. I felt like today's service was made for me, the Reverend shared an eerily similar story about finding her way to UU and a new home.

Hey all! I was raised in a pretty strict Christian household. No Harry Potter, no magic, das burned the Disney movies we did own. Church multiple times a week. Things like that.

I miss the community that came with church. However I don’t miss the people? I never met a meaner group of people, that’s for sure. I still hold my own beliefs and I’ve been doing some research into Unitarian Universalist and I guess I’m just wondering if anyone here came from a similar background? How did you move past that trauma to really dig into this? I’d love to attend services again but honestly, I’m worried. The thought of stepping into a religious space makes me anxious.

I've just found this prayer on here and wanted to share it with you.

A Prayer for Hope

Spirit of Love and Truth,
Help us to feel You in our breathing in and breathing out.
Quiet our minds even if only for a moment.
Still our bodies even if only for a moment.
Soothe our souls in this holy moment.

When uncertainty pervades, give us rest from worry.
When fear rises, give us peace.
When pain surfaces, give us a balm.

Some of our spirits are so weary,
Some of our bodies feel fried,
Some of our minds feel frantic and uneasy.
How long will this last, we ask in desperation?

Spirit of Life-giving Love,
Remind us of the cycles of life so that we might turn toward the dawn,
Turn toward the thaw,
And turn toward the rebirth of spring with New Hope.
Make that hope alive in us, oh Holy One!
Ignite that hope so it burns brighter than our fears.
And may that bright hope shine for others to witness,
That our Faith might be a beacon
And our Love a lamp to light the way.

Oh luminous Spirit, fill us with gratitude
As we turn toward one another in the human family,
Never alone on our journeys,
Always reminded of a greater Love that holds all.
Blessed Be, May it be so, Amen.

By Christin Green

The Article II wording of the Interdependence shared value includes the statement, "We covenant to protect Earth and all beings from exploitation." What is your UU congregation doing to promote this ideal?

Last Sunday’s worship service that I attended was led by a Neopagan. Prior to that service, I hadn’t been exposed to Neopaganism and am now intrigued by it, in particular the strand that is nature-focused and atheistic. The congregation that I attend does not have a chapter of the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS) but does have full-moon celebrations that include drum circles. I would appreciate comments about Neopaganism and CUUPS. Thank you.

This is a niche interest, but King’s Chapel in Boston, the oldest Unitarian church in America, uses a version of the BCP. Now said to be in its 9th edition. Said to be because I can’t find it for love nor money anywhere, nothing more recent than 1865. The chapel seems to not sell copies, and there is no digital copy anywhere. This was true three years ago last time I looked.

What’s up with this? Does anyone know? As it is I can’t even see a copy without going to Boston. It’s easier to find leaked national security documents online.

I've been divorced about two years- dumped in a new city where I had no friends. Needless to say, my UU community saved me and helped get me through it retaining 50% custody of my two kids. They absolutely made the difference.

Now that my new life is established, I find myself frequently compelled to recommend church to others (mostly men, especially with kids) in similar predicaments. I usually recommend any kind of church, but always explain that I'm an atheist, that UU has many atheists, the usual kind of description we all give for UU explaining that it doesn't really require a change in beliefs or even "joining" at all. I figure believers are very likely to already be familiar with churches, and it's the atheists who need directing. Just seeing the same faces every week and performing rituals with them is helpful for disconnected people. I wasn't particularly drawn to misogynist online spaces, but I could see the appeal, and friendships with women are useful in that kind of situation.

When recommending UU to people, I have usually stressed that they can go and expect not to be "worked on" for conversion. We don't have any kind of familiar legalistic command from God to go forth and harvest souls. Yesterday, though, I got to imagining- what if I did go door to door, and generally engage in the usual tactics of evangelism? It's attractive- I want my church to grow, I want to see more formerly-lonely people reaping the benefits of a community.

