Hi!  Are you new to Unitarian Universalism?
A first time visitor?

This page is set up to address what we have found to be the most frequently asked questions from visitors. If you don’t find your question answered, send me an e-mail or give me a call.  Kirsten

What is the religious background of your members?

The religious background of a majority of our membership stems from Methodist, Lutheran, Catholic, Presbyterian, and "none".

In 2003, we underwent a search for a new minister and part of the process called for us to take a survey to see how we defined ourselves.  We are a very diverse group of people! There were 13 defined options, and each one was checked by at least 8 people, plus 15 write-ins under “Other”€�. The top five answers were:

• 64% Eclectic (includes values from many different sources, including world religions)
• 54% Ethical Christianity (The function of religion is to encourage the development of ethical living.)
• 45% Naturalistic Theism (The powers we have traditionally attributed to a supernatural god are inherent in the natural world. The natural world elicits our respect and devotion.)
• 42% Humanism (Human nature is the basis of all religion and ethics.)
• 34% Earth-centered Spirituality (celebrates the sacred circle of life and  instructs us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature)

Quite a few of our members were raised in another faith, and have found they could not accept the beliefs they were expected to adopt.  Other members are not religious in the conventional sense; many do not believe in god. However, all of us are interested in
meaning, in morality, in the larger questions of life. Here, at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Wayne, we can talk about deep issues without fear of censure.

What do you mean by Welcoming Congregation?

A Welcoming Congregation means that we welcome and celebrate the presence and participation of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people. We celebrate and
affirm all people. Unitarian Universalism is a religion of inclusion, not exclusion.

So, everyone is welcome?

Yes. One of our central beliefs is respect for everyone. Whether brown,
red, black, white, gay, straight, Christian, atheist ... it doesn’t  matter. The only people who find it difficult to fit in are those who are certain that their way is the right way and demand that others follow suit.

What makes Unitarian Universalists different?

Our openness.  We don’t claim to have answers to life’s mysteries. Instead, a UU’s challenge is to discover life’s meaning for themselves. Although we each find our one meaning, none of us is alone in this task. We help each other in many ways, including sharing our discoveries and our questions. And we have fun at the same time!

Is childcare offered?

Yes. We have three wonderful childcare providers - all young ladies who have an affinity for children. Feel free to stay the first time or two with your child in the Nursery to let them get accustomed to us.  During our regular church year (mid-August through May) we have a religious education program for children and youth from the age of three through high school and these classes meet at 10 AM; children of all ages are encouraged to worship with their family during the service.

What time do you meet?

Services are at 11 AM every Sunday morning. Our church calendar year runs mid-August through Memorial Day (May).  During the church year, at 10 AM, we offer Youth  Religious Education for children and youth and for the adults, we have our Forum. Our Sunday Worship Service starts at 11 AM; children are  encouraged to attend the service with their family.

What should we wear?

Good question. 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.

If you find that your question is not answered on this page, please e-mail us uufortwayne@frontier.com or call us at 260-744-1867 during our normal business hours of 9 AM to 1 PM, Sunday through Thursday.

Webmistress note: Many thanks to the Paint Creek UU for their ideas on answering some of your Frequently Asked Questions.