The Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica

Sundays at a Glance

What to Expect on Sunday Morning

As you arrive at church, enter through the front courtyard on 18th Street, and you’ll encounter the Greeters’ table, with information about our program and special events and greeters eager to meet you and answer your questions about the church.

Families are invited to sit together for the first part of the Sunday service. Children will be invited to join the minister or speaker on the chancel for a “Story for All Ages,” (adults, listen up—the story is for you, too!) and once the story is finished, children exit the sanctuary and head to their classes. RE classes last until 15 minutes after the hour; parents are invited to enjoy the first 15 minutes of coffee hour before picking up their children.

Intergenerational Worship

Our children and youth are important members of our faith community. They learn by doing and experiencing firsthand. Regardless of whether they understand everything that happens, we believe that they will absorb information little by little, as well as develop a sense of identity as Unitarian Universalists. It is for this reason, as well as to celebrate being one church community together, that children attend the first part of the service each week. There are also several Intergenerational services during the year which take the place of our regular RE classes. Some families find that their children enjoy staying for the whole service; that’s ok too!

Hints for Parents

· Choose a seat in the sanctuary that allows a good view for your child. If you think you may need to leave, sit in a location where you can move in and out easily.

· If your child’s activity becomes disruptive to those around you, or your child needs to get up and walk around, leave quietly until they are ready to return.

· Review the Order of Service and help children understand what will be happening. Feel free to whisper instructions or answer questions to help children learn “worship etiquette.”

· If you have a nursing infant or toddler, they are equally welcome in our service.

“We do not divide experiences into compartments and say, ‘These are religious; those are secular. These problems are in the realm of ethics; those have no ethical implications.’ Life becomes religious and ethical whenever we make it so:

• when some new light is seen;
• when some deeper appreciation is felt;
• when some larger outlook is gained;
• when some nobler purpose is formed;
• when some task is well done.
  

The function of the church for both young and old is not to give us on Sunday certain religious kinds of experiences different from the experiences of every day. The function of the church is rather to teach us how to put religious and ethical qualities into all kinds of experiences.”

--Sophia Lyon Fahs