The Unitarian Universalist Association is a spiritually focused organization that welcomes people of all religious and even non-religious beliefs in the spirit of joining in community to celebrate life and support each other in doing good for the benefit of connecting to all humanity.
Most religions, while being tolerant and charitable towards other beliefs, still have an exclusiveness unto themselves. In contrast, you can be an active member of any religion and still be accepted into the Unitarian Universalist community.
The Unitarians are unique in that they truly embrace anyone who wishes to befriend them into their community of spirituality. I personally have been on a spiritual quest for most of my adult life learning about many religions and occasionally attending various religious services. And I have found that I am most comfortable being part of the Unitarian Universalist Community. What I find very appealing is the inclusiveness of the rituals during their Sunday services. While Sunday services may vary a bit in different congregations, these are a few of the basic elements that I have observed while attending Sunday services at the Unitarian Universalist congregation at Rock Tavern, NY, in the past few weeks.
There is an opening greeting, a musical prelude and a hymn or two will be sung during the service. They light a candle in a chalice (their unifying symbol) at the beginning of the service and put it out at the end of the service. The lit chalice primarily represents the warmth of community, the light of hope and the search for truth. A sermon will be given by the minister, member of the congregation or visiting guest speaker (sometimes video-screened from a distant location).
They also have a special short segment for young children called “a time for all ages” where children come together and are read a short moralist or educational storybook by one of the congregation’s members. There will be a moment of silence for individual prayer or meditation. I like this ritual because it allows a person to silently focus on personal thoughts or prayers while at the same time being part of a group dynamic.
There is also a segment called “Joys and sorrows or concerns” where people are invited to speak of any personal matter that is pressing on their mind. This is another ritual that I like because it allows an individual to share something personal about their
life that helps to bond that person into the wholesomeness and strength of the community.
Each Sunday there is a sermon but what is interesting is that the sermons are not always of a religious or spiritual nature. They often have guest speakers on a wide range of informative topics often of a humane, ecological or artistic nature. What I like about those sermons is that I often come away learning something new.
At the end of the service there is a benediction (an expression of good wishes) where people will stand and form a semi-circle around the back and sides of the church as the chalice candle light is extinguished signaling the close of the service with these words, “We extinguish this flame but not the Light of Truth, The Warmth of Community, or the Fire of Commitment. These we carry in our hearts until we are together again.” If you are curious about expanding your spiritual horizons into the inclusive constellation of Unitarian Universalism, you can explore their website at: http://uucrt.org/
Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Agnostics, Atheists and what have you… all are welcome!