by Marshall Hawkins
What are your church services like?
The services vary from church to church. Most last about an hour.
The centerpiece is usually a sermon delivered by the senior minister.
The sermons are usually thematic and rarely follow a lectionary.
Ministers often preach about universal themes of life, truth and
meaning. They use stories, myths and poems, as well as scripture
from a variety of world religions.
Services often begin with the lighting of the chalice-the symbol
of Unitarian Universalism. Brief words of reflection are usually
read as it is lit, inaugurating the start of the service.
We sing from our hymnal Singing the Living Tradition, which
contains a wide range of traditional and contemporary songs, using
gender-inclusive language. Many congregations have choirs.
Many congregations reserve a time in their services for lighting
"Candles of Joy and Concern." Members are invited to come
up from their pews and light a candle at the front of the church
to honor an event in their lives, to share an idea, or to ask for
the thoughts and prayers of the community.
After the service, most congregations sponsor "coffee hour"-a
chance for people to socialize informally and to discuss the worship
service.
Back to Top
What do you teach children?
Our children are taught to think for themselves, while receiving
guidance on moral and ethical behavior. They learn Bible stories
and talk about them, allowing their individual beliefs to unfold
without a dogmatic interpretation. We present them with thought-provoking
themes and allow them the space to develop points of view and convictions.
Our church schools often have chapel services, where children lead
and participate in their own services and find their spirituality.
Many churches include the children in part of the main worship service
before they go to another part of the church for church school.
Children learn about the beliefs and practices of the world's major
religions. They are encouraged to respect differences in theology-many
even spend a year visiting other churches, mosques and synagogues
in their area.
We have an award-winning, age-appropriate sexuality education program
for our youth as well as a Coming of Age process that most churches
use. Coming of Age is a program in which a church fosters the transition
of its youth into young adulthood.
Back to Top
What does it mean if a congregation calls itself
only Unitarian or only Universalist?
The American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church
of America consolidated in 1961. Many congregations kept their original
names after the consolidation, though fully consider themselves
to be Unitarian Universalist churches. For example, the First Unitarian
Church of Providence, RI, is a member of the Unitarian Universalist
Association, but retains its historical name.
Back to Top
I've heard that Unitarian Universalists can
believe anything they want to. Is that true?
No. One could not be considered a Unitarian Universalist and believe
that subscription to specific doctrines or creeds are necessary
for access to God or spirituality or membership in our congregations.
Unitarian Universalists could not believe that God favors any group
of people based on any inherent qualities, such as skin color, gender,
sexual orientation, physical ability, etc.-or that any group of
people is more worthy of access to opportunities than any other
as a result of these qualities.
We don't believe that autocratic, undemocratic or overly hierarchical
systems are appropriate methods of organizing our congregations
or the larger society.
We don't believe that humanity has the right or moral authority to
exploit the environment or other life forms with whom we share this
planet.
Back to Top
What does a person have to do to join a Unitarian
Universalist church?
Joining a Unitarian Universalist congregation generally entails
signing the membership book of a particular congregation. By signing
the book, people declare themselves part of that community. To become
a voting member of the community, most congregations require an
annual contribution to the church. Although some congregations are
more specific than others in suggesting what they would like their
members to give, few demand a particular amount as a condition of
membership.
Most congregations periodically offer "New UU" classes for
those considering or intending to join the church. These provide an
introduction to the congregation and to the principles and history
of our faith.
Back to Top
Do Unitarian Universalists say grace? If so,
what are some UU table graces?
That depends on which Unitarian Universalist you ask. Some do, some
don't. Our congregations don't require their members to say grace
before eating. As with all religious practices, the decision about
whether to adopt this ritual is left to the individual.
A small collection of UU table graces can be found in the Handbook
of Religious Services, available from the UUA Bookstore: http://www.uua.org/bookstore/
Here are two sample graces from that collection:
"May the love we share around this table with family and
friends
renew us in spirit.
May the spirit of hope, joy, peace, and love dwell within our
hearts
This day and forever more. Amen."
"A circle of friends is a blessed thing;
Sweet is the breaking of bread with friends;
For the honor of their presence at our board
We are deeply grateful."
Back to Top
How are Unitarian Universalist ministers trained?
