OK ... you've taken the plunge and you're going to check us out. What should you expect?

Well, the first thing to do is remember to come at the right time. From the beginning of June through the second Sunday in August, service time starts at 10 AM. For the rest of the year, all other services (unless otherwise duly noted) start at 11 AM. When we are on the 11 AM Service schedule, we'll generally have an Adult Religious Education (RE) class which starts at 10 AM. Also, on the first Sunday of the months, September through May, we hold an "Intro to UU" class at 10 AM.

So, you drive to our building and the first thing you notice is its unique shape and all its doors! Which door should you use? I always tell visitors to park in the parking lot with the circle drive and use the walkway that connects the two buildings. That is our main entrance. The door, if you come during the week for an appointment, is generally locked and there's a doorbell on the right side of the door. You'll be able to hear if you pushed it hard enough.

We have overflow parking in the parking lot of Congregation Achduth Vesholom, right next door to us. If you park there, we have two nice pathways that you can use to walk through. Again, you'll come to the main entrance.

When you come to the Sunday morning service, you'll use the main entrance but the doors will be open and you'll be greeted there by either members from our Welcome Committee or members of the church who have volunteered to greet that particular morning. They will answer your questions regarding the service or Adult Religious Education. They will also lead you through getting a temporary name tag, show you where: the bathrooms are; you can hang your coat; the Sanctuary is; the Youth RE wing (if you have children), and turn you loose to wander around a bit, looking at the artwork in our Gallery, or seeing the Social Hall, where the Hospitality Coffee hour takes place. If you have children, they will introduce you to one of our RE Committee members so they can talk with you about the Youth Religious Education program, show you the Nursery, introduce you to who's tending the Nursery, and show you the classrooms.

We ring the bells five minutes before the service starts; when you hear them, head on over toward the Sanctuary for the beginning of the service. Our Ushers, standing outside the doors, will give you an Order of Service so as to follow along. We generally allow everyone to seat themselves.

The service itself follows this general outline:

Announcements by members of the congregation
Welcome from the Minister
Ringing of the Bell
Prelude
Collect (Morning reading to set the tone of the service)
Hymn
Lighting the Chalice
Recital of Our Covenant
Candles of Joys & Sorrows
Musical Interlude
Offering
Greetings (visitors are asked to stand and introduce themselves)*
Song of Aspiration
Prayer & Meditation (usually both spoken and quiet)
Musical Anthem
Sermon
Hymn
Blessing
Sung Farewell

* Don't worry - this is NOT a requirement!

It may seem like a long service, but we are really good at wrapping things up within the hour. And we have special services during the year; a Joining Sunday once a month; the choir singing twice per month; recognition of teachers and youth; All Music Sundays - lots of variety. Don't come to just one, thinking you've seen it all.

Once you're comfortable with us and see we thrive on the individual talents and beliefs of our members, bring your children, as we have a wonderful, flourishing RE program for the children and youth. Their RE classes take place at 10 AM during our Adult RE class. There are follow-up activities for the youth during the Service at 11 if they don't want to attend with you and are having such a great time with their new friends.

After the service, you (and your children) are invited to join us during our Hospitality Hour (really, it's not an hour; it's for however long you feel comfortable staying) that takes place in our Social Hall. We have coffee, refreshments, and some things upon which to nosh. You're not required to attend - but this is a wonderful time to meet some of us, have conversation about the service, or just talk with others about their personal experience of the UU.

As we say on our Frequently Asked Questions page about What to Wear, we are casual here and our members and friends will run the entire gamut from jeans to Sunday best. Wear what you are most comfortable in and then you will be at your best.

You'll find our congregation warm, friendly, and welcoming. During the Summer services, we usually pull in 35-45 people. Once we get back into full church mode, though, you can find upwards of 85 people on a regular basis. Our big events, Ingathering/Water Communion, Christmas Eve, All Music Sunday, and Flower Communion really bring out the crowds. We also have guest speakers interspersed throughout the year, with special music programs by outside artists and a yearly speaker from The Jesus Seminar on the Road institute.

Our minister is the Rev'd Dr. Jay E. Abernathy, Jr., and he's been with us almost four years now. Here's a link to Jay's picture and a little background about him.

I hope you've found this information helpful - if you have any questions, feel free to call (744-1867) or email! Kirsten

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