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The Unitarian Universalist Pocket Guide
"The Unitarian Universalist Pocket Guide" is one of the most complete introductions to Unitarian Universalism available, covering ministry, worship, religious education, social justice, and history. The 2012 edition is the most complete revision in over a decade. Contributors include Kay Montgomery, John Crestwell, Gail Geisenhainer, Rosemary Bray McNatt, Jane Ranney Rzepka, Mark Belletini, Judith Frediani, Rebecca Parker, and Dan McKanan.
120 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 1, 2015
This was a good and interesting short guide to Unitarian Universalism I think.
I don't know because I only got it because I went to a service after reading an article in the NY Times about the seven principles of UU.
So it is called a religion which is to attract Christians, Jews, Hindus, Moslems , Athiests and any others including pagans. Gays, all racess, all orientations.
So it is interesting. They are open to all but there are not infrequent references to God. It seems to be an open basis with respect for all individuals as the core. All get salvation, they say, except maybe for the Athiests there.
I was told that the Church I went to visit has more God mentions than some other UU churches. It has also a American flavor for those following the Ralph Waldo Emerson Transcendentalist movement.
I learned enough to make this short book well worth a read
I don't know because I only got it because I went to a service after reading an article in the NY Times about the seven principles of UU.
So it is called a religion which is to attract Christians, Jews, Hindus, Moslems , Athiests and any others including pagans. Gays, all racess, all orientations.
So it is interesting. They are open to all but there are not infrequent references to God. It seems to be an open basis with respect for all individuals as the core. All get salvation, they say, except maybe for the Athiests there.
I was told that the Church I went to visit has more God mentions than some other UU churches. It has also a American flavor for those following the Ralph Waldo Emerson Transcendentalist movement.
I learned enough to make this short book well worth a read
Read
April 28, 2017A neat and concise pocket guide to the UU church. I left with a greater understanding the "positive" aspects of UU theology (i.e. it's not just a hangout space for atheists who want their children to go to church) and exposure to some of their rituals and traditions. It was also nice to read a brief history of how unitarian and universalist traditions diverged from their judeo-christian roots (rather rapidly) and morphed from two Christian denominations to the unique entity it is today. I could have done less with the repeated self-satisfied white liberal back-patting about being somehow the historical 'man behind the curtain' for every social justice cause in the last 200 years. "Sit down, be humble"
May 14, 2017
Very informative
Gives the low down on Unitarian Universalism. Answered most of the questions I had. It is a great book for those trying to see if Unitarian Universalism is a right fit for them.
Gives the low down on Unitarian Universalism. Answered most of the questions I had. It is a great book for those trying to see if Unitarian Universalism is a right fit for them.
February 14, 2017
Great foundational info for those who are new to Unitarian Universalism.
August 3, 2018
Now that's some churchin' I can get behind.
December 21, 2018
As someone exploring new ideas and beliefs I found this book very interesting, especially since my grandfather was Unitarian and I'm seeking to learn more about my roots. Overall the author(s) do a very good job of clearing up common misconceptions and breaking down the philosophy of Unitarian Universalism in a practical way. On the downside, there were a few points in the book where I felt like they were trying too hard to advertise by saying how great everything was in their congregations, from the highly trained theological ministers to the comprehensive sex ed program for teens. Don't get me wrong, I do think those things are very important, but somehow I felt like the writers were trying to maximize it. Like, seriously, it's ok to admit your organization is flawed and imperfect. I think emphasizing this might have made the presentation a bit more authentic. But other than that, the book is short, to the point and affordable , and overall I enjoyed it .
March 15, 2018
Going forward
This little volume helps see the forward movement of the UU church and helps one move forward in one's owm thinking. If it is a truism that emotions are preceeded by thought so is faith and so is love of one's fellow humans. History, inspiration and resource combine for an excellent step forward in faith and thought even if one has on intention of becoming an official UU.
This little volume helps see the forward movement of the UU church and helps one move forward in one's owm thinking. If it is a truism that emotions are preceeded by thought so is faith and so is love of one's fellow humans. History, inspiration and resource combine for an excellent step forward in faith and thought even if one has on intention of becoming an official UU.
July 22, 2018
Wonderful introduction to Unitarian Universalism
Through my life I’ve seen religion as a dividing force. That’s why I was intrigued to learn about Unitarian Universalism and how they manage to unite believers and nonbelievers with their shared values and focus on equality and justice. In today’s divided world, we could all learn from the Unitarian principles and their values . I highly recommend this book!
Through my life I’ve seen religion as a dividing force. That’s why I was intrigued to learn about Unitarian Universalism and how they manage to unite believers and nonbelievers with their shared values and focus on equality and justice. In today’s divided world, we could all learn from the Unitarian principles and their values . I highly recommend this book!
August 16, 2016
3rd time around reading this. Still a very useful primer for UU.
