Can anyone tell me about the Unitarian Universalists?

[rockedthevoteinMA]

I have done some reading on it, but I was wondering if anyone had any personal experience with it, that they would like to share. It sounds like a wonderful community.

I work in Massachusetts, in a hotel, and last summer I saw brochures on our table of "things to do" for the GLBT marriage cermonies, and how they were welcome in the church. (which I thought was wonderful).

I wanted to go and attend in the next few weeks. (I am a bit hesitant because I had a very bad experience with a RW church. :scared: ) I know from what I have read, that the UU is nothing like that. Thanks everyone! :hi:

On Edit: I'm not looking so much for an organized "religion", I found the way they incorporate many beliefs into their faith intriguing.

[SCDem]

1. I just recently joined the UU

I had previously during undergrad days in college feequented a UU church but it was not for church reasons it was because all the activist trainings and or meetings were held there. The pastor would also attend the meetings and tell me to think about coming. Anyway I was in college and really didn't think it important or anything but what he did say intrigued me.

Fast forward to this year. I have a 1 year old and thought I would be horrible to deny any spiritual growth or knowledge to him. Remembered how the UU church was so open to the activists coming and using their building for meetings. I looked on the web in my current area found 2 UUs semi-close by and went to a service with my son. Absolutely wonderful! The prior pastor was actually a formal evangelical preacher. His daughter came out as a lesbian he had deep sould searching and eventually became a UU pastor. He had a great sense of humor and had learned from lifes lessons. Our current pastor is great, raised as a baptist but you wouldn't know from his sermons. We concentrate on the interconnectedness of everyone and everything. Look at the commonalities of all the religions. Even talk about politics in church. First church that I went to that songs range from the hymnal books to Joni Mitchell to the Beatles.

They have days of action.... where you go out into the community to help out (womens shelter, food bank, activists for people living with AIDS). The commons saying is that UU focuses more on deeds not creeds. I love that saying and see it so much in the political arena. With Republicans talking up the creeds of the US and it's freedoms but showing little with deeds to back it up.

Anyway ask away if you want to know more. I love it. Now the other UU in my area I did go to. Great also but every UU I guess is different in character....they had little tiffs going on that I could see in the first service so I chose not to return to that one. So they are not all perfect.

[intheflow]

2. I'm in the process of becoming a UU minister.

When I was in my searching phase about 20 years ago, I also had some scary run-ins with RW churches. I knew the first time I heard a UU sermon I had found my spiritual home.

You're lucky to live in Massachusetts where there may be quite a few churches in your area to check out. I grew up in Massachusetts so was able to try on a bunch of UU churches. They can all be very different. Urban churches are more likely to be more socially active and have young adult programs. Small town churches are more likely to be family kind of churches. But you'll find anomalies like the church I'll likely end up in--tiny, small town church in the middle of nowhere with an activist minister. (Maybe I'll find a congregation! LOL!)

You're right to value the UU incorporation of many beliefs under one religious umbrella. The UUA web site has a list of what they call our Principles and Purposes, but really it's our principles and the sources we draw religious and ethical inspiration from. Both the principles and the sources guide UU thought and belief.

So, welcome! Please come and play with us! :hi:

[rockedthevoteinMA]

3. Thank you both, for your responses! My mother and I might go check

out our local UU tomorrow morning. We've both read up on it, and found it interesting.

Thanks for all your information. Good luck with becoming a minister! :hi:

[Maat]

4. I go to a UU church,

and I can tell you that they are welcoming; their philosoply is very affirming of inclusiveness.

They always let congregants know about the local activities that focus within the community on social and economic justice.

Come over and try the DU SOUPs group too (Seekers on Unique Paths)(read my signature line).

I love this DU group too!

Peace and Blessings,

[RevCheesehead]

5. Hi, Maat!

Nice to see you. Are you doing well? :hi:

[Maat]

6. Yep, Rev. Hope that you are doing well!

I also hope that you are hanging in there!

It must be difficult to fight for social justice against relentless Religious Extremists of the hardright variety.

I am so glad that I am not a person who holds that much hostility in my heart.

Carry on the good fight (please)!

Hope you have tomorrow's talk prepared (are you giving a talk)?

Peace and Blessings,

[RevCheesehead]

7. LOL.

Religious extremists come in many forms, including the hard left and non-religious as well.

Sometimes it's hard to remember the "love and forgiveness" part. (Why did Jesus have to go and say THAT???)

Tomorrow is Pentecost, so the focus is on the Holy Spirit. I don't prepare sermons - not in the traditional sense. I know what I'll be talking about, but let the Spirit lead and guide me as I go. If I'm feeling up to it, I might do some singing during the sermon. :)

Blessings to you, too, my friend.

[Maat]

8. Wow. That's impressive!

Yep - you are right about extremists.

[lukasahero]

9. I'm in Mass as well and am thinking of joining one

What city are you in? I have a friend who attends one in Arlington that she says is fantastic and another in Andover I believe that she says is good (but Arlington is more her cup of tea). You might be surprised to hear she describes herself as agnostic but I think if you go to the church, probably not so much. :-)

From what I can tell, UU is nothing like the RW church you went to. Both churches as my friend described them are really welcoming and very socially active. I think the Arlington church was the one in all the pictures last year for the gay weddings, but I could be wrong.

[rockedthevoteinMA]

10. I'm on Cape Ann. The UU's around here seem to be pretty

big. I love the principles of the UU - social activism is my cup of tea. I loved that they welcome same sex couples, and marry them.

I wouldn't call myself an agnostic, but for a while I had a huge issue with anything having to do with God, because of the experience at the rightwing church. Two years later, I have gotten over it. The church I went to had "saved" a friend of mine from her drug and alcohol addiction, so I thought I would attend to see what it was all about. (It's all that she could talk about). Then I realized that was part of their gig - recruiting people. The preacher got up and told a story about how his uncle had been arrested for drug trafficking- which happened because (shock!!) he was gay. I felt my head spinning off. I think I left in time, because I didn't hear them start spouting the wonders of our wonderful king dumbya.

Sorry to dump on everyone. Thank you all for your responses! :hi:

[Maat]

11. Thanks for sharing your experience.

One of my friends went to Calvary for awhile; she felt God's comforting her. They told her that God did not communicate with people individually. It was a fundamentalist, Conservative (hardright) Christian experience that nearly ruined her.

Fortunately, I have her going to UU now with me.

I think that Religious Hardright churches all about power and money, in the end.