It seems like Unitarian "evangelism" begins and ends at efforts to make the church welcoming to newcomers- greeting them, and, in my congregation, a prescribed moment in service when they're invited to introduce themselves if they want to. Likewise the clarification at offertory that visitors are not expected to contribute financially. What are your thoughts on UU evangelism? How would you feel, for instance, if your intimate little congregation swelled to a megachurch and split into multiple congregations all over your city?

Hello, all. I'm not a UU. However, I am an admirer of the practice and belief systems behind it. Me, my wife and my son used to go to church years ago. However, being a queer (bisexual) person, I began questioning my faith about two years ago after seeing extremism within Christianity. I couldn't reconcile my faith anymore after that and the questions that had come up, also, at the time, I had discovered Deism. Logically speaking, it made a lot of sense to me to sort of become a "Deist," since I could give up everything I saw that was harmful in terms of a religious sense, but still believe in God. However, due to personal events and further pondering, that also fell apart and I basically became an agnostic/atheist.

That said, with my personal experiences, I've always tried to see goodness in people, act logically in my belief in ethically treating others, and believe deeply in human rights. I believe in peaceful coexistence with others, and the respect of others beliefs. Would this make me a Humanist also? Possibly.

My wife also left Christianity shortly after I did as she also shared many of my sentiments, and was raised in deep evangelical beliefs. So, we are both queer allies now, and "not religious" in the conventional sense.

I like the message behind UU churches and beliefs about treating others, and embracing your own beliefs, and being able to coexist with/love/respect others, even if you don't hold those beliefs. I've tried a couple UU churches, and it kinda eh... Wasn't for me. Also, my schedule is unfortunately extremely busy so even going to a UU church consistently is kind of difficult.

My wife's family is basically still evangelical Christian, and do not share our sentiments about Humanistic values and the LGBTQ community. I don't know exactly what their stance is, but I know they aren't really supporters or anything. I don't have any family left. Besides my wife and son, the only one I have left in my family, at least that is relevant in any way that I actually have any kind of contact with, is my Mom. She knows I'm queer, and I came out to her recently. I know she isn't necessarily an active supporter or anything like that, but she hasn't expressed hatred or any kind of bigoted views either from what I can see. My coming out to her went well.

Belief-wise... I don't really know what I believe. I might be an atheist, agnostic, Deist, spiritual naturalist... Who knows. I don't believe in anything supernatural honestly. My thoughts on god are... complicated. Perhaps I don't need a label.

That said, in my particular scenario and what me and my wife believe now.... non-religious and believe in compassion, respect, love and empathy towards others.... We feel pretty alone sometimes due to the current political climate.

I thought a great way to find a sense of community/other people like us who want to embrace others is trying a UU church again.... But like I said, going to any consistently is difficult due to timing usually and our chaotic schedule.

Any advice? It's really hard out here I feel like trying to navigate through not only what we believe ourselves, but trying to keep hateful/toxic beliefs out and also away from our son.

I went to church today, afterwards we had all the different groups within the church out with sign up sheets, as September is when all new committees start up. I was talking with the woman that represented the groups that feeds homeless and does food prep. I told her I just wanted to do something for my community that has nothing to do with politics. The woman next to her interjected telling me I still need to vote and told me about an upcoming local election. I told her I did vote and lately have pretty involved in local election, as they the Rezoning for my community is super irresponsible. She started arguing with me, kind of acting like I didn’t know what I was talking about and telling me there was misinformation. I started telling her numbers down to sq footage, I know my stuff and she still wanted to argue with me. All this after I told the other woman I just want to do something for my community that does not involve politics. Now I’m thinking maybe I picked the wrong church, there are 3 others not far from me. Is she a one off, should I have just kept to myself with I do vote and walk away. Why was she so in my face. Argh, left more bothered than when I walked in.

