Has anyone been to a Unitarian Universalist service?

Question

I'm a Theravada Buddhist and am looking for an outlet to do charity and volunteer work and meet some open minded, kind people of all faiths. For those who have been to a Unitarian Universailist church, are they usually active in their communities, what are the services like?

Any information would be most appreciated, thanks!

Additional Details

I believe many don't label themselves as Christian.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

> Has anyone been to a Unitarian Universalist service?

I have; 30 - 40 times a year for 30 years. Many of them are laid out like a liberal protesant service; hyms, readings and a sermon. The sermon topics are more wide-ranging, though.

Our congregation has had non-typical services; a lesson in pagan dancing, and all-joke service, lectures by a philosopher on the ethics of genetic research, another by a rocket scientist and a third by a fellow who helped develop the GPS system. Every two or three years we have a "blessing of the animals", where children bring their pets and we meet on the lawn instead of inside.

"What do you do?" is so frequently asked that our congregation has a point-by-point order of service for the curious:
http://www.stanuu.org/oofs.html

No snake handling, no dancing naked by the light of the moon, no 90-minute lectures.


"What do they talk about?" is so frequently asked that our congregation's has a list of 8 sermon topics to give people an idea:
http://www.stanuu.org/services.html

It also has about 40 complete sermons, given by our minister
and by guests. Look for "Sermons" on the navigation bar if you are interested.


> are they usually active in their communities?
Yes, but not always as UUs. Ours, for instance, has members who are active in the local chapters of the ACLU, Sierra Club, NOW, the Memorial Society, an adult education program for seniors at the Community College, Amnesty International and the League of Women Voters. Other things too; those are the ones I know of, who talk about it.

As a congregation we send a team to Habitat for Humanity, and we feed 100 homeless people once a month.

The congregation near you may vary. Look at their web site. It will probably be better designed and prettier than ours, with less wry humor.

Answer 2

I don't know their specific modern practices, but aside from Quakers, they're by far my favorite kind of Christians.
---

That's true, which is part of why I love them (though they have historically-- John Adams, etc.)

Source(s):

atheist

Answer 3

it is kind of similar to a christian service, in time and format...they are usually very active in the community....I am not a UU, but have been many times....it is usually more casual and all people are very welcome! There are all sorts of believers at a UU service.

Answer 4

I have a friend who has been attending such, and my best advice is to find one in your area and attend. Their approach is non-theological, but aside from the lack of references to mythological entities, the service doesn't much differ from that found in an arbitrary Christian church.

Answer 5

Depends on the community, but for the most part yes. From about 2002 to 2004, I attended UU services and I would recommend them for people looking for a spiritual community and an organization committed to social justice.

The services weren't super formal but there was a structure to them. ..and they can vary depending on congregation. One of the things I enjoyed was the "flower communion" where people bring in flowers, and they put them in a huge container, and then they redistribute them to the congregation. I also enjoyed the music a lot. Also appreciated how they accepted the best of all religions and focused on tolerance towards others.

I stopped going to UUs mainly because I missed the liturgical style of worship I grew up with in the Catholic Church, but knew I didn't want to go back to Catholic, so I went to the Episcopal.

Source(s):

http://www.uua.org/

Answer 6

Love the UU church! I was a member of one for over ten years, was married there. A welcoming place, warm and accepting, and a wonderful place to put yourself to work -- plentiful opportunities to volunteer. The RE program taught kids about other paths and ours had a program called "The church across the street" in which one Sunday a month they went to a neighboring church to learn more about their ways.

We would still be going were it not for the fact that my spouse and I work Sundays.

.

Answer 7

I've actually been to one of their services, they pay lip service to all religions from what I've seen.

Went to find out if they were essentially the last step that people took towards total abandonment of religion, or a gathering place for those so whacked out they weren't welcome in their individual cults.

I'm still not quite sure on that point, lol.

