Brother Jeff Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 Bless the Lard, my brothers and sisters in Kryasst! I've gone back to church! Glory! Not just any church, though. I've attended the Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship twice now, and enjoyed it both times! http://www.anchorageuuf.org/ There is no religion in the services, just very liberal and generic expressions of spirituality. The minister and a few other folks commented on my glorious "Praise the Lard" t-shirt today. They loved it! There isn't any particular creed or statement of faith in the UU church, but there are seven Principles: http://www.uua.org/beliefs/what-we-believe/principles Anyway, I'm finding myself perfectly happy at this church as an ex-Christian atheist. This church is deeply involved in social justice issues and other stuff that I'm very interested in getting involved in. And the people are all very friendly and welcoming. I attended a newcomer's luncheon today after the service, and the info I got there just made me feel more at home at this church. Thank you, Jesus! Glory! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hockeyfan70 Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 There's one pretty close to where I live, and I've thought about checking it out, but I think I would find it a little too New Age-y for my liking. I do like the emphasis on social justice. I've spent several years fighting human trafficking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brother Jeff Posted April 25, 2016 Author Share Posted April 25, 2016 There's one pretty close to where I live, and I've thought about checking it out, but I think I would find it a little too New Age-y for my liking. I do like the emphasis on social justice. I've spent several years fighting human trafficking. There's no religion at all in the UU services, so it's not New Age-y at all. You should check them out! The worst that could happen is that it wouldn't be right for you. I'm wishing now that I had checked the church here in Anchorage out years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hockeyfan70 Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 I get hives just thinking about going and being a "congregant" after years of being on the stage haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangitbobby83 Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 There's one pretty close to where I live, and I've thought about checking it out, but I think I would find it a little too New Age-y for my liking. I do like the emphasis on social justice. I've spent several years fighting human trafficking. There's no religion at all in the UU services, so it's not New Age-y at all. You should check them out! The worst that could happen is that it wouldn't be right for you. I'm wishing now that I had checked the church here in Anchorage out years ago. That's not entirely true. Technically it's true. It depends on the congregation, though. My UU church is 60% atheist, but there are some that are almost pagan or new-agey. I've seen one that was practically wiccan in its service, but that was because the church was mostly filled with wiccan's, thus they did a LOT of pagan holiday services, and the members tended to do a lot of wiccan stuff in the service. Overall, I think the UU is a good organization for sure - their principals are perfectly secular and even the more...weird... congregations are every bit as welcoming and won't care if you're atheist or christian or pagan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avandris Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 There is one in my city and I keep meaning to go, but every Sunday I chicken out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hockeyfan70 Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 Yeah, I'm really nervous to attend any type of church/congregation. Just walking into my old building to have a meeting with the elders a couple weeks ago about some unfinished business was really weird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avandris Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 Yeah, just a bit wary in general. Will hopefully summon the courage to go at least once, just to see what it's like. Also @hockeyfan70 - the bug in your signature gets me every time! I'm constantly trying to swat it off my screen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hockeyfan70 Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 Yeah, just a bit wary in general. Will hopefully summon the courage to go at least once, just to see what it's like. Also @hockeyfan70 - the bug in your signature gets me every time! I'm constantly trying to swat it off my screen. I'll take it off soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randinem Posted April 28, 2016 Share Posted April 28, 2016 I keep thinking about going to one that is kind of close to me. Mostly because I only know 1 other person that doesn't believe and I would like to not feel so alone. I haven't been able to talk myself into it yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator TABA Posted April 28, 2016 Moderator Share Posted April 28, 2016 Yeah, just a bit wary in general. Will hopefully summon the courage to go at least once, just to see what it's like. Also @hockeyfan70 - the bug in your signature gets me every time! I'm constantly trying to swat it off my screen. I'll take it off soon. Bring Back the Bug! Bring Back the Bug!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hockeyfan70 Posted April 28, 2016 Share Posted April 28, 2016 Yeah, just a bit wary in general. Will hopefully summon the courage to go at least once, just to see what it's like. Also @hockeyfan70 - the bug in your signature gets me every time! I'm constantly trying to swat it off my screen. I'll take it off soon. Bring Back the Bug! Bring Back the Bug!! Haha. Well, my new one is Jesus swatting a basketball away from a poor kid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
older Posted April 28, 2016 Share Posted April 28, 2016 I get together with about 10 UU members once a week for an activity that is completely unrelated to the UU church (it started out as one of their activities and morphed beyond that). Anyway, I find them to be extremely intelligent, well read, thoughtful, politically liberal, socially concerned, environmentally aware, and generally great folks. If I had an emergency at 3 a.m., I could call any one of them and they'd be there to help. The church hosts many community events such as lectures, films, etc. for the general public on a variety of topics. If I felt the need for additional social contacts, I'd think about attending. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilith666 Posted April 30, 2016 Share Posted April 30, 2016 I went to a UU church for a while, but haven't since the novelty wore off. I do like going to church for some reason; I guess it might be the familiarity of the ritual. The one I was at really need to update their services though. They do a bazaar and lunch every year, but all the songs are pretty much just hymns. Some of which are nice, but I used to like to dance during the fun songs at the old Christian church Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellinas Posted May 1, 2016 Share Posted May 1, 2016 Each to his own. Personally, I cannot see me ever joining another organized "spiritual" group (not that I've yet extricated myself from attending church with Mrs E - but I do not regard that group as being spiritual in any meaningful sense anyway). I find it difficult to conceive of such a group that does not enforce some sort of orthodoxy. But maybe that's my lack of imagination. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Voice Posted May 4, 2016 Share Posted May 4, 2016 I've had my eye on the UU congregation model for a long time. Haven't gone though, just not comfortable with such structure. UU congregations are a great way to contribute to community and get to know people. If someone comes up to you and says "are you right with Jesus Jeff?" you can say, "wo. You do know how to think for yourself, right?" and it will all be good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShackledNoMore Posted May 8, 2016 Share Posted May 8, 2016 The minister and a few other folks commented on my glorious "Praise the Lard" t-shirt today. They loved it! 001.JPG That is a glorious t-shirt. I love it too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midniterider Posted May 9, 2016 Share Posted May 9, 2016 Glad you're having a good time, Brother Jeff. Be vigilant of the collection plate and it's expectations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midniterider Posted May 9, 2016 Share Posted May 9, 2016 Each to his own. Personally, I cannot see me ever joining another organized "spiritual" group (not that I've yet extricated myself from attending church with Mrs E - but I do not regard that group as being spiritual in any meaningful sense anyway). I find it difficult to conceive of such a group that does not enforce some sort of orthodoxy. But maybe that's my lack of imagination. If they have pot lucks and pretty girls, mmmmmmm.... not interested in structured philosophy of life though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellinas Posted May 9, 2016 Share Posted May 9, 2016 Each to his own. Personally, I cannot see me ever joining another organized "spiritual" group (not that I've yet extricated myself from attending church with Mrs E - but I do not regard that group as being spiritual in any meaningful sense anyway). I find it difficult to conceive of such a group that does not enforce some sort of orthodoxy. But maybe that's my lack of imagination. If they have pot lucks and pretty girls, mmmmmmm.... not interested in structured philosophy of life though. I'd settle for decent coffee and chocolate biscuits... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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