Hello everyone,

My husband and I have been talking about the importance of community in these completely insane times we are living in. I've always like the idea of church as a social outlet, but do not believe in any higher power whatsoever. I consider myself more of an atheist/humanist, but I am leaning more into the humanism lately as I age. I am also studying counseling in graduate school right now and that is pulling me in a more existential/humanist/spiritual direction. Here are my questions about UU that are keeping me from jumping right in:

1. I have 9 year old twins, and I can't decipher from my local UU website what they teach to children. I would just like some kind of idea what they might be taught, so any insight is appreciated.

2. I see from this reddit page that there is not a one-size-fits-all answer to "how religious is this?" but like...how religious is this? I don't want to accidentally join a covert new-age christian cult...

3. How much identity politics are we getting into here? I was going to type more to this questions but I think I'll leave it at that.

4. What are some reading materials (books, preferably) that can get me started?

Thanks for reading and responding!

Hey everyone!

So, I’m an Episcopalian. I’m a very progressive and affirming Christian, I’m left leaning politically and I need to know if I could be UU. I believe in God and Jesus and standard Episcopalian doctrine, but I’m a hopeful universalist. I’m skeptical of the concept of hell and I’m influenced by thinkers like Swedenborg and other mystics even like Rumi. I think perhaps it is possible to be Christian but also believe that divinity speaks to other traditions too. This is my tradition, it is home. But UU would allow me the ability to expand and associate and see how the divine is working in other traditions too. I really believe in the end everyone’s going to be “saved” anyway. I really love the UU philosophy of taking what resonates and leaving what doesn’t.

I’ve been attending a couple services with the Church of the Larger Fellowship. I seem to really like it so far! Any Christian UU resources? Or just anything I may find interesting? Haha. If I’m not welcome here, and this isn’t a tradition for me feel free to let me know. I would ideally like to consider myself both Episcopalian and UU. I appreciate your time. Thank you.

Like shouldn't its founding principles be universal throughout the world? And why aren't there more churches outside of the United States?

I’ve seen last supper photographs in a local UU church but God, Christ, or the Scriptures are seldom mentioned.

Hello friends. I have started a YouTube series where I talk about UU adjacent things. The link is the video playlist. If you have any video ideas that you'd like to see, let me know. Thank you for the love & support! :)

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-4Z4nxLvdOPzKZFhragvs5jYTHtA_kH_&si=3-Ykh6WcljBg5bHf

I know Chestnut Hill MA, Kings Chapel… do we know more congregations that keep a Book of Common Prayer?

I am a young woman (in STEM 💪🏻🤓) who broke off from the Catholic Church years ago as a young adult when it no longer resonated with me. Since then, I have identified as atheist, but have missed a congregation/community as well as a framework that helps me to push myself to be better and explore my views and opinions. I truly never thought I would be excited about a religion ever again (or welcomed in one), until I discovered UU this last week. I cannot tell you how excited I am that I discovered this! I am 1000% sure that this resonates with me and I am jumping in headfirst, reading “A Chosen Faith.” With all the uncertainty in the world, this really does help me to feel better about life. In fact, the political uncertainty is what brought me here- as I am frustrated that religion is being used in many ways to harm people, where I think that its purpose should be to uplift and meet people where they are. I want to act on this belief. It’s also just nice to belong to a community, whether in person or in spirit. I plan on going to a local UU church this weekend. It’s been a hard year for me, and I just wanted to put out there how excited I am! I truly think UU will help me to be a better person! Thanks for reading (if you did) ❤️🥰

HTX folx: Fringe Art Fest @ Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Church! Looking for a few more artists and 2 more musicians! Details below 👇 October 4th, 2025 for our 2nd Annual Fringe Art Fest!

BAUUC Fringe Art Fest 2025 Saturday October 4, 2025 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Church 17503 El Camino Real, Houston, Texas 77058

Hello dear UU-fellows! We are looking for a few more artists who would like to showcase their art work and sell their work! We are also looking for 2-3 more musicians to showcase their music or singing! All forms are welcomed. You’ll be provided a 30 min time slot for preforming. Must have your own set up.

