Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Rockville, Maryland

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I'm New: Frequently Asked Questions

What Happens on Sunday Morning?

Beginning at 10:30 a.m., each service is an offering of beauty and passion, a living symbol of life's questions and struggles, and a guide for living our values. Through worship, we connect to both the universal and the singular, the outer and inner realms of life.
 
Each service weaves together sermon, music, poetry, silence, prayer and meditation, children's stories, and the congregation's joys and sorrows. The result is a Sunday experience of harmony and diversity where we explore many possible paths to wisdom, connection, and changing the world.
 
Sermons are usually offered by our minister, and are archived online where you can read or listen to them later. Sermons cover topics such as:
  • Prayer as Spiritual Practice
  • Buddhism: The Practice of Saying Yes
  • Bouncing Back: Keeping a Buoyant Hope
  • Beloved Community: Morality and the Economy

Services are full of music to lift our spirits, and usually include two or three hymns and music from a choir (our adult, children's, or women's choir) or a guest soloist or ensemble.

Between the worship services, enjoy coffee and conversation during Fellowship Hour and participate in our Middle Hour Faith Formation offerings.
 

What Holidays Does UUCR Celebrate?

We are a church of affirmation, not of doctrine or creed. Our worship draws from many sources, including Judeo-Christian, Humanist, Buddhist, Muslim, and earth-centered traditions. We value symbol, metaphor, story, and ritual. Some of our special events form our calendar of rituals and celebrations.
 

What About My Children and Teens?

Religious education is held most Sundays after the First Fifteen in each worship service (for children) and during the Middle Hour (for youth).

  • First Fifteen - Some weeks, they attend the first 15 minutes of the Sunday service with the adults.
  • Chalice Chapel - Other weeks, the children and youth hold a worship service, just for them.
  • Multigenerational Service - Occasionally, everyone attends the entire worship service together.

Nursery care is provided every Sunday for the youngest children and infants.

 

What Should I Wear?

Wear whatever makes you comfortable. Many adults wear "weekday casual," though some wear suits and others wear jeans. Children should be dressed for outdoor activities and art projects.

 

What Do Unitarian Universalists (UUs) Believe?

We believe that religious authority doesn't come from any one book or person or institution, but from within ourselves as we explore together in religious community. We rely on personal experience, conscience, and reason as the final authorities in our faith.

Although our historical roots are in the Jewish and Christian traditions, we also draw from humanist teachings, earth-centered traditions, wisdom from the world's religions, insights of poets, scientists, and philosophers, and our own experiences of life and spirit.

Learn more about our UU religion.

 

We Are Unitarian Universalists (video)

We Are Unitarian Universalists from Unitarian Universalist Assoc. on Vimeo.

Copyright Unitarian Universalist Association

 

Where Is UUCR?

UUCR is located in downtown Rockville, near Montgomery College and the City of Rockville municipal pool. Our addresses is 100 Welsh Park Drive, Rockville, Maryland.  View map and directions.

UUCR also has an expanding presence on various social media platforms! You can "like" and follow our public page on Facebook; tweet us on Twitter; and view our snapshots on Instagram!

 

How Do I Learn More?

We host a brunch with our ministers to welcome visitors and newcomers, share information, and answer questions about Unitarian Universalism and UUCR. Held after the worship service throughout the year, brunches are announced in the Sunday Order of Service, UUCR E-Weekly, and Quest. 

If you're interested in joining UUCR or simply learning more about our faith and our congregation, sign up for New2UU, a multi-session class offered once a quarter. It is announced in the Sunday Order of Service, UUCR E-Weekly, and Quest. (Find more information about content and a current registration link here. The registration form for the next session is also below on this page if you're already ready to sign up now!) Attending New2UU is a great way to understand what Unitarian Universalism stands for and what it means to be a member of UUCR. It's also a great opportunity to get to know UUCR staff and members and to connect with others considering membership. After completing New2UU, you'll be invited to join the congregation by signing UUCR's membership book. You and other new members will be welcomed into the congregation during the next scheduled "Membership Sunday" service, currently held twice a year.

Because Unitarian Universalism is non-creedal, members are not required to affirm or adhere to a particular set of beliefs. Rather, joining UUCR means that you are entering into a covenantal relationship and making a commitment to the life, mission, and people of UUCR. Members are asked to participate in the life of the congregation by joining others in spiritual growth, service, and generosity - freely contributing your time, talent, and treasure as you are able. Members can vote in congregational meetings and elections, hold office as a member of UUCR's Board of Trustees, and receive free rites of passage.

Membership is both simple and challenging. It is easy to sign the membership book. It is challenging because of what this simple act means: that a person has made the decision to join a faith community that is actively engaged in nurturing spiritual freedom, working for social justice, and living in loving relationship with one another.

To learn more about membership or anything else about UUCR, please contact our Director of Congregational Engagement, Adrian Graham, at agraham@uucr.org or 301-762-7666 x 5.

 

 

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