debating whether or not to visit a new church..untarians.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

I was thinking of visiting the local unitarian chuch today...its really local, probably the closest church to me.

But i havnt been to chuch in years (former catholic), so am a bit nervous about this...

[Sentath]

1. I can't speak to your local UU Church

But I have recently become an irregular attender at my local UU Church and I'm very happy about it.

Welcoming, unintimidating, and thoroughly pleasent.

{rlg}

[Rowdyboy]

2. The Unitarians should put you at ease

Its more like a liberal discussion group thn a traditional church. You'll find yourself surrounded by people with solid liberal outlooks.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

3. i was wondering about the gay thin

Im pretty leery around straight folks, but I do understand the UU is supposed to be liberal.....

[Rowdyboy]

4. Even Mississippi Unitarians welcome gays so I would imagine

you'll be very warmly received in Ohio. Let us know later if you decide to go. I'd like your opinion.

[asjr]

5. My sister's family is Unitarian and are very happy

with it.

[rogerashton]

6. The main downside of Unitarians is

We are pretty dull.

The story that Unitarians can't sing is not true of our congregation -- but we sure can't sing gospel!

[DAGDA56]

7. I have a similar background, and did the same thing a few months bac,...

...no regrets. what prompted me was this little quiz
http://www.beliefnet.com/section/quiz/index.asp?sectionID=&surveyID=27
(I hope it works...I've never tried to include a link before) or just go to www.beliefnet.com I came out as a Unitarian...the locals hhere are not only "Gay friendly" but open their building to Wiccans.

[Exultant Democracy]

10. Cool tests

I came out 100% with Secular Humanism and 99% UU, not a big surprise.

[Nikia]

8. It won't hurt to visit

I think they are anti ritual so it isn't like the Catholic church where you feel a bit nervous/confused if you don't know what to do at the right time. Visit the service, talk to people, and decide whether or not you want to come back.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

9. I did decide to go....some brief remarks.

First off, they where very freindly. They had a greeter that gave me a collection of brochures, etc, on the faith & congregation. And I signed a guest register.

The building is brand new (which is how I found out about it..wanted to see this new chuch, which had a nice design to it)...and it was apparetnly designed to avoid a wetland. The sanctuary was very nice..very lite and airy, no stained glass...I noticed that unlike traditional chuches the lectern was actually off to the side, There was original art on the walls..one of the members told me thay have rotating art & photography exhibits..sometimes by members, sometimes not.

The service was nice. They had a pretty good choir, a pianist (a grand piano, not an organ), and a harpist. They did this ritual about lighting a chalice, did some announcements, introduced visitors (Including me), did a greeting (like the Catholics & Lutherans do..turn and greet your neigbhor) and had like a littel childrens service, and then we "sang the children out"..the kid marched out of the sanctuary to I guess their Sunday School class.

The theme was "Earth Day" ..and there was a reading by Wendell Berry (!.)(...thats a real selling point right there as Im a Berry fan), and then a pretty good sermon by the minister.

This is actually a pretty nice group, it seems. I am going ot go a few more times. I see from their bulletin that they do have something called "Interweave", which is a gay & lesbian group, so i will visit there too.

I can tell there is an activist bent here as one of the announcements was that 50 of the congregation was going to DC for that upcoming pro-choice march , and they do food collection for the needy and adopt poor famliys and such.

Sounds like a real decent group of folks. The age mix was good..young and old and middle age.