Please inquire through Reddit or by emailing FringeArt@bauuc.org

Booths both inside and outdoors, with a variety of unique art! There will able light refreshments as you wander through the festival. Traditional, eclectic, and abstract painting on paper or canvas, ceramic jewelry, sewn art such as purses and shoulder bags, wallets, etc., photography on canvas as well as paper, and antique porcelain dolls from long ago.

Each artist will be required donate a piece of their art for the silent auction room. Feel free to spread the word! Let’s make this year another success!

Set up: Friday October 3rd, 4 to 8 pm or Saturday, October 4th, 8:30 to 10 am

Hello friends. I recently moved, and I'd like to use this as an opportunity to support UU artists. If you, or know, is a UU artist, please link their website. It's fine if it's a print or original. All art styles are welcome, and UU/religious art is preferred. Peace & love.

It was great! The people were open minded, kind, and welcoming. We shared stories. There was a sense of community I've been missing (i haven't been to any church in years). I'm going to become a member!

I come from a Christian background. I am considering trying UU because I can't fathom the idea of there being one religion and one "right" way to live your life, but still want the spiritual growth and sense of community that church brings.

Was anyone else searching for this and found it in UU? Were you looking for something else? Did you find it or find something different?

I will be moving to the Istanbul area due to my spouses career -- any other UUs individuals around there? I know with organized UUs, there aren't.

(I'm Canadian, so I use the Canadian framework. I understand that the US does something different, so I am interested to see how that framework looks differently for you in this matter as well.)

I want to start under the assumption that we agree on Charlie Kirk having been an agent of evil, personal definitions of evil notwithstanding. If you disagree on that, then imo we are too theologically divergent to have a productive discussion on such a specific topic within the context of our faith.

I'm not really sure what it means to "celebrate" someone's death. But I remember when Thatcher died, there were a lot of toasts and cheers within my circle. I admit it did make me uncomfortable, partly because I do take seriously the inherent worth and dignity of every person. I came up with a line of "I'm sad that she didn't live to see socialism prevail", which I agree with, but I do see it as a bit of a cop out.

But Thatcher was old and poorly. She wasn't of sound mind, or in a position to wield power or influence. Where I live, she was barely even a symbol of conservatism, austerity, or neoliberalism compared to the likes of Reagan, Friedman, Sowell, or even Cameron.

Kirk, on the other hand, was very much at the top of his game in terms of the hate and destruction he soought to wreak. He was one of the most iconic propagandists in the USA over the last 10 years, relentlessly agitating for policy that has caused much more harm than the death of one man.

Now, in my opinion, there is a relatively straightforward reading of the first principal which would tell us that Kirk was a person, and therefore has worth and dignity. I would never seek to argue against this, it is in my opinion one of the most important tenets of our faith.

The fifth principal also highlights the importance of conscience and democratic processes. In my opinion, vigilantism is very clearly a breach of this principal.

However, the 2nd, 6th, and 8th principals, as accepted by the CUC are:

2) Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations;

6) The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;

8) Individual and communal action that accountably dismantles racism and systemic barriers to full inclusion in ourselves and our institutions

And Kirk was one of the most prominent and arguably effective actors in fighting against these principals in our own world. And even the first principal itself, Kirk did not respect the dignity and worth of anyone who wasn't a white able-bodied cishet man. And I want to emphasize that this was not a man seething in private; he actively sought to brutalize and destroy the most marginalized communities.

Finally, I come to the seventh principal, the respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. I worry about the backlash that this death will have. I am saddened for his kids, for everyone in attendance who witnessed an act of brutality. I am very aware that the consequences of an action can be varied and unknown, and a well-intentioned action can have a great many unintended consequences. And I am so deeply afraid for our beloved planet and our species.

What do you folks think?

