Encounters & Dialogue Student Project

I have been interested in the Unitarian's Universalists way of life for several reasons and for some time. The requirement to go to a different denomination was a perfect opportunity to explore the Unitarian way of life. They believe in religious freedom and offer no absolute truths. They trust that one learns on their own. They believe in diversity, racial justice, and the care in our environment. All of these objectives are something that I appreciate.

I looked up Unitarian's on the Internet and found one that was closest to where I live. What I found was the Bull Run Unitarian Universalist in Manassas. It was somewhat difficult for me to walk into a place alone. In particular to a place I have never been before. I wasn't uncomfortable long. There was a person who welcomed me and introduced herself as a greeter. She asked me if I was a guest and gave me information on the church. I had a form to fill out and there was a place on the form to check off if I wanted someone to talk to in the church. She also had me fill out a nametag, which everyone is supposed to wear. I noticed that a lot of people did not have one on. I looked at them as though they were all ready members of the church.

It is difficult for me to call the building a church because of the fact that there aren't any signs of Jesus or a God. And I know that it is only because of what I have been taught. Starting in bible school I drew pictures of a church with a Jesus as the main reference. So I will have to relearn my thinking. They did have someone play music and they also had a choir.

Does Unitarian Universalist believe in God? They believe in letting everyone explore their own answers. They don't carry bibles and their hymnbooks don't have any reference to Jesus. What the books do have are references to the change of seasons, the environment, meditation, social justice and other references. But they don't preach about Jesus or God, but to a higher authority.

I went to the church twice. The first time I went it was geared to the children and the environment. The children sang songs about saving the environment by recycling and other means. They stayed through half the service and then the rest of the sermon was a blur. The Reverend Kathleen E. Allan said that the sermon was lost in the computer and the computer had crashed. So she focused on the importance of the environment and ways the congregation could help. She also told a story of this little girl named Sadie whose mother was sick. And consequently Sadie had to be put in a foster home. Apparently, she had been a member of the church because she told the congregation that she was going to visit her. She had a card passed around to give to Sadie that everyone could sign. Then she went on to guide the service. Instead of prayer she asked for Joy and Concern's. At this time the members of the church then informed the congregation of who was sick, what was going on in the church and some just gave thanks in certain areas. The whole hour of the service was very unpretentious. The talk is casual.

I went the following Sunday also. This service was much more organized. The first thing they do is make announcements. And I noticed a lot of people wearing jeans. Some are drinking coffee. A paper is going around for the auction that they are having. After the announcements new people are welcomed. I still feel to shy to introduce myself. Last week I couldn't do it because the announcement was just after the story on Sadie. Which made me cry. This time I don't know what my excuse was. Then the next thing they do is sing "Touch the Earth, Reach the Sky". The song didn't have any religious tones to it at all. They announced mediation, which everyone just sat quietly. Some had their heads bowed and others just looked towards the front. Then they proceeded to take up a collection. People who are new are not required to give to the collection. There must have been a lot of new people because I noticed a lot of people not putting any money in the plate. I felt very guilty not giving any money. Promising that the next time I will make up for it. How can a congregation keep going without money?

This time to my surprise they had a speaker. Marc Adam's wrote the book "The Preacher's Son". He tells the story on how it was growing up the son of a fundamentalist Baptist minister and telling his family he is gay. He told a very interesting and sad story of how people who are different are tolerated by some Christian societies. Marc Adam's is now a Unitarian. His parents and four sisters no longer consider him a part of the family. But that's ok because he is a part of the Unitarian family.

When the congregation moves to the Joy and Concern's section it can be anything. One man was joyful for the fact Jimmy Carter won the Nobel Peace Price. And on the other hand one man stood up and said we needed more of that in the White House today. How the Fall Jubilee went and about the sniper were also some of the things people of the congregation talked about. The concerns were for people who had medical problems. The sermon ends with the congregation singing "Wake Now my Senses" and the chimes are rung. The congregation proceeds downstairs where they have coffee and conversation.

All in all this was a very positive experience for me. I believe a lot in what they believe in and I have a feeling that this won't be my last time visiting. I will go back because I may have found my place.