What are unitarian churches like?

[Anonymous]

I am curious about this. We don't attend church but I am thinking of trying out a unitarian church. Would love any general idea about how they work and specific info about locations near NW/Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

From the Religion forum, you can find out at an open house this afternoon:

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/406186.page

[Anonymous]

My son (away at college) goes to a UU church. It's not a "Christian" church, but it attracts a lot of people from traditional Christian denominations. I would guess that about 50% of the people in his church identify as Christians. They are big into people searching and finding their own paths. Typically the services include different speakers who lecture on spiritual topics and varies sacred texts. His church has a wonderful music program and an active youth group.

Their services are very similar to the ones in our church- we attend a Unity Church. The biggest difference is that while Unity is welcoming and open to all paths, it is based on the teachings of Jesus. We have many non-Christians in our church community, but they know they'll hear the Bible and Jesus regularly. Of course we also get a lot of Buddhist teachings mixed in as well. I would say that 80% of the people in our Unity church would call themselves Christians.

Both churches stress that there are many, many paths. Diversity and inclusivity are huge. People are inherently good. Spiritual seeking is important. Both stress that no one religion is "right" and that we can learn from all of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son (away at college) goes to a UU church. It's not a "Christian" church, but it attracts a lot of people from traditional Christian denominations. I would guess that about 50% of the people in his church identify as Christians. They are big into people searching and finding their own paths. Typically the services include different speakers who lecture on spiritual topics and varies sacred texts. His church has a wonderful music program and an active youth group.

Their services are very similar to the ones in our church- we attend a Unity Church. The biggest difference is that while Unity is welcoming and open to all paths, it is based on the teachings of Jesus. We have many non-Christians in our church community, but they know they'll hear the Bible and Jesus regularly. Of course we also get a lot of Buddhist teachings mixed in as well. I would say that 80% of the people in our Unity church would call themselves Christians.

Both churches stress that there are many, many paths. Diversity and inclusivity are huge. People are inherently good. Spiritual seeking is important. Both stress that no one religion is "right" and that we can learn from all of them.

What Unity churches are there near Bethesda/NW/Silver Spring?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son (away at college) goes to a UU church. It's not a "Christian" church, but it attracts a lot of people from traditional Christian denominations. I would guess that about 50% of the people in his church identify as Christians. They are big into people searching and finding their own paths. Typically the services include different speakers who lecture on spiritual topics and varies sacred texts. His church has a wonderful music program and an active youth group.

Their services are very similar to the ones in our church- we attend a Unity Church. The biggest difference is that while Unity is welcoming and open to all paths, it is based on the teachings of Jesus. We have many non-Christians in our church community, but they know they'll hear the Bible and Jesus regularly. Of course we also get a lot of Buddhist teachings mixed in as well. I would say that 80% of the people in our Unity church would call themselves Christians.

Both churches stress that there are many, many paths. Diversity and inclusivity are huge. People are inherently good. Spiritual seeking is important. Both stress that no one religion is "right" and that we can learn from all of them.

What Unity churches are there near Bethesda/NW/Silver Spring?

I don't live near Bethesda. But you can go to the Unity website and find a church near you.
http://www.unity.org

[Anonymous]

Is OP asking about a unity church or Unitarian church? I thought they were 2 different things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is OP asking about a unity church or Unitarian church? I thought they were 2 different things.

They are two different things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son (away at college) goes to a UU church. It's not a "Christian" church, but it attracts a lot of people from traditional Christian denominations. I would guess that about 50% of the people in his church identify as Christians. They are big into people searching and finding their own paths. Typically the services include different speakers who lecture on spiritual topics and varies sacred texts. His church has a wonderful music program and an active youth group.

Their services are very similar to the ones in our church- we attend a Unity Church. The biggest difference is that while Unity is welcoming and open to all paths, it is based on the teachings of Jesus. We have many non-Christians in our church community, but they know they'll hear the Bible and Jesus regularly. Of course we also get a lot of Buddhist teachings mixed in as well. I would say that 80% of the people in our Unity church would call themselves Christians.

Both churches stress that there are many, many paths. Diversity and inclusivity are huge. People are inherently good. Spiritual seeking is important. Both stress that no one religion is "right" and that we can learn from all of them.