Hey everyone, I’m kinda new to the religious status as a whole. To put things into perspective, I grew up catholic quite loosely to put it, my family was very affirming and open to all things progressive whether it came to social issues, lgbtq+ and progressive ideals. Think of it as Catholicism without all the back end hatred. I didn’t really ever go to church nor have any strong feelings towards religion in a whole. I’ve always known that I believed in an after life, a creator and a force beyond this world. With all that being said, I really don’t know what religion in a whole I identify with? Catholicism has always made me feel safe and comfortable in its own way but I know I don’t follow a lot of their teachings, have any of you felt this way before about your own beliefs, thanks everyone!!!

I will be mentioning Charlie Kirk here, so feel free to scroll past if you don't want to see political stuff. I'm just talking about my feelings about his death and how I don't support Turning Point USA.

I don't support Charlie Kirk, or Turning Point USA. I am super progressive and transgender. I think him and his group are a big problem. What they are doing is making them a menace to society. But each individual person within Turning Point USA isn't evil. They're just doing and saying things I think are wrong. Everyone has (or, I guess I should say, they should have) the opportunity to grow, change, and become better, more caring people. Not every person will change for the better, but how do you really know which people will or won't without giving them a chance?

Killing someone takes away that opportunity to change. It impacts the family of that person. It says "this person is inherently unworthy". So many people are happy he's dead. I'm not. I'm happy and relieved that there's one less person doing and saying awful things. Killing isn't the answer. Violence isn't the answer, unless someone is fighting back in self defense or protecting the person your with who's getting attacked. I wouldn't punch someone just for being right wing. I'd punch them is they were physically attacking me or my friend.

https://x.com/shellenberger/status/1966249089114464484?s=46

I hope next Sunday there will be many UU sermons preaching for nonviolence, without any statements that elected officials in our state and federal governments are fascists, like I’ve heard in recent UU sermons.

I feel certain that I saw a sermon online several years ago that focused on First Principle in light of public figures we disagree with. Or maybe I read something published by the UUA about this?

My very blurry memory of it has helped me emphasize compassion when struggling with current events.

I’m certain this is something I read or watched online. Any ideas?

I would be interested in any of your thoughts about why UU congregations are generally overwhelmingly white and predominantly old. Anecdotally, I’ve observed this for all the UU congregations in my area and also through the sampling of services I’ve watched in other places in the USA. And from what I’ve read on the Internet, my observations are consistent with the composition of most UU congregations, along with members being relatively well-educated on average. In comparison, I attended a couple of Eastern Orthodox Christian churches in my area in the last couple of years (as part of my last-gasp effort of considering Christianity) and they were growing dramatically, with lots of young people and more racial/ethnic diversity, but below the diversity of the broader area, than the UU congregations. At one of the churches, I had a conversation with a young Hispanic man who was also attending the church for the first time. He volunteered that he was gay and autistic. I also met a young man, also attending for the first time, that volunteered he had Jewish ancestry (and a Jewish name). At the other church, I attended an “Orthodoxy 101” class with a small number of attendees that was attended by a middle-aged black man with a younger black woman who I presumed was his daughter. And judging from the truck that he drove, there was a high probability that he was working class. (I also think he was pretty cool because he laughed at one of my sophomoric jokes during the class, unlike anyone else at the class that I can recall.) Anyway, I would be interested in your thoughts about this phenomenon and what if anything UU has been doing to successfully address this phenomenon. Thank you for your consideration of my questions.

After many years of grappling with theism, I’ve recently acknowledged to myself that I’m an atheist, meaning that I think there is insufficient evidence for believing in the existence of a theistic god (although I find Bernardo Kastrup’s “mind of nature” theory intriguing). I’ve been reluctant to acknowledge my atheism to myself in part because of my fear of nihilism. What has helped me immensely in my religious deconstruction and my current spiritual reconstruction is the book and podcast by Britt Hartley called No Nonsense Spirituality. I’m curious if any of you are familiar with Britt’s work and, if so, what your experience with it has been and whether it has been discussed in your UU congregation.

