Any Unitarian Universalists out there

[Goblinmonger]

We are looking at a fellowship in our area. My wife and I were raised Roman Catholic, but we have significant issues with the church (not to mention my agnoticism/atheism). My 9-year-old son really thrives on order and is very "spiritual." We don't want him to get the Catholic view. My wife and I both like what we have seen in two visits.

Any thoughts/input would be appreciated.

[Boomer]

1. What area would that be?

The UUA offers a locator to find a congration near you:

http://www.uua.org/CONG/index.php

I'm a lapse Unitarian because there's no congration near me, and I'm too much a slug to get out of the house every Sunday morning. But it's a wonderful organization and offers whatever mix of spiritual and intellectual values that you find comfortable.

Of course, anyone who wants an accepted dogma handed to them will find this an unsatisfactory approach. UUA is more for self-motivated, self-directing individuals who are comfortable filling in the blanks for themselves.

[Goblinmonger]

4. Oskhosh Wisconsin

Not the hub of liberal ideas, but there is a fellowship in Appleton (about 20 miles away) that we have attended twice. My family seems to like the fill in the blanks approach. Plus my daughter appreciated that the middle school group she was in was telling Bush jokes.

[Last Lemming]

2. I was raised a Unitarian

and I remember as a kid, my little brother leaning over to my Dad and saying ". . .can we go to another church? . .I want to go to a church where they talk more about God."

[DerekG]

8. That's a funny story

Although I share the politics of the Unitarians, I've always found their thin theology a bit off-putting. What can I say: "Give me some of that ole time religion."

[Az]

9. Paths

Some people want to find their own path. Some people want to be shown a path. Some people want to share the path they find with others searching for their own path. Fortunately its a big world and a free country (for now).

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

3. I just attended my first UU services on Sunday.

I, too, am a recovering Roman Catholic, and I have to tell you, I've never felt more at home in a church. It was fantastic. And quite frankly, I think it's the best thing for children. They will learn spiritual philosophies from around the world. Last week, my UU congregation got a sermon on Hinduism (i learned that through their website), this week it was from an ancient greek philosopher and TS Elliot. There is time for silent meditation. And, most importantly, your children will learn tolerance for other people. I can't wait to go back and would highly recommend it.

[Goblinmonger]

5. I felt very at home, too

When the minister opened up the mike for comments after his sermon on order in the universe, my wife and I had the same reaction, "Oh, great, a bunch of morons talking." But it was so not the case. Everyone was intelligent, respectful, and offered unique insights. So not the Catholic church.

On my first visit, the minister read a Langston Hughes poem. I'm a high school English teacher, and I teach American Literature. He had me at the poem.

We should keep in touch about our journeys into UU.

[Az]

6. UU spoken here

Keep in mind different UU congregations will have different flavors. Hopefully there will be enough in your area to pick and choose the one that suits you best.

Try looking here for more info www.uua.org

[LiberalEsto]

7. I became a UU 20 years ago

after being raised as an ethnic Lutheran (meaning our church services were all in Estonian). It was dull, and no attempt whatever was made to reach out to young people. It was a church that only looked backwards at the good and bad old days in the old country.

I attended Catholic masses for a few years in high school and college, but finally got turned off by the sexist, anti-woman attitude.

My husband, an ex-Catholic, and I got married in a Unitarian church. A few years later, when we had a 3 year old and an infant, we started going to Unitarian services because we thought our kids would get an excellent, tolerant religious education there. They did.

Over the years, we've belonged to 4 congregations in two states: one OK, one very cliquish and unwelcoming, one very, very good, and the present one, fantastic.

Through our present church, I've gotten over my fear of public speaking to the point of leading Sunday services from time to time. After a lifetime of thinking I was one of the world's worst singers, I joined our little choir and now people compliment my singing. I serve on the Sunday services committee which plans services with our minister. I attend meetings of the Spirituality Group which explores various aspects of spirituality and worship. My husband teaches religious education and loves it. It's like an ever-growing family.

Good luck in whatever spiritual course you decide to pursue.

[Lilyhoney]

10. My husband and I were married in one.

We felt very comfortable making our vows in the UU church. Especially since I grew up catholic and my husband athiest.

We talk about going to service but we never do. But I think it would be good for us.

Check it out. Maybe we will too.