Technically, our congregations are free to call whomever they wish
to be ministers of their communities. However, almost all our churches
select from a group of ministers that have been approved by the
Ministerial Fellowship Committee of the UUA. To obtain approval
from this committee, ministers must have earned a Masters of Divinity
degree from an accredited theological school, completed a year of
supervised internship, read materials from a required reading list,
completed a course of clinical training in pastoral care, and met
other requirements before interviewing in front of the committee
itself.
There are two specifically UU seminaries in the United States:
Meadville/Lombard Theological School in Chicago and Starr King School
for the Ministry in Berkeley, CA. Many of our ministers graduate
from other seminaries that are non-denominational. Both Harvard
Divinity School in Cambridge, MA, and Andover Newton Theological
School in Newton, MA, have sizable numbers of Unitarian Universalists
enrolled in their programs.
Back to Top
What is the significance of the flaming chalice,
the symbol of Unitarian Universalism?
The flaming chalice is made up of two archetypes—a drinking
vessel and fire. It is rich in symbolism as a result. The chalice
represents sharing, generosity, sustenance, and love, among other
interpretations. The flame symbolizes witness, sacrifice, testing,
courage, illumination and more.
The origin of the symbol comes from the Unitarian Service Committee.
The USC was founded during World War II to assist war refugees who
needed to escape Nazi persecution. Artist Hans Deutsch drew the
flaming chalice in 1941 so that the USC could have it as a symbol
for official documents.
The director of the USC, Charles Joy, wrote this about the symbol
when it was first drafted:
"It represents, as you see, a chalice with a flame, the
kind of chalice which the Greeks and Romans put on their alters.
The holy oil burning in it is a symbol or helpfulness and sacrifice.
. . . This was in the mind of the artist. The fact, however, that
it remotely suggests a cross was not in his mind, but to me this
also has its merit. We do not limit our work to Christians. Indeed,
at the moment, our work is nine-tenths for the Jews, yet we do
stem from the Christian tradition, and the cross does symbolize
Christianity and its central theme of sacrificial love."
Today, the flaming chalice is the official symbol of the UUA. It
also functions as the logo for hundreds of congregations. It is
also a part of worship in many congregations -- services often begin
by lighting a chalice while saying some brief reflective words.
There is no one official meaning of the flaming chalice. Like our
faith, it stands open to new and ongoing interpretation and significance.
Back to Top
Since Unitarian Universalists don't have a creed
or doctrine, how can one describe a set of beliefs that they hold
in common?
Our association of congregations has covenanted to affirm and promote
seven basic principles. They can be found here: http://www.uua.org/principles.html
One of our ministers, David O. Rankin, described our beliefs in
ten statements. They are:
1. We believe in the freedom of religious expression. All individuals
should be encouraged to develop their own personal theology, and
to present openly their religious opinions without fear of censure
or reprisal.
2. We believe in the toleration of religious ideas. All religions,
in every age and culture, possess not only an intrinsic merit,
but also a potential value for those who have learned the
art of listening.
3. We believe in the authority of reason and conscience. The
ultimate arbiter in religion is not a church, or a document, or
an official, but the personal choice and decision of the individual.
4. We believe in the never-ending search for Truth. If the mind
and heart are truly free and open, the revelations which appear
to the human spirit are infinitely numerous, eternally fruitful,
and wondrously exciting.
5. We believe in the unity of experience. There is no fundamental
conflict between faith and knowledge, religion and the world,
the sacred and the secular, since they all have their source in
the same reality.
6. We believe in the worth and dignity of each human being. All
people on earth have an equal claim to life, liberty and justice-and
no idea, ideal or philosophy is superior to a single human life.
7. We believe in the ethical application of religion. Good works
are the natural products of a good faith, the evidence of an inner
grace that finds completion in social and community involvement.
8. We believe in the motive force of love. The governing principle
in human relationships is the principle of love, which always
seeks the welfare of others and never seeks to hurt or destroy.
9. We believe in the necessity of the democratic process. Records
are open to scrutiny, elections are open to members, and ideas
are open to criticism-so that people might govern themselves.
10. We believe in the importance of a religious community. The
validation of experience requires the confirmation of peers, who
provide a critical platform along with a network of mutual support.
Back to Top