Answer 8

Yes, I'm an atheist but wanted to do community service projects with like minded people and heard that they were a very open and tolerant community. It was a positive experience for me but I have heard there is a bit of variance in the different churches. The one I attended was very community service orientated. We did meals for homeless, clothing donation service, park beautification projects, environmental awareness programs and clean up projects, and other projects. There were liberal christians, Buddhists, Taoists, Pagans, and humanists in the congregation. The services drew on all world traditions and tend to focus on themes like the common message of kindness, love, and community that can be found in them. There is a strong focus also on providing a loving network and support system for children and teaching them to be tolerant and caring citizens of the world. The children were honored with a specially focused for them story or song in the beginning of the service and then they leave the regular sermon to attend religious education classes.
Oh, the one I went to also had separate weekly meetings for those were part of a defined belief and wanted to get together or for those wanting to learn more about a particular belief. For instance, I went to several Wednesday night get togethers for humanists and also attended a Thursday Pagan night a few times, one I remember participating in a welcome the light solstice ritual, and a Buddhist get together where I think they were working on a prayer shawl project making them to give to elderly members who were hospitalized or ill.

Answer 9

A Unitarian Universalist is a person who believes in 'one God, with one type of 'being' and not the Holy Trinity (Father God, Son Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit/Ghost) ... they are NOT Christians although they do celebrate many of the traditionally Christian holidays. I suggest that you go to a Catholic Church to meet the people who would have the same sort of 'charitable views' as you ... and you don't need to worry about being forced to become a Catholic ... we don't believe in 'evangelism' and in my state we have Buddhists, agnostics and even atheists who are 'full members' of our church ... the only thing they can't do is participate in the taking of the Eucharist (communion) ... and ALL are truly welcome. You may volunteer and be accepted with open arms and a warm heart ... and no one is EVER going to try to 'convert you' to become a 'full Catholic' ... that is a 'totally personal choice' that can be made only after you attend RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) and to do that YOU must attend on your own with NO ONE 'pushing you' ... they actually have 'discernements' to check and be sure before you are allowed to take part in ANY of the conversion rites.

Answer 10

If I were EVER to return to 'religion' it would, definitely, be to Universalist Unitarianism.
I have attended many services in both New York and Florida, and find them to be the most non-judgemental, all-inclusive, and most charitable groups I've ever experienced...and I have experienced them ALL. No 'hell fire' or 'worship Christ or else' nonsense.
Services are lightly structured, and open to accomodation as the congregation wills....joining in and adding new dimensions to the formal part of the service. One service I attended recently had three additional speakers...Organizers of outreach progams to 'gay men and women', the homeless, and senior citizens.
This particular congregation was welcoming it's first openly gay pastor.

The last 'christening' I attended, for an adopted nephew was beautiful...Every Member of the Congregation was asked to come forward and act as a committed god-parent to the child. And after the homily...merely a discourse on charity and inclusion...all the children were invited up to sit on the altar steps to listen to stories and add their own comments on the service. After the service, the homeless and elderly were fed in two kitchens, while the rest of the congregation were invited to share the 'christening' breakfast. There were people there from every possible ethnic or social or racial background. It was, indeed, one huge family following the message of Jesus to 'love one another as I have loved you'.

Answer 11

Every UU society is different, depending on its history, the area it's in, and its present membership. I've been to two that weren't all that friendly (NJ) and three that were very much so (NJ and MA).

There should be some sort of activism associated. The one I joined was small and all of the members were so active that it was actually more like a space away from that. :-) Anything you wanted to get involved in though, you could find someone already linked in. The larger ones had dedicated committees and were much more organized about it.

UU services tend to have an opening song, the lighting of the chalice, some readings, something for the kids, a formal-ish talk, discussion, some music and meditation time, closing song. And then social hour with coffee and such.

If there's a Quaker meeting in your area, try to visit them as well. Quaker services are quiet meditation where people may rise to speak as they feel moved. What's really cool is that at the end, everyone just sorts of knows it and turns to greet their neighbours. The secret is one person is paying attention to the vibe and initiates the greetings, but it 'feels' spontaneous. :-)

Namaste.
from a would be Madhyamaka philosopher