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What is "SMART"?
SMART is an adult religious education class, the Sunday
Morning Adult Round Table.
SMART begins at 9:30 AM and ends at 10:45. Sessions begin with a reading
chalice lighting, and personal check-in where participants share what is
happening in their lives. Each Sunday a topic is discussed. In our broad-based
understanding of "religious education," discussion topics may
include religious, ethical, spiritual, political, historical, or personal
themes. Come join us - visitors are always welcome! View
the various upcoming topics.
What is Chalice Night on
Wednesdays?
Chalice Night is when we clear the decks of committee meetings and structural
work, and turn First Unitarian Church over to relaxation, community building,
information sharing, challenge, and fun. It begins with a delicious gourmet
meal available for purchase ($4 or $2 small portion) from 5:30 to 6:15.
At 6:30, we gather in the sanctuary for a 20 minute lay-led centering
service. From 7:00 to 8:30, we go to a variety of programs and activities
for adults and children. Chalice Night is open to all, whether member
or friend, other Unitarian Universalist or liberal religionist, or interested
person from the community at large. We look forward to seeing everyone.
View the upcoming Chalice
Night meals, services and programs.
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What
happens after church?
After the Celebration of Life service we invite you to join us for fellowship
and refreshments. For more information about the church, we have a visitor's
table just inside of the social hall. A member of our Board of Trustees
will be waiting to answer your questions and collect the lavendar visitor's
card from you. Also in the social hall there are various kiosks with informational
bulletin boards containing literature and events pertaining to the various
affiliate groups and committees. You will find more literature about Unitarian
Universalism in our literature rack. Someone from our Shared Ministry
Committee will greet you and answer your questions on Sunday mornings.
How
do I find the church?
We are located on the corner of Fourth and York, across from the main
Library. Directions
to our church can be found here. Our address is 809 South 4th Street
if you care to use Mapquest or another web mapping site.
We enter on the Library Lane entrance, which is really
in the back of the Church. Handicapped parking is available there and
also a wheelchair ramp. Almost
every part of First Unitarian Church is accessible
to people in wheelchairs. We also have an elevator for those unable
to climb stairs to access the second floor where our religious education
classrooms are located.
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What
do adults wear?
You are welcome to wear whatever you are comfortable in. Members often
describe the dress code as "business casual," but some people
wear their "Sunday Best," and many wear jeans. In the summer
shorts and t-shirts are a common uniform, while in the winter, sweaters
and boots are likely outifts.
What do children wear?
Children should wear comfortable clothes. They may spend time playing
on the carpeted floor, or work with art supplies. Sometimes they may go
outside.
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May our child stay with us
during the service?
Yes, children who wish to stay with their parents during worship may do
so. Children are invited to attend our Religious
Education classes which are held during the worship hour.
What do children
do during the worship service?
We offer nursery care for infants and toddlers, and religious education
classes for preschoolers - high school. About once each month, children
and youth are invited to attend the Sunday service for a multigenerational
Celebration of Life.
Do I have to check in?
No, we do not require a check in. You will be greeted by someone wearing
a small sunflower attached to their name tag. If you would like, please
help yourself to the packet of information including the current newsletter
which is usually held together by a First Unitarian Church pen. This packet
provides several answers to initial questions. Feel free to ask the greeters
(wearing small sunflowers) any questions you have. We
want you to feel welcome. We may ask you to wear a name tag, but that
is your decision. A name tag often allows members to greet you during
the coffee hour if you are in the social hall for coffee after the service.
Also, during the Celebration of Life, a member of the Board of
Trustees will invite you to the Visitor's table which is located just
inside the social hall. While we would love for you to visit the table,
we respect that you may prefer to attend our service in private.
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What is religious education?
We believe religion is not something to be given to a young person, but
something to be nurtured and encouraged as a young person's life unfolds.
At First Unitarian Church, our religious education programs for all ages
are based on five themes: Unitarian Universalist Identity, Jewish and
Christian Heritage, Other World Religions, Social Justice and Action,
and Life Issues.
Is
First Unitarian Church accessible to people in wheelchairs?
Yes, almost every part of the church utilized for events or classes is
accessible to people in wheelchairs. We
also have an elevator for those unable to climb stairs to access the second
floor where our religious education classrooms are located.
Our restrooms are accessible as well.
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Do you have services for
the hearing impaired?
Hearing aids are available and may be used anywhere in the sanctuary.
Please ask a greeter to help you before the Celebration of Life service
begins.
Will I be welcome?
Yes. We welcome all no matter race, religion, creed, color, capability,
or whom you love. We will welcome you.
Will I be pressured to join
or to be saved?
No. We will welcome you at the door. We will send you our newsletter for
a while, if you complete a lavendar visitor's card and give it to the
Board of Trustees member at the visitor's table, or one of the greeters
wearing small sunflowers. We invite you to learn more about our faith
at the national website, www.uua.org.
Does your congregation have
diverse beliefs?
We have some mild differences of opinion. Some of us are agnostics or
atheists. Some of us believe in an earth-based spirituality. Some of us
are Buddhists. We all believe in the search for truth and a deeper meaning
in life. We invite you to learn more about our faith at the national website,
www.uua.org
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How can an agnostic (atheist, humanist...)
go to church?
By private automobile, bicycle, public transportation or on foot. Yes,
we even have a sense of humor!
We give people a place to explore and grow spiritually,
even if they grow in different directions. We provide religious education
for our children, so that they can make an informed choice when it comes
time for them to choose a religion. We are engaged in social causes that
allow us to embrace and celebrate our principles.
What
does your church look like?
Our historic church, constructed in 1871, is reminiscent of English country
churches built in the gothic tradition. After the 1985 fire which gutted
the building, we rebuilt it to maintain as much as possible of the original
church by keeping the outside stone walls, gables, and gothic arches.
However, we incorporated contemporary elements of light, openness, and
flexibility into the new design. We connected the main building to the
Victorian Italianate house next door, purchased in the 1970s, which resulted
in an interesting mix of old and new for our long-time downtown setting.
How do I become a member?
The short answer is, you become a member simply by signing the membership
book, in the presence of the minister or a board member. First Unitarian
is a free church; no assent to a creed or formula of faith is required.
The long answer is, we want you to join as a member only
when you are ready to make a commitment to this congregation, and to Unitarian
Universalism. Attend several services; learn about Unitarian Universalism
by participating in the UU Roots program; make an appointment to meet
with the Minister, the Shared Ministry Coordinator, and/or the Director
of Religious Education. We expect that our members will be active participants
in the life of the congregation, who contribute their presence, time,
skills, and money.
Why on earth would you want to do all that? You do it
because you know that here, you have found your religious home. You do
it because you want to be a part of this covenanted community. You do
it because you recognize that being a member of this congregation will
enrich your life, and the lives of children and future generations.
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First Unitarian Church is a proud member of the Heartland District of
the Unitarian Universalist Association.
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