September 19, 2015
Wonderful read for those interested in Unitarian Universalism and opens a door to a great liberal religion
January 31, 2016
Very interesting
Represents a different perspective than is typically offered or known, very intriguing and an easy quick read to go through
Represents a different perspective than is typically offered or known, very intriguing and an easy quick read to go through
January 15, 2018
A really concise guide to an interesting kind of church
March 2, 2018
Good short introduction to the beliefs, history and practice of Unitarian Universalism in the United States.
July 7, 2018
A good intro to some key points in UU faith
I found this to be a VERY introductory level book on UU faith and practice. It has made me curious for more.
I found this to be a VERY introductory level book on UU faith and practice. It has made me curious for more.
October 19, 2024
This little book aims to give readers a quick intro to Unitarian Universalism (UU), covering the basics like worship, ministry, and religious education. It's meant to be a handy reference for both newcomers and long-time UUs alike. The book does an okay job of laying out the fundamentals. Morales breaks down the core principles of UU, touching on its history, beliefs, and practices. He's got a straightforward writing style that's easy to follow, which is a plus for a guide like this. There's a section where he explains the Seven Principles of UU that's particularly clear and concise.
But here's the thing: while it's informative, it's not exactly a page-turner. The structure is pretty basic, with chapters dedicated to different aspects of UU life. It gets the job done, but it's not winning any awards for creativity in organisation. One of the book's strengths is its attempt to address the diversity within UU. Morales tries to show how UU embraces people from various backgrounds and beliefs. There's a nice bit about how UU congregations welcome people of different faiths, which gives you a sense of the inclusive nature of the religion.
However, and this is a big however, the book often feels like it's just skimming the surface. For a "complete introduction" it left me wanting more depth on several topics. Take the section on UU history, for example. It's there, but it's pretty bare bones. You'd think a pocket guide would at least give you enough info to hold your own in a conversation about UU's roots. Compared to other introductory religious texts I've read, this one's just... meh. It's not bad, but it's not great either. It lacks the engaging anecdotes or thought-provoking questions that could really bring the subject to life.
On the accuracy front, Morales seems to know his stuff. He's a UU minister himself, so you'd hope he'd get the facts straight. But again, the lack of depth means you're not getting a tonne of meaty, well-researched content.
I'm not saying it's a total flop. If you're brand new to UU and just want the basics, this book will do the trick. It's like a UU 101 crash course. But if you're hoping for something that'll really make you think or give you a deep understanding of UU philosophy, you might be left feeling a bit hungry. In a nutshell, The Unitarian Universalist Pocket Guide is... fine. It's not going to rock your world, but it won't put you to sleep either. If you're curious about UU and want a quick overview, give it a shot. Just don't expect it to be your new favourite book or anything. It's the kind of guide you might flip through before visiting a UU congregation for the first time, but probably not one you'll find yourself coming back to again and again.
But here's the thing: while it's informative, it's not exactly a page-turner. The structure is pretty basic, with chapters dedicated to different aspects of UU life. It gets the job done, but it's not winning any awards for creativity in organisation. One of the book's strengths is its attempt to address the diversity within UU. Morales tries to show how UU embraces people from various backgrounds and beliefs. There's a nice bit about how UU congregations welcome people of different faiths, which gives you a sense of the inclusive nature of the religion.
However, and this is a big however, the book often feels like it's just skimming the surface. For a "complete introduction" it left me wanting more depth on several topics. Take the section on UU history, for example. It's there, but it's pretty bare bones. You'd think a pocket guide would at least give you enough info to hold your own in a conversation about UU's roots. Compared to other introductory religious texts I've read, this one's just... meh. It's not bad, but it's not great either. It lacks the engaging anecdotes or thought-provoking questions that could really bring the subject to life.
On the accuracy front, Morales seems to know his stuff. He's a UU minister himself, so you'd hope he'd get the facts straight. But again, the lack of depth means you're not getting a tonne of meaty, well-researched content.
I'm not saying it's a total flop. If you're brand new to UU and just want the basics, this book will do the trick. It's like a UU 101 crash course. But if you're hoping for something that'll really make you think or give you a deep understanding of UU philosophy, you might be left feeling a bit hungry. In a nutshell, The Unitarian Universalist Pocket Guide is... fine. It's not going to rock your world, but it won't put you to sleep either. If you're curious about UU and want a quick overview, give it a shot. Just don't expect it to be your new favourite book or anything. It's the kind of guide you might flip through before visiting a UU congregation for the first time, but probably not one you'll find yourself coming back to again and again.
June 22, 2019
Rings true. I was given this when I became a member, but I gathered as much in the months I've been a part of mine.
I think this could have been improved with more detail - a list of famous/important UUs, a timeline of the history portion, a list of programs offered by UU and social justice involvement, lists of shared concern.
Definitely a good intro, much more needed!
I think this could have been improved with more detail - a list of famous/important UUs, a timeline of the history portion, a list of programs offered by UU and social justice involvement, lists of shared concern.
Definitely a good intro, much more needed!
May 27, 2020
Illuminating context, history, and some personal essay. Helpful in its explanations of the UU faith and feels mercifully uninterested in proselytizing.
February 21, 2021
Nice, short intro to a cool religion.
March 4, 2014
A very informative book about the religion, I learned a great deal!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews