Unitarian Universalists discussion

I'd love to get to know you. Introduce yourself, tell us anything you'd like us to know and, if you'd like, tell us about your congregation.

Hello. I am a UU, currently living in Denver. My husband and I are members of First Unitarian Society of Denver (FUSD). We first attended a UU church in Salt Lake City, Utah!

I love to read, and mainly read fiction. Science fiction, mysteries and anything else I stumble across. I am currently reading:

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
This is a big book (600-900 pages, depending on edition). It's been a strange read for me. When I'm reading it, I enjoy it, but I have to almost force myself to read it. I haven't figured out my reaction to it yet.

A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick
I've just started this and am enjoying it so far. On goodreads it seems to be a love it or hate it book, no neutral territory.

Welcome, KarenLee.

I have that experience with a lot of books. I don't know why, either.

Hi, I recently joined the Wellspring UU Congregation in Chester Springs, PA.
I like a variety of books mainly fiction. recently I have been rather addicted the Laurie King's Mary Russell Series with Sherlock Holmes.
I am interested in learning about good UU books.

Welcome, Angie. I enjoyed that series, too. I've read the first five, I think, but it's been awhile.

Hi Mallie, Welcome. I'm sorry I didn't respond earlier. It's ironic that you posted an hour after I did and I didn't see it until now. I've been a pretty lame moderator lately.

I live in Fort Worth and attend First Jefferson UU Church.
http://www.firstjefferson.org/
I love the diversity and freedom of thought in UU churches.

While I've posted elsewhere in this group, I didn't introduce myself. I am a new member of the Statesboro (Ga) Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. However I'm a former member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Florence (SC - emerging congregation), and over all through the CLF, an UU for the past 30+ years.

Welcome, Dale, and thanks for introducing yourself, Steven!

Girl4: if you like to learn about us, we'd be glad to suggest some readings so you can find out about the 250 year history of Unitarain Universalism in the USA,

Hi, I'm from the Cape Town (South Africa) Unitarian Church. I'll read just about anything, but books on UU and related topics seem to be scarce in Cape Town libraries.

Welcome Thomas! I have to admit that I've never heard of the church you are part of...it sounds fascinating. I agree that the UU tends to be a good forum for thoughtful discussions about faith. That's what drew me to it.

Ty

Girl4beluga, I think your group sounds like the kind of thing UU's talk about all the time. I think it's great trying to get different perspectives, but each UU who would show up would be different because by definition a UU determines his or her own truth.

I personally find it exhausting talking about religion with conservatives of any kind. I applaud your efforts but I would just get frustrated, I think. Thanks for inviting us.

And welcome to everyone who has joined. Now if we could just get a discussion started...

Hi, I'm Rachael. I've been a member of a UU church in Syracuse, NY for a couple of years now. I grew up Episcopal, but figured out pretty young that Christianity does quite jive with me. I consider myself UU first, but I have very strong Pagan and Buddhist leanings, plus a hodge podge of a whole lot of other things. I'm looking forward to moving back to New England (grew up outside Boston) in the spring, where more people are at least familiar with what being a UU means!

Right now, I'm reading Caroline Myss' "Anatomy of the Spirit", "A Three Dog Life" by Abigail Thomas, and "I Am Number Four" by Pitticus Lore. I'm also listening to the 4th Percy Jackson novel on audiobook. Yeah, I'm one of those people who is reading many things at once, all the time.

Looking forward to being active in this group!

Hi Rachael, welcome!

Hi y'all, I've actually visited several churches and haven't been to a universalist church yet! I've a friend at work that feels at home there, though, and looking forward to checking it out.

Hi, my name is Tiffin. I'm 30 and live in Eastern WA with my BF and two dogs.

I've just recently stumbled up on UU and have been to church all the month of January so far. Not a member yet but maybe one day. Our pastor injured himself before Christmas and is at home healing until March so I haven't met him. So joining will be held off til at least March.

I do enjoy what I've found out so far!

I enjoy reading about other religions, I also love Science Fiction (Arthur C. Clarke) and my Stephen King. :)

Hi Tiffin!

Thanks for joining! We have a lot in common. I read mostly SF and the author I most listen to on cd is Stephen King! (I really like the ones he narrates himself.) I even live in Washington State (Western Washingon, though, Seattle area). What part do you live in?