What Unity churches are there near Bethesda/NW/Silver Spring?

I think you are far off the mark with that "guess". It is much less. We attend the UU Congregation in Oakton.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am curious about this. We don't attend church but I am thinking of trying out a unitarian church. Would love any general idea about how they work and specific info about locations near NW/Bethesda.

We attend the UU Congregation in Oakton. I would try use the fall to try out several of the local UU Congregations. Each of the Congregations have their own flavor and different things may appeal to you. One Sunday is not indicative of every Sunday so you will need to go to several. Most have a similar services in that there is music, readings and sermon/reflection, time to talk about the goings on and time for Joys and Sorrows. Each Congregation has its own topic for that Sunday, it isn't dictated from the denominational hierarchy. Religious Education is done slightly differently at every Congregation depending on the decision of the Congregation and the size of the RE program.

We have been going to our UU Congregation since 2001 and are fairly active. It has been a wonderful place for our children to grow. They are now in HS and have a good group of friends through the Congregation.

Good luck in your quest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am curious about this. We don't attend church but I am thinking of trying out a unitarian church. Would love any general idea about how they work and specific info about locations near NW/Bethesda.

We attend the UU Congregation in Oakton. I would try use the fall to try out several of the local UU Congregations. Each of the Congregations have their own flavor and different things may appeal to you. One Sunday is not indicative of every Sunday so you will need to go to several. Most have a similar services in that there is music, readings and sermon/reflection, time to talk about the goings on and time for Joys and Sorrows. Each Congregation has its own topic for that Sunday, it isn't dictated from the denominational hierarchy. Religious Education is done slightly differently at every Congregation depending on the decision of the Congregation and the size of the RE program.

We have been going to our UU Congregation since 2001 and are fairly active. It has been a wonderful place for our children to grow. They are now in HS and have a good group of friends through the Congregation.

Good luck in your quest.

Do you "Worship" at your UU church

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am curious about this. We don't attend church but I am thinking of trying out a unitarian church. Would love any general idea about how they work and specific info about locations near NW/Bethesda.

We attend the UU Congregation in Oakton. I would try use the fall to try out several of the local UU Congregations. Each of the Congregations have their own flavor and different things may appeal to you. One Sunday is not indicative of every Sunday so you will need to go to several. Most have a similar services in that there is music, readings and sermon/reflection, time to talk about the goings on and time for Joys and Sorrows. Each Congregation has its own topic for that Sunday, it isn't dictated from the denominational hierarchy. Religious Education is done slightly differently at every Congregation depending on the decision of the Congregation and the size of the RE program.

We have been going to our UU Congregation since 2001 and are fairly active. It has been a wonderful place for our children to grow. They are now in HS and have a good group of friends through the Congregation.

Good luck in your quest.

Do you "Worship" at your UU church

Yes, of course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am curious about this. We don't attend church but I am thinking of trying out a unitarian church. Would love any general idea about how they work and specific info about locations near NW/Bethesda.

We attend the UU Congregation in Oakton. I would try use the fall to try out several of the local UU Congregations. Each of the Congregations have their own flavor and different things may appeal to you. One Sunday is not indicative of every Sunday so you will need to go to several. Most have a similar services in that there is music, readings and sermon/reflection, time to talk about the goings on and time for Joys and Sorrows. Each Congregation has its own topic for that Sunday, it isn't dictated from the denominational hierarchy. Religious Education is done slightly differently at every Congregation depending on the decision of the Congregation and the size of the RE program.

We have been going to our UU Congregation since 2001 and are fairly active. It has been a wonderful place for our children to grow. They are now in HS and have a good group of friends through the Congregation.

Good luck in your quest.

Do you "Worship" at your UU church

Yes, of course.

what or who do you worship?

[Anonymous]

Bump on the worship question

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bump on the worship question

Depends on how you define worship - I define worshiping and intense focus in a spiritual mindset. I worship by focusing on the questions presented by the minister who is preaching. I worship by finding myself in a quiet, mindful space, and reflecting on what is currently on my mind.

[Anonymous]

All Souls UU on 16th St NW and Cedar Lane in Bethesda are probably the closest to you. Never been to Cedar Lane, but All Souls is great. Past sermons are online or you can just show up