Frequently Asked Questions
What to Expect on Your First Visit
-
What is the dress code?
- Dress is casual. Jeans and a casual shirt are fine. Some people dress
more formally, so you can too, if you want. Summers, you quite often find
shorts.
-
What should the kids wear?
- Something they can play in.
Parking
- There is plenty of parking and our church is handicapped accessible.
Prior to the Service
- Although our service does not start until 10:30, people begin arriving as
early as 10:00. As you enter our building, you will be met by a Greeter who
hands out the Order of Service and greets new visitors. There is a table with
several pamphlets and other reading materials. We encourage visitors to stop
at the welcome table to get a name tag, and fill out a visitor's card and pick
up a visitor's packet.
The Service
- Our service starts promptly at 10:30 with the ringing of the bell. The service
begins with the lighting of a chalice, the primary symbol of Unitarian Universalism
and a reading. Our service is conducted by either a lay-person from the Fellowship
or a guest speaker. During the period from September through May, we Sing
Out the Children as they leave for
Children's and Youth Religious Education.
- In order to help members and friends recognize and welcome our visitors,
each week as part of our welcome, we set aside time during the service for visitors
to stand and introduce themselves as they feel comfortable. However, no one
should feel pressured to participate in this activity.
- Before the sermon, we have a time for announcements
and/or reminders of church and community events; sharing of Joys and
Concerns by dropping pebbles into communal water bowl. Other parts of our service
may include: singing hymns, special music, readings, receiving of an offering,
the sermon, children's story, and meditation, or silent reflection.
- After the sermon, there is time set aside for Community Dialogue. Some of
the topics raised at Sunday services raise questions, concerns, interest or
ire that people feel they must express. To facilitate this, many of our services
end with a "talk-back" session, in which the congregation has the chance to
discuss these issues with the presenters.
- Immediately after the service, around 11:40, the service ends and we gather
for coffee and refreshments. Visitors are invited to stay and get to know us
and let us know you. On the first Sunday of each month, we bring a dish to share
for potluck.
Other Questions You Might Have?
- Does HUU hold services during the Summer?
- Services begin at 10:30 AM EVERY Sunday except when cancelled for inclement
weather. A notice is posted on the front page of our site if a service is
cancelled.
- Do I have to be a member to participate in activities or join committees?
- No. You must be a Member to serve on our Board, of course, but we have
non-members involved with our committees. It is our hope, of course,
that anyone who supports us enough to work on a committee will want to join
us as a member.
- If you have other questions, please feel free to
contact us and we'll try an
answer them. Or stop by any Sunday morning and attend one of our services.