I'm glad you're waiting to join until you meet the minister. Unlike most other Western-type organized religion churches, UU churches don't have to follow any specific doctrines (although they are expected to follow the general principles). Therefore a church can vary greatly from another. The congregation is a huge part of that as they invite a minister to join their church and thus are going to have one that fits their culture. But of course, the minister sets the stage so to speak.

Growing up our church had a nationally very well respected minister who gave fantastic sermons. However, he was kind of a control freak and didn't have the best bedside manner (he wasn't bad, just too intellectual when people just needed compassion). When he retired, our church took two years to find the new minister who I hear is amazing. But that church is in the university district and thus very intellectual. The sermons feel like attending a lecture; a good lecture but a lecture nonetheless. I've been to a couple of different churches around the country and attended a UU conference and they varied quite a bit. One of the biggest in the Midwest is called "All Souls" which is way too Christian a name for the folks at my church. So it varies tremendously.

My point is just that I think you are making an excellent decision. And if you don't particularly like that minister, don't give up--try another UU church.

I'm in a tiny little town called Desert Aire. If you draw a line from Ellensburg to Tri-Cities I'm about in the middle of that on the Columbia River. I moved from Renton last year :).

I've heard lots of good things about the minister and can't wait to meet him. I guess he is very knowledgeable about a good number of religions and holds classes onces a month (once he's healed again).

I think from what the people at the church have said, we'll really like the minister. :)

Oh that's great! What made you move that far? I live in Shoreline.

My boyfriend is originally from this area (Richland), and his fishing spot is not too far away. He got a job out here and I work from home so it was an easy move. Plus we visited the area beforehand and I really like it.

Sounds really wonderful. I'd love to move to the middle of nowhere. Unfortunately, my foster kids preclude that.

Hello all,
I am a former Biblical Fundamentalist who is now a mixture of Christian mysticism, Taoism, Zen Buddhism, and Sufi mysticism. Although I don't attend a UU church, I am a universalist and I believe in unity :D I currently write a blog about my transformation from fundamentalism to whatever one wishes to call me now...I've introduced myself as a Baptaoist, but that was only for laughs :P The blog is at http://emptyyourself.wordpress.com. Stop by and say hi :)

Looking forward to interesting interactions :)

Hello Jef and welcome! You've made a very interesting transition. Welcome to this side of the spectrum. I love the Baptaoist description. :)

Hi all! I'm a life-long UU, grew up in the Springfield, MA society and now attend First Unitarian Brooklyn. I'm always happy to find these little UU communities out there in the ether :)

Hi! I grew up Adventist and Baptist but honestly haven't been to church in years. I'm very interested in UU and books are my favorite way to start learning something new, so here I am. Looking forward to working through the bookshelf :-)

Hi, I'm Liz, I'm a member of UU Fellowship at Salisbury, on Maryland's Eastern Shore. I served on the board last year, and I was given a copy of "Serving with Grace" which is a great book. I love to read..due to peer pressure I did read the Twilight series, but my true love is The Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk.

Hello all! My name is Scott and my wife and I are just starting to attend our local UU church in Portland ME. I'm interested to know what books anyone would recommend for us to learn about the philosophy and the history of the church. Thanks for your recommendations!

Oh hey! There is a "UU Pocket Guide", that new members often are given... It's pretty short. I also like "Serving with Grace"...
Liz

The other popular introduction is "A Chosen Faith".
How about Forrest Church's "The Cathedral of the World" as a way to learn about the history and theology? Or at least one part of it.

Thanks to you both! I'm adding those to my list now.

Welcome everyone. Somehow my notifications for this group were turned off. I'm so sorry.

Hi! I'm a member of First Unitarian Church of Oakland (California), though I attend sporadically at best. I was previously a member of the Unitarian Church of Lincoln (Nebraska). I am currently reading Eboo Patel's Acts of Faith, which I'm enjoying very much. I have a pretty robust 'religion' shelf here on Goodreads, and I think my account is set up so that you can see my shelves if you wish to check it out.

I'm especially interested in the connection between Universalist preacher Adin Ballou, Tolstoy, Gandhi, and MLK Jr.

Welcome, Margie!

Hello all - I'm Rachel. Moved to western MA in July. I've been a member of UU congregations in at least four different states (military brat). Still haven't been to any of my local congregations to check them out... and it's been many years since I attended a UU church regularly. Hope to get to one soon!

I love reading (of course!) and I enjoy all kinds of different subjects. I am also a writer - mostly of fiction, and mostly the fantasy genre. My big goal in life is to publish a book in as many different genres as I can.

