FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions and Answers
For Newcomers

What do adults wear?
You are welcome to come in whatever makes you comfortable. If you are one who feels most comfortable when s/he looks like everyone else, then "business casual" will put you right in the middle of the crowd. On any given Sunday several folks are likely to be in jeans and perhaps a gentleman will wear a coat and tie.
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What do children wear?
Children will be fine in sneakers, jeans and a T-shirt, plus a sweater or jacket when it is cold. Our childrens' program is not simply a sit-there-and-listen-with-your-hands-in-your-lap experience. They will probably spend at least part of the Religious Education class sitting in a circle on a carpet, and another working with paste, glue, paint or crayons. Weather permitting, they may play in the playground behind the Childhood Education Center. Have them dress accordingly. This is not the place for frilly dresses or dress-up suits, but we seem to be really popular with the preschool and early elementary set!
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What are you Children's programs like?
We like to help our children explore the ways of justice and liberty. We believe in the importance of educating a child with more than one view of any given subject so they will have the tools to make a proper decision as they approach adulthood. Please visit our Children's Religious Education web page for specific information.
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What do children do during the service?
We provide childcare for children during the service. Children stay with their parents for the first portion of the service, which usually includes a Story for All Ages. Then we sing them off to childcare activities if they wish.
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May our child stay with us during the service?
Of course.
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How do I find you?
We currently meet at the Oberlin Early Childhood Center at 317 East College St., marked by a large abstract statue of a mother and child. Please see our Map and directions page for more details.
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Is your church accessible to people in wheelchairs?
Yes. The Early Childhood Center is entirely on ground level. The bathrooms could be better, but there is one in the back which ought to be navigable.
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Will I be welcomed?
Yes. We mean that welcoming statement on the Home page. Between Oberlin College and the Kendal community, Oberlin attracts folks from far and wide, many of whom are interested in what we might have to say. Over the years we have had members who were rich and poor, black and white, young and old, walking and wheeling, straight, lesbian and gay. We have had people of different heritages; Transplanted Yankee, Maryland hills, Chinese, Indian, French and English, to name a few. We are now an "official" Welcoming Congregation, as described by the UUA. Baptists would use the terms Welcoming and Affirming, in the UCC lexicon we would be Open and Affirming! Everyone who walks through our doors is welcome to share fully in our religious community. We have had doctors, nurses, psychologists, carpenters, teachers, counselors, computer programmers, fiddlers AND violinists, unemployed people, house wives, house husbands, students and retired people. We welcomed them all. We will welcome you.
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What's this "forum" thing?
We hold children's religious education before the service, during this time adults may attend the forum. These are discussion sessions on any of a host of topics which can range from the historical record of Jesus, a report of the work some of our members support in rural Guatemala, to social concerns of nearly any sort. Please see our Newsletters for more topics.
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What goes on during the worship services?

We usually have:

• An opening piece of music.
• Announcements.
• Chalice Lighting - We light the flaming chalice, a UU symbol of both our quest to reveal the light of truth and the light we would share with the world.
• A short reading.
• A short story for the children, after which they may leave for childcare.
• Joys and Concerns - We invite people to share their Joys and Sorrows with the congregation.
• A hymn.
• The morning offering.
• A sermon. (See the Sermons page for a list of recent topics.)
• Another hymn.
• We extinguish the chalice and sing Shalom Havareem to close.

Does your congregation have diverse beliefs?
We have some differences of opinion, yes. Most of us started out as Jewish, Catholic or Protestant. Some of us are still Christian or Jewish. Many of us are agnostics, atheists, or humanists. Some of us believe in an earth-based or Pagan spirituality. Some of us are Buddhists. We all believe in the search for truth and a deeper meaning in life. Historically, the Unitarians rejected the concept of the Trinity (hence "Uni") and the Universalists rejected the idea of salvation only for the elect. The uniqueness of the UU philosophy is that, despite the diverse theologies, we feel comfortable in worshipping together with respect for each other's beliefs.

Another approach to this question is our historical background. Our denomination was undoubtedly a Christian tradition. By looking at both traditions that make up the Unitarian Universalists, we can see that Jesus was a central figure. The Unitarians believed that Jesus was a man who was inspired by God and the Universalists believed that he saved all humanity from sin and restored our place in heaven.

By most definitions of other Christian religions today, Christians have to believe in the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), if this is the case, we are not Christian, and, with the exception of the early Universalists, we never really were. Unitarians are, by definition, people who believe in Jesus and his religion but deny that he is God - an outright rejection of the Trinity.

Today, we don't really consider ourselves as a group to be Christian, entirely. Many of our Fellowships, Churches and Societies have a Christian theme (especially on the East Coast), but our freedom to seek our own spiritual path and develop our own beliefs leaves us with the fact that some among us call themselves Christians and still others do not. Our Denomination simply will not dictate to the membership what they must believe to be members.

Unitarian-Universalists value the work that we perform to improve the world and often view a belief in religion as less important than our principles of freedom and justice for all. We like to say: "We believe in deeds, not in creeds."

Sometimes we are called the church that laughs a lot, because we do! Humor can illuminate a contentious point without rancor; it will be a rare Sunday you'll not find us breaking out in laughter during our services.

Do Unitarian Universalists believe in God?

Short answer: We believe in one god, more or less.

There are Unitarian Universalists who are non-theists, monotheists, and polytheists. We view such a word as "God" as limiting to the potential of what God is. For most people in the United States, the word God invokes images of an old grandfather style corporeal being living in the sky (similar to Zeus and other father gods of the past). For many of us, this is our view of God but we understand that such a view of God can be both offensive and exclusive. As a result of this understanding, we have chosen not to use that term often since many of us don't view God in such a way. We, instead, choose to use inclusive language to invoke an image of the divine. Examples of this language can be spirit of life, spirit of love, graciousness, reverence for life, etc.

How can an agnostic go to church?
By automobile, bicycle or on foot.

Seriously, this is one of the things about us that puzzles people. Why would an agnostic (atheist, humanist...) go to church? We give people a place to explore and grow spiritually, even if they grow in different directions. We provide religious education for their children, so that they can make an informed choice when it comes time for them to choose a religion. There is the old canard which suggests Unitarians would rather attend a discussion group about Heaven than to go there. Believe it or not, atheists, agnostics, and humanists are as moral and ethical as the next person, and welcome a community where such issues can be discussed. Finally, there is the social aspect of church. Even agnostics like potlucks.
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How do you view other religions?
We don't judge. It is important that all of us seek some understanding about how things are and attempt to answer questions that can't be answered. Some have chosen another path which may provide a more suitable means of receiving these answers. Some others have decided to strike out on their own and seek answers themselves. We see nothing wrong with any path one chooses, only that it is fair, just and you have the ability to make your own choices about your continued involvement in that specific religion. While we will never criticize a religion for its beliefs, we may have objections to a religion that becomes so powerful that they can force their will on other people who don't wish to follow that path. From the 16th century, Unitarians have believed in the separation of church and state and solidly believe that all religions, as well as people, have their inherent worth and dignity and should be respected. We also are in disagreement with religions that have in their teachings a goal of the elimination of other religions. We believe in the value of diversity and the need for more than one opinion and choice about any given subject.
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How do I become a member?
We strongly suggest that you attend our services until you are comfortable with us. We suggest you attend a new member orientation, too. Once you have decided you want to join, you sign the membership book. That's it! You don't have to sign any statement of creed or belief. Joining our Fellowship is a statement of support for our religious community.
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