
Yeah, Universalist Unitarianism has visceral appeal to me but I have to admit that I really don't get what it is -- the information I read implies that it's just "we accept anyone and everything," which is fine by me, but can someone describe what a Sunday "mass" or whatever is like at a Universalist Unitarian church? What's the doctrine? |
I was also raised Catholic but decided to leave the church for too many reasons to count.
My family ended up in a Lutheran Church that we love but not before visiting a number of churches of different denominations to see what we finally wanted to call our church home. It didn't hapen overnight- we had a lot of stops and starts and a few times I wanted to run screaming from the services. We found what was on paper to be the "perfect" Epis. church for us but we could never feel completely happy going there. The actual journey from stating to look for a church to finding our own took about seven months. Let your search be gradual- don't feel compelled to stay simply because it feels as if it's the church you "should" attend. Once you find the place and space that's right for you you'll be happy that you waited. |
I am a Unitarian Universalist (raised Lutheran). My husband is a devote Catholic. We have agreed to raise our child "culturally" Catholic, but my husband understands that the UU Church allows me the space and forum to explore and question, and we will let our child do the same. My husband starts our bedtime prayers with our daughter with, "To Whom it May Concern. . ." I have to fight back laugther every night. |
There is a rich, wonderful history of the Unitarian Univeralist Church. No, there is not a mass, and don't expect to hear the Lord's Prayer. But also know there is a doctrine, a sound belief system, and a commitment to social justice. And as is true of any faith community, places of worship vary. All Souls in NW DC is a great place if you want to learn more. (Sadly, I am not a member of the congregation anymore, simply due to geography.) |
I don't know. I took the test and I'm: 1. Reform Judaism (100%) 2. Sikhism (89%) 3. Unitarian Universalism (83%) which all seem like very different religions to me. Or maybe they are not and that's the point. But am I really 100% Reform Judaism? I don't think so. Nor do I think I'm a Sikh. Maybe UU, maybe not. I still don't know. Maybe I'm just my own thing. |
Oh, goody. I am the person raised Catholic who is now Presbyterian but misses the Catholic rituals.
The quiz says I am 100% Neo-Pagan. My mother will be thrilled! ![]() The good news is that it says I am 96% UU, which is probably the truth. I have been interested in the UUs since college but never did anything about it. Sounds like I should check out All Souls! |
Hey I'm also 100% Neo-Pagan. Does this mean we have to spend time naked in the woods? |
LOL! (from the lapsed Unitarian) |
I am new to UU myself. But they have a lunch or small meeting once a month or so to explain how it works. You should check it out.
My initial feeling is that the church looks and feels a lot like the catholic church where I grew up. There's a sanctuary, Sunday service with a pastor, singing. The hymns mentioned both mother god and father god. I didn't hear any mention of Jesus. No crucific with a tortured human on it. The literature I have from them mentions an acceptance of "earth based" religions. Tolerance, social justice. I went to one mass where the pastor talked about "what do YOU believe" and the bottom line of spirituality: Love. |
OP here, thanks again for all the helpful comments and recommendations! Took the online do-dad that a PP posted and was "scored" as 100% UU. Looks like I have some soul-searching to do. Ha, no pun intended! |
Lapsed Unitarian again. One thing about Unitarians that I've noticed is that the tone depends on the congregation. Guess that's true of any place but may be especially true of UUs given the general openness towards various beliefs.
All Souls, for example, is a wonderful place but I found it to be more Christian in orientation (dh loved the music and called it "High Church Unitarian" ![]() So of course if you check out the UUs, look at different congregations. I hear the Arlington UUs are very nice, too. |
You should go to a UU service to get a feel for it - but after Labor Day because UU's have a tendency to take off from church in the Summer (it's a historical tradition more or less from what I understand). I am a member at River Road UU - it's very open and welcoming - if you're looking for churchy congregation though RRUUC is not it - but you can get more info from www.rruuc.org. The Sunday services generally revolve around a theme - sometimes more pedagogical in nature - i.e. eschatology - and many times more personal in nature - i.e. "Avoiding the Recession in Your Soul" about the de-emphasis on worldly possessions and the re-emphasis on spending time with friends and family. There is usually a song by the very, very good choir in the beginning and throughout. There is a homily in the beginning for the children then the children are "sung to class" to go to UU Sunday school (which is really all about how to care for one another and the world around you - and learning about all the different religions etc.) Then there is a "Joys and Sorrows" where the congregation shares what has happened personally in people's lives. The sermon is next and tends to have a very personal feel. I really enjoy the service, and I find it very cleansing after a worldly week of responsibilities. Plus the children and teenagers that are at RRUUC are just wonderful examples of tolerant, kind, loving and smart human beings. And I want my children to grow up like that. |
For all you UUs out there, and not having any knowledge about this faith, do you find there is a sense of community at a UU church? I'm also reaching a point in my life where I'm thinking about trying to find a church at which I can build friendships and there is a sense of community among the congregation (or whatever you call it). I've found it difficult to make friends in the DC area, so I thought this would be (in addition to the other reasons for becoming more active at a church) another way to get to know people and forge some meaningful relationships. From the descriptions of UU, I kind of have the impression that it's a religious free-for-all so to speak, so I'm wondering about the sense of community if there really isn't a cohesive or singular doctrine. Any thoughts about that? Perhaps I'm naively clinging to the nostalgia of the church pot luck where everyone gets together outside of a formal service, but maybe that really isn't the model anymore for any faith... |
Absolutely - All UU's sponsor some sort of church weekend retreat each year - ours is around the beginning of September. Moreover, we have "Covenant Groups" - which are monthly gatherings to discuss issues of faith and spirituality - I am in one and have met some wonderful people through that group. There are also Action Committees that, should you be so inclined and publicly minded, you can join - these usually deal with a social justice issue of some sort or another. There are International Dinners on a monthly basis at a revolving series of restaurants to meet and get together with others. There is plenty to get involved with and do - the Church Bazaar in December is also a big community-building exercise. So, yes, you can still have that sense of community and cohesiveness. |
LOL! This sounds like the perfect faith for me! |