By Emily

This is a description of our experience attending a Unitarian Universalist service in San Francisco. We hope to make it the first of a series describing our visits to various religious services.

What is Unitarian Universalism?

Unitarian Universalists believe that all religions are essentially one. According to the official website, the Unitarian faith draws on:

• Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves.
• Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.
• Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.

This makes for an interesting mix. Some Unitarians consider themselves Agnostic or even Atheists, while others would say they are Christians. Peace and compassion among all people is heavily emphasized in their teachings.

The Church

The Unitarian Church we attended looked very much like a regular Christian church, minus Jesus. There were wooden pews and stained glass windows, an alter and candles. In the service program, the congregation was referred to as the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco, not as a church. We aren't sure why this wording was used.

The Service

The service was structured very much like a standard Protestant service. There was music and inspirational readings, followed by a sermon from the pastor and of course, the passing of the collection plate. The church seemed very welcoming to new members. The theme of the service was to constantly grow by engaging in constructive dialog with people who may not agree with your opinions.

Our Impressions

One of the main things that attracted us to the Unitarians was their unique way of blending many faiths and traditions. During this particular service, Judaism, Christianity, and Confucianism were touched upon. The sermon was applicable to almost any set of beliefs and seemed to invite discussion and critical thought.

We also found the service to be well integrated on one theme. All of the readings were well related to the main sermon. The pastor stayed on topic and kept things light-hearted.

One thing we didn't like about the service was that the pastor emphasized regular church attendance as necessary to true spiritual growth. Emily was also uncomfortable with the overtly political message during the sermon and throughout the church on bulletin boards and such.

Conclusion

While we weren't converted, we did think that the Unitarians have a lot to offer. They were open to newcomers and seemed like they would be a good support network. If you're interested in an organized church atmosphere without strict ideology, you might try a Unitarian church.