Any UUs here?
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| Sat, 09-09-2006 - 11:31am |
I've been reading up on UUs and read other posters on other boards, and their experiences. I would like some "community" on my spiritual path, but I have my own individual beliefs and I do not want to have to "choose one" religion to find a spiritual "community." The UU philosophy and combination and respect for all beliefs and celebrating them, sounds like something I might like.
There is a UU in my area whose web site I like. They have a Pagan Circle, also, that celebrates the Sabbats, as well as the UU services on Sundays. They are also gay friendly and welcoming, another good sign they are truly UU in their philosophy, and respectful and open to all without bias or prejudice. :)
I already have web sites I'm reading, but would be interested in hearing more of a personal response of personal experience. How did you come to go to a service, etc.
Thanks,
Gypsy

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Great! Maybe we can compare notes here -- or start a new thread? I hope to have my shipment by early next week, if not sooner...
Gypsy
Blessings,
Gypsy
)O(
Oh yes, please do share your thoughts here on the board!
Yup. Haven't done that. Am being frugal with our printer ink. :P I can wait...
Gypsy
Blessings,
Gypsy
)O(
Sounds good to me! :D
Gypsy
Blessings,
Gypsy
)O(
I've been a bit absent from the board, so sorry for the late response. My husband and I joined the UU church in 2002 when we were looking for a community just like you. We were both raised Roman Catholic but had such a love for multi-culturalism, diversity, and multiple religions that we found it hard to worship in just one narrow way. Plus my husband and I had found a lot of interest in the divine femine, neopaganism, and for me especially, cosmology/the occult. What I mean by "occult" is better described as direct experience with the devine.
We love our UU church and their welcoming attitudes. I have only had to come to terms (become more comfortable) with two things in our fellowship. The first is that the sermons and views of the fellowship are what I would consider more political and less worshipful than I was use to. I was use to much more ritual and theology in the Catholic church. The second is that since this fellowship in our city is a small one with a lot of interested and diverse people, they tend to spread themselves thin by taking on a lot of activities to address all the interests.
I really like the UU's and we are raising my son in that community as well.
Cheers,
Erica
I'm not sure about whether I'll stick with the UU church or not. Overall, I do enjoy the services. Some of the structure is "too Christian" for me, as are some of the hymns. Yet other hymns are inspiriting without any religious slant at all. So there is a balance. :P However, I know there are very liberal Christians drawn to the UU, as are Atheists, Pagans, Theists, Deists, Agnostics, and every other spiritual path. So I understand UU needs to foster all-inclusiveness. The sermons and focus is very diverse, however, and not all slanted to one belief system. At least not that I've picked up so far. It troubles me that in the small Pagan group in which I participated in their Mabon Circle, there was a sense of disgruntledness with the UU church. There are some hard feelings, evidently, but to their credit, they did not deluge me with all the details. Some still attend the church; some do not. I don't know how I feel about that. And I do not want to be torn between conflicting views, as I'm still in the "discovery" stage, both with the church and the Circle.
I hate church "politics" and don't want to be in the middle of conflicts of others. So, in a way, I'm holding my breath. I felt they should have mentioned and included Mabon as a theme in the overall service either this past Sunday or the Sunday prior. Yet they did not. I was disappointed in that. Not because the whole thing should have been Pagan oriented. Far from it. Just an honorable mention, so to speak.
So, while the Circle was totally awesome and I get chills remembering the experience, I get something different from the church services. So far there is not a lot of politics or activism being included in Sunday services. It's mostly focused to give time for meditation, a theme (last Sunday was about Choices in our lives and how those choices determine our paths and who we become) to give us inspiration in our lives. No mention of any specific deity or anything. I like the ritual of lighting the fire in the chalice. It symbolizes the Element of Fire to me, and my associations with the meaning of that Element in my life. :) I was also raised Catholic, and so I know about the intense ritual in the Mass. And no, the UU church I am trying out, doesn't have that level of ritual, either. But I got that very much through the Pagan Circle, and I intend to continue with them, also. There will be a gathering for Samhain. DD & I look forward to that.
Gypsy
Blessings,
Gypsy
)O(
I attended my first and more than likely last
I agree about the human contact once in awhile. I like my solitude way of life, with DH home evenings, DD coming over now & again. Perhaps the connection to the UU church was meant as an avenue to find the Pagan group and not something more permanent? I don't know. I'm just going to go with it for awhile. I'm not sure I want the every Sunday kind of thing. :( Having people to celebrate the Wiccan Sabbats with is a wonderful opportunity, though, and one I have wanted for a long time. :)) I hope your connection with that one person, and the network of others, will give you what you are looking for.
Gypsy
Blessings,
Gypsy
)O(
WOO! HOO! My two books, "Chosen Faith" and "To Re-Enchant the World" came today! :)) I just ripped open the boxes they came in! :D I'm going to go take a peek at 'em and take a look-see. Will post later what I think of them. :)
Gypsy
Blessings,
Gypsy
)O(
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