Here are some frequent questions and answers for people who are thinking about visiting us for the first time.
You can read the whole list or click on a question to jump to it.
- What do adults wear?
- What do children wear?
- What are your children's programs like?
- What do children do during the service?
- May our child stay with us during the service?
- How do I find you?
- When is Sunday Service?
- Is your church accessible to people in wheelchairs?
- Will I be welcomed?
- What goes on during the worship services?
- Do you perform interfaith weddings?
- Do you perform "gay" weddings?
- Does your congregation have diverse beliefs?
- "Liberal Religion" -- are Republicans unwelcome in the Fellowship?
- Do Unitarian Universalists believe in God?
- How can an agnostic go to church?
- How do you view other religions?
- How do I become a member?
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.
(Back to the top)
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!
(Back to the top)
What are your 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.
(Back to the top)
What do children do during the service?
Children participate in Religious Education 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 RE activities if they wish.
(Back to the top)
May our child stay with us during the service?
Of course.
(Back to the top)
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. Small groups, meetings, and other activities scheduled during the week take place at our offices at 181 West College St, or often at members' houses or at Kendal.
(Back to the top)
When is Sunday service?
Services are held every Sunday at 10:00am from September through June, we follow the academic calendar (mostly) and have alternative services during July and August, mostly at our offices at 181 W. College St.
(Back to the top)
Is your church accessible to people in wheelchairs?
Yes. The Early Childhood Center is entirely on ground level. The bathrooms predate the ADA, but are large and easily navigated.
(Back to the top)
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, brown 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
enters 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.
(Back to the top)
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 topics.)
- Another hymn.
- We extinguish the chalice to close the spiritual circle.
We may omit some things on some weeks. Our minister serves us part-time,
while the rest of the time our services are lay-led, typical of the fellowship movement within the Unitarian-Universalist
Association. Our services can vary from this form depending on the topic and the leader. It's like Ohio weather, if today's topic didn't suit you, come back next week to see what's different.
(Back to the top)
Do you perform interfaith weddings?
We perform ceremonies for couples of all sorts, shapes, and sizes. We can take advantage of the several lovely locations on the Oberlin College campus, and Rev. Heilman or Lay Leader Barbara Fuchsman would be happy to officiate.
Do you perform "gay" weddings?
We perform ceremonies for couples of all sorts, shapes, and sizes... Unfortunately, Ohio does not yet grant legal status to such ceremonies, but "we stand on the side of love," and will gladly help you celebrate... Unitarian Universalists have a long history of working to foster acceptance, inclusion, understanding, and equity for bisexual, gay, lesbian, and/or transgender persons of all colors, races, and ethnicities, both within the UUA and in society at large. Our Fellowship is committed to confronting homophobia and heterosexism and affirms the inherent worth and dignity of persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
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.
"Liberal Religion" -- are Republicans unwelcome in the Fellowship?
"Liberal Religion" refers to those traditions more open to learning and change rather than to fixed dogma. It's a way of describing our faith, not our politics. Although, it being Oberlin after all, you're likely to find we're usually more interested in what Benjamin Rush had to say, rather than that other Rush...
But we don't check your party registration at the door, really, everyone is welcome.
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 might be. 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.
(Back to the top) 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 and where principles of community service may be put into action. Finally,
there is the social aspect of church. Even agnostics like potlucks.
(Back to the top)
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.
(Back to the top)
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.
(Back to the top)
