The Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica

Visitor FAQ

Whether you're brand new to our our church or have been around a while but feel like there's still a lot more to discover, this is the place to start. Visitors are always welcome at our services, and we'd love to meet you in person any time you'd like to attend. To help ease the way, here are the answers to 20 frequently asked questions:

 1. Where are you located and how do I get there?

We are located at 1260 18th St. (at the corner of 18th & Arizona), in Santa Monica, California. A map, driving directions and information about which bus routes run closest to us can be found here.

 2. Do you have parking?

Street parking is limited, but people attending our Sunday services may park in the the UCLA Hospital parking structure at 16th & Arizona. The garage does require a parking pass, which you can print here. (Note: a map to the garage is included on the pass.)

 3. When are the services?

Sunday services are at 9 and 11 a.m. during the fall, winter and spring, and 10 a.m. during the summer ("fall" begins in September, "summer" begins in late June or early July - check our front page if you want to know when the schedule changes). Sermons are the same at both the 9 and 11 a.m. services, though some other elements of the service may differ.

 4. What should I wear?

In keeping with the fairly relaxed character of the overall Los Angeles area, we do not have a dress code, and our attendees have a wide range of personal styles. Some people prefer to wear business or "Sunday" clothes to our services, while others prefer more "come as you are" attire. Wear whatever you're comfortable in when meeting new people, and you'll fit in just fine.

 5. Do you have child care for visitors?

Visiting children are welcome in both our nursery and Religious Exploration classes, whether it's just a one-time attendance or several weeks of visitation. Visiting parents are also welcome to attend our RE classes with their children, for as long as it takes the child to feel comfortable in class without you. (We do ask that if your child attends three times or more, you fill out a registration form so the child will appear on the class roster and you will be included in any announcements or mailings pertaining to their class.) If you have a child who will be visiting the nursery or an RE class for the first time on Sunday, please contact the church office or stop in before the service to let us know he or she is coming.

 6. Is there someone I can talk to when I get there?

There are Greeters on duty outside our front door before each Sunday service, and in Forbes Hall after the services, who will be glad to chat, show you where to go and answer your questions. Also, look for volunteers wearing "Ask Me" buttons, who can answer more detailed questions during the coffee period after the services. Of course, the rest of us are quite friendly, too - so please feel free to introduce yourself to your neighbors in the pews, and to others before and after the service. We'd love to meet you!

 7. What if I'm not ready to join yet, but just want to visit for a while?

That's fine - take your time!

 8. How can I find out more about the church, to figure out if it's the right place for me?

Attending services and other events is the best way to get to know us, but other resources are available, too. Guests who sign in at the table in the front courtyard before the services will receive the online version of our monthly newsletter, weekly announcements and an invitation to the next Newcomer Orientation. There's also a lot more information on this website -- so please look around!

 9. If I do decide to join, what do I have to do?

If you decide you're interested in joining the church, our Greeters can provide you with a membership packet. A few days later, you'll receive a call from a member of our Stewardship Committee, who will provide information about the next Newcomer Orientation session (if you haven't already attended one), and tell you about the rights and responsibilities of church membership. Next, you'll fill out a membership card, pledge form and interest survey, and sign our membership book. Later, you'll meet with the minister, who will write a short biography to be published in our monthly newsletter. The Board will formalize your membership, send you a letter of welcome and a membership card, and order a nametag for you. The minister will introduce you to the congregation at a Sunday service, you'll be invited to one of our New Member Dinners, and program leaders will invite you to participate in activities and volunteer opportunities in which you've expressed interest. Finally, the Membership and Leadership committee will follow up to make sure you've connected with one or more groups within the congregation and are starting to feel at home. (For a few more details, see our Membership page.)

10. What do Unitarian Universalists believe?

According to the Unitarian Universalist Association:

Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion -- that is, a religion that keeps an open mind to the religious questions people have struggled with in all times and places. We believe that personal experience, conscience and reason should be the final authorities in religion, and that in the end religious authority lies not in a book or person or institution, but in ourselves. We are a "non-creedal" religion: we do not ask anyone to subscribe to a creed.

