|
1. Will I fit in?
2. What do Unitarian Universalists believe?
3. What is a Sunday Service like?
4. Should I bring my children?
5. What should we wear?
6. How are "Summer Services" different from
regular Sunday Services?
7. Why do you call yourselves a Society?
8. What is a "Welcoming Congregation?"
9. What is the history of this congregation?
10. Unitarian Universalist humor
Will I fit in?
We offer a place for all people regardless of where they may be on
life's journey. What binds us as a congregation is mutual respect,
acceptance of one another, and encouragement to spiritual growth. We
hope that you will join us for a couple of events in person to get a
true taste.
People have said some interesting things after attending a few events ~
- “The best part about living in this area
is UUSIS” – a lifelong resident of Fairfield County
in his 30s.
- “We took a family vote and it was
unanimous. We won’t be sleeping in and making pancakes on
Sunday mornings anymore” – a family of four with
two small children.
- “The new members looked so happy. I had
to learn more about this congregation and I’m glad that I
did” – A woman in her late 20s.
If
you want to find out if our faith fits with your beliefs, you might
want to try the Belief-O-Matic - http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html. We have had lots
of fun taking the quiz.
top
What do
Unitarian Universalists believe?
Neither our congregation nor the larger Unitarian
Universalist Association (UUA) has a religious creed. In general,
Unitarian Universalists believe that every individual should be
encouraged to develop a personal philosophy of life.
We believe that:
top
What
is a Sunday Service like?
Our services are different from week to week, but
generally follow a regular format with traditional elements. Here is a
sample of what you might find....
Our minister, The Rev. Ron Sala, leads the service
on most Sundays; the rest are either led by a guest speaker or
members of the congregation.
Sunday Services begin at 10 a.m. and are generally
over by 11:15, depending on the content.
When you enter on the Prospect Street side, Alfa or
Jim (our greeters) will provide you with a nametag if you’d
like -- most of our members wear nametags and we want you to feel
included. To get our newsletter for three months, you can sign your name in our
guest book. Also, you will notice that we don’t have pews; we
took them out a long time ago to allow for more flexible seating
options – circles, etc.
Refreshments are served immediately after the
service in the social room behind the sanctuary. We hope that you will
stay for coffee and conversation, but of course it's not mandatory. The
refreshments can include homemade goodies, seasonal treats or ethnic
fare. Some visitors have commented how we “minister to our
guests with food.”
top
Should I bring
my children?
Yes!!! Children are more than welcome at our services. Please
inform Alfa or Jim when you enter the sanctuary if you would like
childcare or if you have any questions about our Religious Education
program.
Children usually begin the service
in the sanctuary with their parents before leaving for their classes. Parents
may accompany their children to the classrooms and return to the
sanctuary once the children have settled in, or the children can go to
class with their teachers.
If you prefer, you may keep your children with you throughout the
entire service. For preschool children, childcare is available during
the service.
There are also several intergenerational services each year where
children participate in the planning and presentation of the entire service.
top
What
should we wear to a UU service?
There is no dress code at a UU service. Attire
ranges from "Sunday best" to blue jeans, with most people falling
somewhere in between.
Keep in mind that children’s activities
sometimes include crafts or planting, so they should dress accordingly.
top
How
are "Summer Services" different from regular Sunday Services?
From late June through Labor Day weekend, we offer
a wide variety of less formal services. These are predominantly led by
lay people and may include group discussions.
Please inquire about child care during the summer.
top
Why
do you call yourselves a “Society”?
We come from a variety of religious backgrounds
– Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Pagan and even the Afro-Brazilian
faith of Candomblé. The term “society”
best reflects that diversity. However, some of us use
“church” because it is such a familiar term.
top
What
is a "Welcoming Congregation?"
In June of 2002, The Unitarian Universalist Society in Stamford voted
to become a Welcoming Congregation after going through sensitivity
training. Official recognition allows us to become safe space for
bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender persons. We take a stand
against oppression in our larger communities through a variety of
activities. We would be happy to tell you more in person about our
current projects.
The Welcoming Congregation Program is a completely
volunteer program for congregations that see a need to become more
inclusive towards bisexual, gay, lesbian, and/or transgender people.
top
What
is the history of the Unitarian Universalist Society In Stamford?
A brief
recap: Universalism first came to Stamford in the early 1830s, and
the Long Ridge Universalist Church was built in 1834.
Then on April 3, 1841, the Second Universalist Society of Stamford was founded on Long Ridge Road.
When the Second Universalist Society outgrew this space, our current building was dedicated on December 29, 1870.
The
beautiful stained-glass windows depicting St. Peter & St. Paul go
much farther back - they date to the 16th or 17th century, and used to
reside at 97 Orchard Street, on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
To learn more about the Peter & Paul windows: Captured in Glass (courtesy the Lower East Side Tenement Museum).
top
Unitarian
Universalist humor
You might be a UU if …
- The money you sent to the Sierra Club is more
than you spent on your mother at Christmas;
- The Holy Trinity is “reduce, reuse,
recycle”;
- You prefer the ten suggestions to the Ten
Commandments;
- The only time “Jesus” is
mentioned is when somebody falls down the stairs;
- You think a Holy Day of Obligation is your turn
to provide snacks at an event;
- You have trouble singing hymns because you are
reading ahead to see if you agree with the words;
- You pray, occasionally, “Dear God, if
there is a God, if you can, save my soul, if I have a soul. And so, to
whom it may concern, these thoughts, prayers, good vibes, karma, cosmic
forces, or whatever, we offer to you, if there is a you. Or
not.”
top
|