I’ve researched UU and watched services of local UU congregations and really like most of what I’ve learned and observed, including the UU values and principles, the sense of community, the outreach to provide food to those who can’t afford it and helping those who are learning English, and the welcoming of diversity in religious beliefs and sexual orientation. I’m an atheist who grew up in a family that was loving and religiously and politically conservative. I could voice my disagreement on political issues but agreeing with atheism was off limits as a practical matter out of fear of ostracism in both my family and social circles. My political views are generally centrist so I’m wondering whether or how I could fit in at a UU congregation. I would feel free to identify as an atheist, but would I have to remain silent, or even feign agreement, on political issues out of fear of ostracism? The sermons that I’ve watched at local UU congregations generally include at least vague criticisms of the state (I live in a red state) and federal governments.

Do you know whether it is customary for a church member to give the minister a gratuity when presiding at their family’s service? If yes, what amount is customary? I am absolutely without a clue. Our fellowship is in a high COL area west of the Sierras in case that's helpful.

Hey, people of this subreddit and the other one I'm crossposting to!

I’m a Unitarian Universalist-leaning agnostic atheist with a reverent disposition. I find wonder and transcendence in science and the natural world 🌿 I’m looking for likeminded people and deliciously different perspectives alike!

I’m interested in reading titles like…

• Ursula Goodenough, The Sacred Depths of Nature
• Loyal Rue, Nature is Enough and Religion is Not about God
• Jerome Stone, Religious Naturalism Today
• Chet Raymo, When God is Gone Everything is Holy

In fact, Raymo’s book is on its way to my mailbox now, and I’m hoping to start with it!

Does any of this sound intriguing to you? Want to test the waters? 🐳

I’m hoping to kick off a weekly reading group because research shows that weekly interactions lead to strong social bonds — and we’d pace it at a chapter a week to keep things accessible.

Think deep dives into meaning, emergence, and what makes life sacred. Thoughtful discussion about science, spirituality, and the search for meaning.

If you’d be into this, comment on this post with days and times that work for you! Please also DM me your email address (or Discord handle, if you’re more comfortable) so we can start a communication channel for those interested.

I don’t know if updates here are normal, but for whoever happens to see this update, I just wanted to give one after getting all of your responses over the last 24 hours.

Not to be overdramatic and super wordy (yet again, ha!) but for real, I’m tearing up all over again. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone who took the time to respond to me. Reddit can be a weird and dismissive place to be emotionally vulnerable, especially when it comes to anything involving faith or mental health and extra-especially with the world being on fire and all. You all managed to make me feel validated and welcome here in this faceless virtual space - to have questions/comments/concerns be heard and answered non-judgementally and helpfully... it tells me basically everything I needed to know about UU. It was the scary tweet from the Dept of State that was the final straw in the internal push I felt to connect with a community again. It's all so scary sometimes and we all need one another more than ever to help keep each other safer

As I said in some of my replies to others, your responses have definitely opened my eyes to some of the leftover emotional baggage I hadn’t yet confronted from the toxic religious environment I spent 30 years of my life in. Christian Nationalism taking over has been so triggering and sometimes it feels like that is a never-ending process to work through all of it. But, thanks to you all, I feel soooo much more encouraged and confident in confronting these things as they arise. I have real hope that I can be involved in a community of people... so for others who end up here looking for a safety net in these scarey times, here's what I've learned in the last 24 hours:

