Help us find a Unitarian Universalist congregation.

[Anonymous]

We live in close-in northern Prince Georges county, so Paint Branch UU is closest to us. We have a 6 month old son and are older first time parents. I was raised Methodist but am really a Buddhist, studied in the Tibetan tradition but not practicing with any group anymore. My husband was raised fundamentalist Christian (sort of Free-Will Baptist) and is now an atheist/agnostic humanist, liberal politically, world citizen type.

Where might we fit in? Because we were both raised in a church, I see the benefit of it. I want our son to have spiritual roots and be educated in at least the Judeo-Christian tradition with a strong open mind and heart. My husband and I have discussed that we would send him to vacation Bible school, for example, so that he can be exposed and educated, but I am worried DH won't be open to joining a regular spiritual community unless it offers him intellectual and community engagement.

Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated.

[Anonymous]

All Souls would be perfect for you.

[Anonymous]

Annapolis Unitarian would also be quite welcoming. I think they feel more "church-y" and might match up with your backgrounds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We live in close-in northern Prince Georges county, so Paint Branch UU is closest to us. We have a 6 month old son and are older first time parents. I was raised Methodist but am really a Buddhist, studied in the Tibetan tradition but not practicing with any group anymore. My husband was raised fundamentalist Christian (sort of Free-Will Baptist) and is now an atheist/agnostic humanist, liberal politically, world citizen type.

Where might we fit in? Because we were both raised in a church, I see the benefit of it. I want our son to have spiritual roots and be educated in at least the Judeo-Christian tradition with a strong open mind and heart. My husband and I have discussed that we would send him to vacation Bible school, for example, so that he can be exposed and educated, but I am worried DH won't be open to joining a regular spiritual community unless it offers him intellectual and community engagement.

Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated.

I don't know about specific UU churches, but any UU church should fit your basic needs. I think you'd find a lot of couples like yourselves in the UU. As for vacation bible school -- UU's have something like that too, but I'd beware of a Christian bible school -- many don't just expose, they indoctrinate. There's a way to learn about christianity without learning that you must believe it.

[Anonymous]

What's wrong with Paint Branch? I know several families who are very happy attending Paint Branch. It's a very welcoming church and group. Although I don't go there, I attended parties at various friends houses and met quite a number of their friends from PBUU and it seems like a very strong and supportive community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Annapolis Unitarian would also be quite welcoming. I think they feel more "church-y" and might match up with your backgrounds.

I have some friends who go to Annapolis Unitarian and love it. For logistics reasons, I'd try the closest UU church first - it sounds like UU in general would be a great fit for your family.

[Anonymous]

UUCSS (Silver Spring) is also close to Northern PG County. Lots of families and a very vibrant RE program.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My husband and I have discussed that we would send him to vacation Bible school, for example, so that he can be exposed and educated

I agree with a PP that depending on the approach, Vacation Bible School may be too indoctrinating. There are lots of children's Bibles and other books that would let you expose your child to Bible stories which you maintain control over the overall narrative.

[Anonymous]

I am UU and we went to all of the UU churches around us to see which was a good fit: Paint Branch, Annapolis, Silver Spring, Cedar Lane, and Columbia. We ended up at Columbia. It isn't a huge congregation, but large enough, there are a good number of kids in my DD's RE class, there is a mix of young/older families, and we really like the minister.

I'd decide on how far you are willing to drive and then try them out. There were some where we didn't like the minster, or there weren't many kids, or whatever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am UU and we went to all of the UU churches around us to see which was a good fit: Paint Branch, Annapolis, Silver Spring, Cedar Lane, and Columbia. We ended up at Columbia. It isn't a huge congregation, but large enough, there are a good number of kids in my DD's RE class, there is a mix of young/older families, and we really like the minister.

I'd decide on how far you are willing to drive and then try them out. There were some where we didn't like the minster, or there weren't many kids, or whatever.

What are the things that you like about the one in Columbia compared to the other UU churches? I live in Howard County and I'm looking for a church.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am UU and we went to all of the UU churches around us to see which was a good fit: Paint Branch, Annapolis, Silver Spring, Cedar Lane, and Columbia. We ended up at Columbia. It isn't a huge congregation, but large enough, there are a good number of kids in my DD's RE class, there is a mix of young/older families, and we really like the minister.

I'd decide on how far you are willing to drive and then try them out. There were some where we didn't like the minster, or there weren't many kids, or whatever.

What are the things that you like about the one in Columbia compared to the other UU churches? I live in Howard County and I'm looking for a church.

We really like the minister at Columbia. We liked the minister at Cedar Lane, but decided it was too far from home. Paint Branch felt small, there didn't seem to be many kids at Silver Spring, and the Annapolis congregation skewed older.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What's wrong with Paint Branch? I know several families who are very happy attending Paint Branch. It's a very welcoming church and group. Although I don't go there, I attended parties at various friends houses and met quite a number of their friends from PBUU and it seems like a very strong and supportive community.

My best friend growing up attended there, and her family still does (and we're still best friends, though she's moved out of state). As a kid/young adult, I attended many events there, including their version of VBS, and felt very welcome. Obviously it's been a few years, but I still have some friends who attend there and are happy. Those friends are mixed race/ethnicity, mostly in their 30s and 40s, some with young kids and some without.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am UU and we went to all of the UU churches around us to see which was a good fit: Paint Branch, Annapolis, Silver Spring, Cedar Lane, and Columbia. We ended up at Columbia. It isn't a huge congregation, but large enough, there are a good number of kids in my DD's RE class, there is a mix of young/older families, and we really like the minister.

I'd decide on how far you are willing to drive and then try them out. There were some where we didn't like the minster, or there weren't many kids, or whatever.

What are the things that you like about the one in Columbia compared to the other UU churches? I live in Howard County and I'm looking for a church.

We really like the minister at Columbia. We liked the minister at Cedar Lane, but decided it was too far from home. Paint Branch felt small, there didn't seem to be many kids at Silver Spring, and the Annapolis congregation skewed older.

Wow. No kids at Silver Spring? It's got a huge RE program. Maybe you went during the summer? UUs are notorious for taking the summer off of church.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am UU and we went to all of the UU churches around us to see which was a good fit: Paint Branch, Annapolis, Silver Spring, Cedar Lane, and Columbia. We ended up at Columbia. It isn't a huge congregation, but large enough, there are a good number of kids in my DD's RE class, there is a mix of young/older families, and we really like the minister.

I'd decide on how far you are willing to drive and then try them out. There were some where we didn't like the minster, or there weren't many kids, or whatever.

What are the things that you like about the one in Columbia compared to the other UU churches? I live in Howard County and I'm looking for a church.

We really like the minister at Columbia. We liked the minister at Cedar Lane, but decided it was too far from home. Paint Branch felt small, there didn't seem to be many kids at Silver Spring, and the Annapolis congregation skewed older.

Wow. No kids at Silver Spring? It's got a huge RE program. Maybe you went during the summer? UUs are notorious for taking the summer off of church.

It wasn't in the summer, but late spring. Maybe we hit a few odd weeks. This was several years ago and our very young kids were the only kids in their class both weeks. Glad to hear it has expanded!