I've been exploring my spiritual side much more as of late, and look forward to making this group a part of that exploration.

Hi Rachel, welcome! Sorry for the delay, I was working on a book and I had a deadline that approached way too fast. I had to go an entire week without reading anything. It was horrible! :)

Anyway, what have you written?

Hi. I live in South Africa and the only UU congregation that I know about has 50 members, is based in Johannesburg, and is 135km from me. I discovered it last year and I have been there once in November 2012.

You might want to read the books that I have written and published as eBooks.

One is called The Kingdom Is Within: Master of Your Destiny 2. In this book I explain our oneness with God the creator and how our belief in separation has caused the current personal and global problems. I also explain how one can begin to connect to God who is within each one of us. You can check it out and even download free chapters on http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/....

The other book is called Journey To The Kingdom: Master of Your Destiny 3. This book explains the process of conversion. Conversion is not something that happens when one decides to become a member of a particular religion and gets baptized. Conversion is a process of inner transformation of the self, getting rid of the ego-based personality who lives solely on the physical, and introducing the spiritual self, the self that is aware of its oneness with God.
You can look up the book on smashwords.com where you can purchase it for any electronic reading device. The link is http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/....

Welcome both of you!

thank you Kelly

Kelly Maybedog wrote: "I'd love to get to know you. Introduce yourself, tell us anything you'd like us to know and, if you'd like, tell us about your congregation."
Hi all...Im a longtime UU since 1994, former member of the Worcester MA UU church and First Parish Brewster on Cape Cod.. I am currently a member of Annapolis UU church and am interested in historical novels and biographies and books with a slant on African American history...I recently read two outstanding book Id like to recommend : The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander and The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson...Id enjoy discussing either or both with anyone here...
My favorite fiction writers are Alice Hoffman, Wally Lamb, Anita Shreve, Geraldine Brooks, Toni Morrison, bell hooks, Alice Walker and so many others...I read about 1 book a week so dont hesitate to recommend a favorite that you can't keep to yourself..

Welcome, Stephanie! I wish I had some recommendations for you, but I don't read much nonfiction. I'm desperate for escape right now so I mostly read fiction. I'm sure that's some flaw in my character. :)

Kelly Maybedog wrote: "Welcome, Stephanie! I wish I had some recommendations for you, but I don't read much nonfiction. I'm desperate for escape right now so I mostly read fiction. I'm sure that's some flaw in my charact..."

No flaw at all for me!...lol...I love to read fiction and am currently reading a new one by Luanne Rice...Kate Morton's books are also great if you need an escape without insulting your intelligence.

I'm Lauralee Carbone, member since 2005 of the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship in Bellingham, Washington. We have a small book group that meets monthly. We read a mix of general fiction and non-fiction.

Margie wrote: "Hi! I'm a member of First Unitarian Church of Oakland (California), though I attend sporadically at best. I was previously a member of the Unitarian Church of Lincoln (Nebraska). I am currently ..."

Oakland born and raised.

Hi, I'm Carol residing in Divide, Colorado which may be higher than any UU church. I've been an active UU in Colorado most of my adult life. In retirement and far from any church (and surrounded by the kind of Christians who scare me), I would love a group to foster reading and conversation about the great spiritusl works.

Me, too. :) Unfortunately, this group isn't at all active. I don't know how to make it so.

Pluralism has that effect. UU's have no fierce doctrine to defend, nor religious beliefs to attack.. There is no need to cluster to renew beliefs and strengthen the dividing lines.

I don't see it that way. Unitarian Universalism holds to principles that inform us of the compassionate and moral aspect of the most controversial issues our society faces today. Our religious beliefs prompt us to be among the forefront of the fight for justice and compassion toward those most marginalized by our society.

UU isn't pluralism; rather UU abides by the tenets of pluralism, and does so in precisely the same way that liberal Judaism, liberal Christianity, etc. abide by the tenets of pluralism. What UU is is "syncretic" - deriving our religious principles from many sources of human wisdom. And I don't think syncretism necessary affects the fierceness of advocacy with regard to UU belief. This may simple not be a preferred venue therefor.

As a newbie to UU then, may I ask: what ARE the religious (not the humanitarian) beliefs of UU?

The inherent worth and dignity principle translates to many of the ten commandments (honor thy parents, don't kill, adulter, covet...)

I'd say that once you get past the god parts, most of the teachings of the greats (Jesus, Buddha, etc...) are humanitarian.