• Maybe when people seem welcoming it’s not because they have an agenda or unspoken expectations that I will need to figure out and eventually meet.
• Maybe sometimes it’s not a total fucking lie when people say “come as you are” and that when they tell me they’re glad I’m there they actually mean it.
• Maybe the concept of unconditional love and acceptance doesn’t have an asterisk next to it.
• Maybe I can act according to my own values and maintain mental, emotional, and spiritual autonomy without worrying that my thoughts, feelings, and actions don’t align with an externally imposed belief system that, if not followed, will lead maintain mental, emotional, and spiritual consequences.
• Maybe I can actually pick and choose what I enjoy and don’t enjoy about my church or congregation and let it inform what I choose to do or not do without feeling fear, guilt, or shame. I don’t have to force myself to love every aspect of it.
• Maybe questions can be welcomed and even encouraged and I can even *openly* discuss with others how I feel about things I may not like or agree with, also without feeling fear, guilt, or shame.
• I don’t have to feel like I’m not doing something right if I don’t leave every service feeling as if I had some profound connection with the divine through the music or the teaching.
• Maybe I can enjoy church and attend simply because of my desire to connect with others without being told “it’s about your relationship with God, not other people” and sweeping the bad behavior of “people” under the rug.
• Maybe I don’t have a “special language” I have to learn in order to communicate with others and be accepted or validated.
• MAYBE I CAN FEEL SAFE BEING MY AUTHENTIC SELF.

If you grew up UU, in a less mainline protestant denomination, or other non-high control religious environment, then these truths may seem obvious but I am telling you that there are tens of thousands of people like me recovering from the cult. The trauma is real and we are all struggling right now because of that is happening in the US. All of those feelings of powerlessness, feeling like I will never escape and I will never be safe. My son is POC on top of it and it's terrifying. It seems like some of those who had experiences like me have found their way here already - that you were able to trust again is so relieving. The cult survivors need community right now so badly.

The only evangelizing I do is preaching the freedom found in radical self-acceptance. I’ve done sooo much work to rebuild my sense of self after having to take a sledgehammer to the identity I had built in order to maintain my safety inside my religion. Because of that I am fiercely protective of my authentic self and my autonomy, sometimes to the point the hypervigilance. In the earlier stages of my recovery I really connected with a pagan framework of viewing spirituality and it has been so healing to reconnect to my spirituality that way - I’ve spent the last several years honoring the cycles of time and my deep love of nature through carefully selected and personally created rituals and practices. This has been great for my spirit but I’ve known that something has been missing - I can see that the next step in my healing is allowing my authentic self to be connected with others, to be a part of a community of people without fear of losing my identity again. I wanna add "evangelizing about the importance of community while maintaining a sense of Self" to my preaching activities ;)

You all have actually managed to make me feel EXCITED about church lol. I had to *make* myself go to the service on Sunday. It may take a bit for the hypervigilance to go away, but I definitely feel safer giving it a shot thanks to you all. I love that as the fall equinox approaches that I have a clear understanding of what I am letting go of and what I am letting in. I will light a gratitude candle in honor of what you have given me, with an invocation that the universe brings you love that fights for you and PROTECTS you from the threats to your emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical safety. <3

The fact is not lost on me that the UU is a logical target of the fascist regime in the USA and will likely be a target within the next 3 years or so. Have you given it any thought and considered what actions might be take, or how we should react in such an evantuality? I ask the question only to begin the discussion.

---------------------------------------------------------

A follow-up after so many responses. I have to say i am pleased and surprised that so manyshared their thoughts. One thing that did come to mind as many suggested that we are too small to get attention from the present regime is, it is a common tactic for authoritarian governments to go after relatively small groups and gin up anger toward them if they are in any way differrent from the norm. That is the UU. I am not trying to stir up fear, but we could learn, in short order, that we are noticed and targeted. My congregation has takens steps to increase our safety on many levels. And, if anything, our outreach to others to let them know about us as a safe place, in particular for marginalized groups, has increased significantly in the last year.

Hello all,

2 days ago I asked about some apprehensions I have about becoming a part of a UU congregation (I meant join much more informally than it was meant).

So now I would like to ask how did joining or becoming a part of the Universalist Unitarians benefit or mar you?

Please tell me if I am clogging the subreddit.