For more information, see our UU Principles and UU FAQ. Additional resources can be found on the UUA website.

11. What do you talk about in your services?

Our services are based on a wide variety of texts, traditions and experiences. For a good overview, see our list of past sermons (which includes links to the texts of sermons by our staff ministers).

12. Were most of your members raised in a Unitarian Universalist church (and would I still be welcome if I come from a different religious background or tradition)?

Some of our members were raised in Unitarian Universalist churches, but just as many have come to us from other faith traditions. We have many members who were raised Catholic, Protestant or Jewish, many who grew up (and may still remain) atheist or agnostic, and many whose spiritual journeys have led them to sample a wide range of religions throughout their lives. Unitarian Universalism draws messages from all of these, and more, and we welcome people from any and all theological backgrounds who are looking for a new, non-creedal spiritual home.

13. Can you recommend some good books or other readings about Unitarian Universalism?

Here are a few good titles:

"The Unitarian Universalist Pocket Guide (Fourth Edition)," edited by William Sinkford

"Being Liberal in an Illiberal Age: Why I am a Unitarian Universalist (Second Edition)," by George N. Marshall

"Everyday Spiritual Practice," edited by Scott Alexander

"The Jefferson Bible: The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth,"  Introduction by Forrest Church, afterword by Jaroslav Pelikan

"Soul Work: Anti-Racist Theologies in Dialogue," edited by Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley and Nancy Palmer Jones

"Faith Without Certainty: Liberal Theology in the 21st Century," by Paul Rasor

For more options, see the UUA Bookstore, our lending library or our mobile bookstore in Forbes Hall, after Sunday services (all books listed above are available from our bookstore).

14. Is there some sort of coffee or social hour after the service, where I can meet people and ask questions?

Yes! There is a coffee/social period after each service, in Forbes Hall at the back of the church. All members, friends and visitors are welcome - please come enjoy our hospitality, chat with our members and introduce yourself. You'll also find official greeters there, and several volunteers wearing "Ask Me" buttons, who can answer all your questions about our church.

15. What kinds of social activities do you have?

We have a wide range of social activities and groups, for people of all ages. Many ongoing groups are listed on our Activities and Special Interest Groups page...and you'll find other Special Events in our Calendar section. Also, many people find the best way to make friends and get to know people is to become involved in a Covenant Group, one-time Volunteer Opportunity or an ongoing church Committee. And, of course, there's always the Choir, if you're musically inclined (see #17, below).

16. What kinds of programs do you have for children?

We have a full program of Religious Exploration for kids from age 3 through high school, as well as nursery care for babies and children under age 3, and the Our Whole Lives (OWL) program for sexuality education. The RE program also sponsors social events and activities for children throughout the year, including a Halloween event, cookie bake, winter holiday pageant, Secret Pals program, and many others. See the RE News page and our Weekly Updates to find out what's coming up next.

17. Do you have a choir and does it welcome new members?

Yes...and, most emphatically, yes! See our Choir Information page and "The Top 10 Reasons for Not Joining the Choir...and Why That's No Excuse!" for all the details. We'd love to have you join us!

18. Who is welcome at your church?

Everyone is welcome. Our community strives to be inclusive of all people, whatever their religious background, race, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or ability. The spirit of our faith is for everyone. Together, we become a welcoming congregation.

19. I looked at the "Welcoming Congregation" page and now I'm confused - is this a gay church?

Our "Welcoming Congregation" status signifies that we have adopted a resolution to:

...affirm bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender persons, to be responsive to their concerns, and to celebrate and be inclusive of bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender persons as members of our church community and our community at large.

But this does not mean we are an exclusively "gay" church...just that we welcome everyone.

20. What if I have other questions you haven't answered here?

Please contact the church office - office@uusm.org or (310) 829-5436 -- we'll be happy to answer your questions!