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Newcomer's Information
Love is the doctrine of this congregation,
The quest for truth is its sacrament
And service is its prayer.
To dwell together in peace
To seek knowledge in freedom
To serve humanity in fellowship
Thus do we covenant with one another.
(our Unison Affirmation)
Are you new to Unitarian Universalism? Click here for a U-Tube video about our faith.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU COME ON
SUNDAY MORNING
Our community has grown over the last six years from 76 members to 146 members with 65 children and youth. We love to have newcomers come join us for Sunday Services, any Sunday at 10:30. You will find us to be friendly, but not forceful. We don’t pressure people, but we are pleased to share with you the joy we have found in having a caring religious community where you don’t have to check your logic and brainpower at the door on your way in. Our faith encourages your thinking and feeling for yourself, as well as listening to your intuition. We respect your ability to decide what you believe about life, love, the universe and the mystery of life. Sunday Service topics vary between spiritually inspiring sermons, services regarding religious responses to the happenings in our world, calls for justice, and wisdom from prophetic women and men throughout the ages. Scriptures used include modern day poetry and essays, as well as readings from all the world’s faith traditions. Our minister speaks twice a month, and on other Sundays we have guest preachers, speakers and lay members of our congregation.
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
If you have children, we encourage you to come a little early so that we can orient you to our children’s program and routines. On each Sunday except the first Sunday of the month, children begin with their parents in the Sunday Service. During the “Story for All Ages” children are invited to move up front to be close to the story teller, and parents are welcome to come with them. After the story, we sing our children out with our “Go Now in Peace” song. Children move through our arched arms and join their age appropriate groups downstairs. Newcomer children are welcome to participate in the classes, and parents can go with them if that is helpful to the children’s adjustment. Later, after the service, we all end up downstairs, where the children are. On the first Sunday of the month, our children begin downstairs and have their own “Kids Church” time of music, story and ideas. Infants are welcome to stay with their parents, though we do have infant and toddler care close to the Sunday Services room.
DIRECTIONS AND ACCESSIBILITY (LINK)
PARKING AND GETTING SETTLED
Our Sunday Services are held on the middle floor of the Masonic Temple, accessed from the front of the building up a flight of stairs. An elevator on the outside of the building is also available. Parking is available in the large parking lot to the south of the Temple building, as well as on the street. Casual attire is most common. You can expect to be greeted at the front door, and to be shown where our services are held. There you will receive a name tag, a newcomer’s packet of information, and a yellow card. If you fill out the yellow card with your contact information, we will begin sending you weekly eNews with the next Sunday Service topic, and other brief announcements. We will also send you our quarterly newsletter, and invitations to other “getting to know us” events.
ORDER OF SERVICE
Our services begin with Prelude Music, followed by lighting our chalice. Other elements of the service before the sermon include our Unison Affirmation, music, a story for all ages, singing the children out to their classes, a sharing of personal joys and sorrows, a prayer or meditation and readings. We then hear the sermon, listen to music while the greeters receive from us our financial gifts to the Congregation, and sing a hymn. We conclude by extinguishing the chalice and forming a large circle around the room for our five-fold “Amen” song. Our services last from 10:30 to 11:45. After the service we put the chairs away and go downstairs to enjoy coffee, tea and snacks along with casual conversations. We encourage you to stay for this time, and ask anyone any questions you wish.