What really goes on at a Unitarian Universalist Sunday service?

Question

I may go to a Unitarian Universalist Church this Sunday to check it out. For some reason lately I have been getting more religious. I've always been interested in religion, but have become more spiritual over the last few years. I have been turned off by most mainstream denominations because they are so "either/or" and exclusionary. They are full of people who claim to know with certainty where salvation lies, and who is damned and who is not, and they are so full of people who in that certainty are ignorant of the context and the history of their own religions.

I recently discovered the UU Church. And it seems as if it involves a study of all forms of spiritual truth-seeking and even atheism and agnosticism, pagan sects, and other. So, I am wondering - if I go Sunday - will I hear a typical Christian sermon? Or will it be more eclectic?

Sabrina H - if that's what they do, they sound fun!

CJ - perhaps you misunderstand the words and the context of what Jesus was saying..... read it again, and think about it in more abstract and critical terms.

Answer 1

I'm on the board of trustees at our little UU church. We take turns doing "Mike Duty", which means we read a short welcome at the start of the service and pass the microphone to people making announcements at the end. There are 8 of us board members, so I have Mike Duty once every 2 months in the summer and once a month the rest of the year, when we have 2 services a Sunday.

About half the time I have "Mike Duty", just before I open the mike for announcements after the sermon, I tell people "Now, if you are a first-time visitor, I should tell you that wasn't a typical service". Last week we had a reader's theater on "The Radical Bible", which interspersed Biblical passages with quotes from people on the same topic.

Three weeks ago we had a man who really IS a rocket scientist - PhD in physics, works for a government lab - talk about how to judge expert testimony. He compared the current debate on global warming to the 1970's debate on cigarettes. If you are too young to remember those, the Tobacco companies had experts who said smoking cigarettes didn't cause health problems.

We sing hymns and have a sermon, but we don't praise the Lord or read the gospel as often as they do in Christian churches.

You should know that UU congregations back east tend to be more conservative than the ones out west, and that exactly half of all UU ministers (and guest speakers) are better speakers than the other half.

If you'd like specifics,
http://www.stanuu.org
has a list of sermon topics under "Sunday Services". I try to keep 8 there to give people an idea of what we talk about. We're about average, among UU churches, for the variety of topics we have.

The Minister's Sermons and Guest Sermons pages both have one-paragraph "sermon blurbs", which will show you more. Note that those are the "keepers" and will be above average. Any good UU web site will have at least a couple of upcoming sermon topics. Many have previous sermons.

Our FAQ page has a point-by-point list of our order of service. It is ordinary. No bongs, no peyote, no sacred mushrooms, no dancing naked by the light of the moon, no speaking in tongues, no rolling on the floor, no snake handling. Once every two years our minister blesses the animals, and kids bring their pets. No one has brought a snake yet, but we had a turtle a year ago.

Feel free to write if you have questions. I'm not ordained or anything, but I've been going for 30 years.

Answer 2

I started going to the UU this summer. Yes someone will acknowledge you, but just out of being friendly & make you feel comfortable. They wear name tags & visitors are asked to wear a yellow one so people will say hi to you. There is no pressure at all. UU are a very liberal bunch. & expect curious people to come & sit in the back. The service is an hour. A bell is rung to start, A challis is lit. there is a piano player & sing a few songs. They have a time call joys & sorrows where they pass a mike around & let people talk. The minister may talk about issues like death with dignity or the plight of the homeless vets or even why people are confused as to what the UU represents. The plate is passed. Also It's not always the minister, regular people giving the service. At the end you can hang around & have a donut or just leave. They are non-judgmental of your belief. I am pagan & the first man I talked to was an atheist. See you there!

Answer 3

I have only attended UU services on a couple of occasions, but I found that the sermons tended to be more practical and focus on real-world concerns.

The sermon I remember most distinctly was about the afterlife. It didn't dwell on whether or not we go to some other place after we die, but it did focus on how we need to prepare for our loved ones in the case that we die and they need the money and help to keep going. It focused on the importance of a will, living wills in case of a coma, choosing adoptive parents for children if you have them, etc. It's a bit of a dry topic in a way, but it was memorable and preached emotionally. It certainly wasn't anything like a "fire-and-brimstone" fundamentalist Christian sermon.

I found the services refreshing, and I don't think it would hurt anyone to try attending. There's tremendous diversity in the services. They also have excellent music.

Answer 4

If the church has a UU minister, you may hear a sermon based on the Bible, but lacking the condemnation to Hell of those who are not "saved", and lacking the recognition of Jesus as the Messiah.

If someone else is is speaking, it could be about almost anything. Genetic profiling, nudism, mythology, Zen Buddhism, Wiccan or pagan practices, etc.

No communion. In mine, no "Our Father" or "Holy, Holy, Holy." No creed to which all must subscribe. Join by signing your name in the membership book. Best bunch of people I've known.
***
edit: I am amazed at the two who found it necessary to lie and denigrate others in order to justify their own superstitions.

Answer 5

It deals with spirituality by working against social injustice. It is a common sense approach that respects all forms of worship. UU were active in emacipation during slavery in the United States are work in a practical hands on way to eliminate suffering and oppression. It is a thinking person's religion where one actually has to be an active participant.
The sermon will not be like the ones in the usual Christian churches but more eclectic and not a formal service with repetition and rites.

Answer 6

If I was the church going type that is probably the only church I could go to. I went once with a friend who thought that I would enjoy the bonding of people as brothers and helpers on Earth. I did.

The sermon I heard was about prejudice and how harmful it is to ourselves and our society. Good stuff. They had a few songs, a few announcements about ways to get involved with helping in the community, then coffee and pastries afterwards.

They are interesting people and not at all what one thinks of when thinking of religious types. Seems they accept everyone regardless of religious belief, sexuality, color, etc.

Answer 7

That will really depend on the church, but I'd be amazed if you heard a typical Christian sermon. The vast majority of UU's are not Christian.

It is generally a more eclectic sermon dealing with how people relate to one another and how we can become better humans.

We believe that all paths are valid and that all humans have dignity and worth.

Answer 8

While I'm sure that it depends on which congregation you visit, your chance of hearing a "typical" sermon is minimal. My own experience at the UU Meetinghouse (as they call it here) is one of acceptance and friendship.

Finding the right group is like finding the right chiropractor. The best fit is very personal. Keep looking until you find a supportive community.

Good luck in your exploration. You might also Google "humanism".

Answer 9

Depends on what the topic was. Our reading last week was on the blue collar american. For labor day. I'm not sure what this week is I'm helping in RE.
Honestly it always interesting and thought provoking. We had a great one medical ethics and making sure you family doesn't have the burden. Just go! You can always get up and leave if you don't like it.

Answer 10

UU is cool. Each minister has his own beliefs. So it depends on which one you go to. Most give you a chance to speak up if you need to. It's not shut up and listen like most religions.