Have you ever attended a Unitarian Universalist Church service?

Question

What were the services like? They weren't all a bunch of Earth worshiping vegans were they? Was God a central theme?

Answer 1

I have. I'm the web master for the UU congregation in Modesto, California. I've gone to at least 40 services a year for 20 years. No one rolls on the floor and speaks in tongues, but we don't paint ourselves blue and dance naked by the light of the moon, either. God is not usually the central theme in ours. We are in California; the further west you go, the more liberal UUs get. There are a couple of congregations in Boston that are almost Episcopalians.

My congregation has 165 members. Most rate "care for the earth" high on their list of concerns. We have more vegans and normal vegetarians per capita than many other churches, but they are a minority. We also have a fellow who flew Hellcats for the US Marine Corps during WWII, whose idea of "Gun Control" is hitting your target with the first burst. He is a conservative. He is also a conservationist.

You can see a sampling of our sermons on
http://www.stanuu.org/minister.html#sermons
and
http://www.stanuu.org/guestser.html

Our minister preaches 3 Sundays a week. The other 1 (or 2) we have guest speakers. The pages above have a one-paragraph blurb about the sermons and a link to the full text if you are interested.

If you are a firm believer in the Trinity, you would be welcome at a UU church anyway, but you'd be happier in a mainline church. Unity, the Friends (Quakers) and the UCC (Congregationalists) are almost as liberal as we are. The Lutherans, Methodists and Presbyterians almost always have bigger congregations than we do, with larger youth groups, larger singles groups and better facilities.

If you are curious, almost all congregations have a web site, and many post sermon topics in advance. Pick one that looks interesting and go. The roof won't cave in on you. We get 3 - 8 visitors a week, most of whom never return. Most churches, UU and other, do too. Lots of people "church-shop".

Answer 2

i just recently attended a service there. i found it interesting and strange at the same time. i can tell you that for the first time since i have been attending church, i did not feel like a hypocrite or a deceiver. i was accepted as is, regardless of my own faith or belief. they have no creed or dogma. they will not tell you what and how to believe. god was the theme, but without using the overly used word "god". i heard nothing of earth worshipping or vegans. i will go again because i was very intrigued by the first service i was at.

Answer 3

I am a member of a large UU church. The services are, on one hand, very similar to other churches, and on the other hand, very different. Similarities include physical set-up of the space - leader up front, congregation in the pews in front. The structure of a typical service is also similar to other churches: music, words of wisdom, more music, sermon, more music, collection, a few more words of wisdom including a send-off, and more music. We offer religious education for children and adults. We also have coffee and doughnuts after the services. Differences (vie la difference!) include few, if any direct speaking to a higher power. God and jesus are referred to in a descriptive or conversational sense, but never prayed to at my church. You are also like to hear words of wisdom from several religious traditions, including eastern religions. You will have people sitting around you who come from all religious and non-religious backgrounds. The UU church will never tell you that you must only believe what they tell you in order to participate. I know several people who are members of my church, who are also members of another faith and belong to both religious organizations. Lastly, the best difference, is that you will be surrounded by intelligent seekers. While we all have different spiritual paths, we can walk together at least for a while. I'm an Atheist and truly love my church. I think you will appreciate the experience also.

Answer 4

We went to a UU church for a couple of months. They are very accepting of everyone except Christians. The teaching was so politically correct that they had to resort to DR Seuss to appear to be intelligent, non threatening and clever.

Answer 5

Yes- a wedding.

Kind of like --two bearded, uncombed hippie "priests" who seemed to lack much knowledge- but they were trying.

No God mentioned- no Jesus mentioned.. Just these guys in a VERY EXPENSIVE Church building on Oak street, Vancouver, B.C. Canada..

Answer 6

At our local one they're atheists. UU Churches in New England tend to be more theistic; elsewhere they're mostly humanists.

Answer 7

I have never even HEARD of that type of church or the belief (Unitarian)....lol

Answer 8

Why would you call such a group a "church"? It's more of a freeforall, theologically speaking.

Answer 9

No I haven't. They are a "we commit to nothing" sort of belief....they aren't in the least bible believing,. They are extremely vague about the person of Jesus Christ, and will lead their followers to hell in a very politically correct fashion. I would have nothing to do with them.

Answer 10

Nope I sure haven't. I have drove by but never went in.