Frequently Asked Questions
(and answers, too!)
We have assembled answers to the questions most frequently asked about our
church and about Unitarian Universalism. Please feel free to ask your own questions
of any members before or after church services or by calling the church office.
Do you folks believe in God?
Some of us do and some of us don't. We support each person's path to their
spirituality. God is viewed differently by many people. Some believe in a personal
God, others in a spirit who sets in motion the laws of the universe. God is
unknowable, a mystery. Many of us define God for ourselves.
Do you have a creed?
We do not hold a set of beliefs with which all members must agree. However,
we do have a set of "Purposes and Principles" stating the values and aspirations
that hold us together as a community. Statements of faith are for individuals
to make for themselves, and we encourage individuals (through our services and
educational programs) to develop a personal "credo."
What do you mean by "spiritual path"?
We are a community of people "walking together" (to use a phrase
from our Puritan forebears) for whom the values of community and the dignity
and worth of all persons are more meaningful than theological dogma.
If you don't believe in anything, why do you get together? Can you believe
in ANYTHING?
We get together because (1) we recognize a thirst for religious meaning, in
ourselves and in each other; (2) we have not found meaningfulness in the statements
of faith handed to us or urged on us by others without regard for our own ability
to perceive, think and experience; and (3) we find nourishment and encouragement
for our individual spiritual development/search by affirming and implementing
our shared values together. Each of us develops our faith in our own ways. Respecting
the individuality of religious belief is a core value of our tradition. We find
that we can experience a nurturing and lively religious community by encouraging
each other in our spiritual development and by affirming and implementing our
shared values together.
Are you Christian?
We are post-Christian. Our roots are in Christianity. But as we evolved as
a religious community, our democratic principles guided us toward an ever-widening
vision of inclusiveness. Today, we welcome people from all faiths.
Do you believe in Jesus?
We regard Jesus as a great teacher and prophet, whose impact on our culture
should be understood and respected. Many Christian values, such as "love thy
neighbor," are values that we cherish. But we do not believe in the divinity
of Jesus -- indeed, the decisive departure for Unitarians from Protestant Christianity
was over this difference -- and we do not believe in the Trinity.
As a Jew, I am thrown off by the word "church." What can I say
to my friends?
Our religious community emerged out of the liberal wing of Protestant Christianity.
The word "church" retains our history, but we extend our welcome to all, regardless
of their religious background. We sometimes debate whether we should continue
to use the word "church" ourselves!
I'm confused by the words "liberal religion" -- does this mean Republicans
aren't welcome?
No. The term "liberal religion" refers to those traditions that are
open to new insights, to learning, and to change. We belong to the tradition
of "free thinkers" who value the potential of human nature and the
validity of personal discovery. Used in this way, the word "liberal"
is a way of identifying our faith, not our politics. Members in our congregation
belong to various political parties. We share many values. Some of them are
progressive social values derived from our faith in the worth and dignity of
all persons. We respect the personal choices that people make in their political
affiliations.
Are you a non-denominational church?
No. Because of our inclusive values and the independence of the individual
congregation, people often don't know that we belong to a larger organization
-- the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations in North America
(UUA). This is not a denomination, but a member association. The UUA provides
a central office for the support of local congregations, and as a community
we do have a common identity and purpose.
What do you mean by "worship"?
To worship is to "give value" to something. In our faith, to worship is to
join together to celebrate our lives, our values and our hopes. It is a time
for learning, growing and making real our caring for each other. Although we
might not all agree that we worship "God" during this time, we approach our
worship with reverence.
What kind of texts do you use in the service?
We use a variety of texts for our service. To understand the full range of
our worship, you will need to visit more than once, because we use a different
text each week.
Why aren't there prayers in the service?
We usually set aside time for meditation to reflect in silence on brief spoken
words. We believe that prayer is individual. Many people pray during this time
-- others meditate.
What do UUs believe about abortion?
We believe in choice. It's a private decision. Our larger community has consistently
supported the right of a woman to choose: it is a personal and spiritual decision.
How does this church feel about bi-sexual, gay, lesbian, and trans-gender
people?
Our community is Welcoming
Congregation. We welcome all persons regardless of sexual orientation. Bisexual,
gay, lesbian, and trans-gender people and their families are important members
of this congregation. Commitment ceremonies have been performed by our denomination
for several decades. The larger UU community has consistently voted affirming
bisexual, gay, lesbian, and trans-gender rights.
What do you mean by "inclusive church" and "worth and dignity"?
We are an inclusive church because we welcome anyone who feels that they belong
here with us. Our Purposes and Principles state that we respect the worth and
dignity of all people and our goal is to belong to a community that models that
affirmation.
Is this a family church?
Yes! The religious education program is run like a co-op: all parents are expected
to make a contribution. We use UUA materials developed by religious educators.
Throughout the year, we have inter-generational worship services and activities.
The children's story each week is related to the sermon topic of the day. We
offer childcare at many of our programs and we have a complete children's religious
education program graded from pre-school through high school.
What is your Sunday School about? What goes on? To what are the children
exposed?
We offer lifespan religious education for children and adults. Our children's
program uses age-appropriate curricula to introduce children to basic ethical
values, world religious traditions, Unitarian Universalist history, and personal
spirituality. We also offer an intergenerational community to people who want
a supportive environment in which to raise their children.
Is this an interfaith community?
A Unitarian Universalist approach to religious identity honors the backgrounds
of all individuals. It affirms the decisions to belong to this community, where
difference is celebrated and people can share their Unitarian Universalism as
a family. In many families, parents have different faith backgrounds. Children
here learn about the major world religions, understand the meaning of the various
holidays, and celebrate them together in the religious education program and
in our worship services.
What do you tell children about God?
We try to introduce ideas at a developmentally appropriate age. A lot of children
do believe in God at an early age, and that's okay. If they don't, that's okay,
too.
What do you say to children about Jesus?
We teach that Jesus was a Jewish teacher and prophet whose life offers many
lessons to those who study it.
How do I meet people in your church? What activities do you have?
We have a wide variety of groups, committees and activities within our church.
See our Church Directory, as well as the Getting
Involved, Calendar & Events and
Religious Education sections of this website for
more information.
I still have questions -- where can I go for more information?
Please join us for our monthly Newcomer Orientation
luncheon, which outlines UU history and provides more specific information about
our church. Newcomer Orientation is held on the first Sunday of each month,
after the 11:00 service. (Please let us know in advance if you need child care.)
Also, please feel free to ask questions of any of our members before or after
church services, or by calling the church office at (310) 829-5436.
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