Isn't there a thread somewhere about Unitarian Unversalism?

[BTFSTL]

I've become one and wanted to share my experiences with the UU church.

In addition, my brother attends a somewhat similar church in St. Louis, one that is, however, affliated with the Ethical Culture movement (example: The New York Society for Ethical Culture or, in his case, the Ethical Society of St. Louis). Any threads or forums dealing specifically with Ethical Culture.

Just wondering, thanks bunches...

[whistle]

1. You can look here....

<link> http://www.religioustolerance.org/u-u1.htm

[chicagojoe]

2. Go to www.uua.org

[Journeyman]

3. Let's make this the UU thread. . .

the one from this morning was mainly about Quakerism.

Please share your experiences with UU. I've been interested in the idea of it for a number of years, and am considering a visit to one this Sunday. What can I expect to find? And what, if anything, might be expected of me?

[BTFSTL]

5. My own experiences have been pretty positive

I attend a UU church in Urbana, IL, about an hour from where I live in Charleston, IL. Lotta folks who are University of Illinois employees there, plus some others who are active in the community.

I like the idea I can go to a church like that, ask questions and not be torn a new one. I knew I needed to work on my spiritual side, especially after 9/11 (which, sadly, is also my birthday), but wanted to go to a place where I could grow without being told what I had to believe.

I attended an Ethical Culture church in St. Louis (somewhat similar - one person I know there jokes that Ethical Culturists are just "lapsed Unitarians" - and also felt comfortable there.

Anyone else wanna add to this?

[Pacifist Patriot]

8. The short answer is...

Who knows what to expect? LOL! All congregations are different and many congregations have such eclectic services that no two Sundays are ever alike. Many do have a routine they fall into, but even they deviate every once in awhile.

Not a thing will be expected of you. You can listen quietly and scoot out unobtrusively at the end or you can participate in the feedback session if they have one and join in at the social hour following the service. I'd be very surprised if no one invited you to do that. Most UUs I know will chat up a brick wall and will be delighted to have fresh meat to talk to. ;)

The UUA website at http://www.uua.org has a congregational look up feature. If the congregation near you has a good website you might bet able to get a feel for it before you get there.

I've been a UU for ten years, a regular member of two congregations and a visitor to at least six in four states. The diversity is so much fun. I've been made to feel welcome at every single congregation. If anyone here is from the Athens, GA church I want to send out yet another word of thanks for being so wonderful to my family when we were evacuated from the hurricanes this year. They treated us like one of their own.

http://www.unitarianminister.org

[RollergirlVT]

14. UU rocks

They have such a great program for the kids too. I just don't like the singing part (too church like) ;-).

[Starlight]

4. check the religion forum n/t

[elsiesummers]

6. I grew up Unitarian and met one of my best friends in Sun Sch. there but

I'm basically anti-church, anti-religion.

The only reason I went to Unitarian Church was that as a child I begged to go to church since my neighbors were all Baptist and I felt left out.

My mother didn't like getting up on Sundays so Unitarian Church was sort of a once a month thing. Sunday school was more play/babysitting - no lessons.

My father is against religion and churches and I guess I took that away more than anything.

I just don't understand the whole spirituality thing - I guess it's for other people.

I have attended many churches, mostly doing violin gigs in high school and college (many years ago), also attended Catholic and Fundamentalist (Rock) Church with close friends, many times.

Bottom line, as churches go, Unitarians seem the best to me, (open minded and interesting congregations) but I just don't understand the attraction of any church or religion.
I think you have to really be raised believing religion is a part of life in order for religion to seem meaningful or necessary.

[Pacifist Patriot]

7. Here's a recent thread about it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=111&topic_id=39447&mesg_id=39447&page=

I'd be happy to talk about UUism with anyone. Here's my site.

http://www.unitarianminister.org

[BTFSTL]

11. Thanks bunches!!

That's the thread I was trying to find!!

[doni_georgia]

9. I was a UU for 5 years

Each UU congregation is different. Some are comprised mostly of liberal Christians, some are really ecclectic. The one we went to had a UU Jewish fellowship, CUUPS group (UU Pagans), and an atheist/agnostic fellowship. I am a liberal Christian, and this particular congregation did not have a really active UU Christian fellowship. We liked the congregation, but it wasn't a perfect fit for us. After 7 years of searching, though, we have finally found a liberal Disciples of Christ church near our home, which seems to be a great fit for us.

Is DU really slow for all of you today, or is it just my computer? I'm having to wait for my words to show up after I type them - taking forever. Trying to decide if I should reboot.

[montieg]

10. Out here in west Texas

we need more than a thread--we need a Unitarian Church! It is over 70 miles from where I live to the nearest Unitarian church. So I have to make do with a 50-50 Lib-con split Presbyterian. Sometimes I really want to make that drive!

[BTFSTL]

12. I'd make that drive myself

It's about 60 miles each way for me to go the the UU church in Urbana, and I make it most every Sunday (barring weather or other factors). It's been something I haven't regretted at all.

[lawladyprof]

13. Been a UU for 30+ years

Joined my senior year in college. I liked (still like) having a service that is structured a lot like the church of my childhood (singing (usually fairly dreadful), reflection (= prayer), readings, "sermon"). All the formal religious elements are there, but the content nourishes my spiritual side. And the church is always a fit regardless of the ebbs and flows in my understanding of the eternal. Feeds my mind and heart and gives the comfort of a company of like-minded folk.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

15. My wife just joined UU after 65 years as a devout Catholic.

"Devout" in the sense of attending mass every Sunday and having been through the whole brainwashing system.

She loves the UU's and has finally found Christianity unvarnished by dogma.

I'm an ex-Catholic (Easter Catholic) who departed at about age 12 when the choice was between heaven later and "self abuse" now, as those wonderful priests dubbed it. All those "Hail Marys" and "Our Fathers" were wearing me out.

[giasangria]

16. uu

Hey I am a UU too! In Alabama. If you are unfortunately in a red state it is probably a great way to meet a few like minded individuals. I haven't posted here before but I have just started reading this board after the election. Now I am hooked. I have been listening to Mike Malloy for a long time now. Just saying hi to everyone!