1. Will I fit in?
2. What do Unitarian Universalists believe?
3. What is a Sunday Service like?
4. Should I bring my children?
5. What should we wear?
6. How are "Summer Services" different from regular Sunday Services?
7. Why do you call yourselves a Society?
8. What is a "Welcoming Congregation?"
9. What is the history of this congregation?
10. Unitarian Universalist humor

Will I fit in?

We offer a place for all people regardless of where they may be on life's journey. What binds us as a congregation is mutual respect, acceptance of one another, and encouragement to spiritual growth. We hope that you will join us for a couple of events in person to get a true taste.

People have said some interesting things after attending a few events ~

“The best part about living in this area is UUSIS.” – A lifelong resident of Fairfield County in his ‘30’s

“We took a family vote and it was unanimous. We won’t be sleeping in and making pancakes on Sunday mornings anymore.” – A family of four with two small children

“The new members looked so happy. I had to learn more about this congregation and I’m glad that I did.” – A woman in her late 20’s

If you want to find out if our faith fits with your beliefs, you might want to try the belief-o-matic - http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html. We have had lots of fun taking the quiz.

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What do Unitarian Universalists believe?

Neither our congregation nor the larger Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) has a religious creed. In general, Unitarian Universalists believe that every individual should be encouraged to develop a personal philosophy of life;

everyone is capable of reasoning; we do not need any other person, official or organization to tell us what to believe;

ideas should be open to criticism, we should be able to present religious opinions openly, without fear of censure or reprisal;

people should be tolerant of the religious ideas of others;

truth is not absolute, it changes over time; that everyone should continue to search for the truth;

everyone has an equal claim to life, liberty and justice;

people should govern themselves by democratic processes;

good works are the natural product of a good faith.

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What is a Sunday Service like?

Our services are different from week to week, but generally follow a regular format with traditional elements. Here is a sample of what you might find. **service example**

The Rev. Ron Sala, our minister, leads the service on most Sundays and the rest are either led by a guest speaker or member of the congregation.

Sunday Services begin at 10am and are generally over by 11:15, depending on the content.

When you enter on the Prospect Street side, Alfa or Jim (our greeters) will provide you with a nametag if you’d like -- most of our members wear nametags and we want you to feel included. To get our newsletter for three months, you can sign in the guest book. Also, you will notice that we don’t have pews; we took them out a long time ago to allow for more flexible seating options – circular, etc.

Refreshments are served immediately after the service in the social room behind the sanctuary. We hope that you will stay for coffee and conversation, but of course it's not mandatory. The refreshments can include homemade goodies, seasonal treats or ethnic fare. Some visitors have commented how we “minister to our guests with food.”

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Should I bring my children?

Yes, children are welcome at the service. Please inform Alfa or Jim when you enter the sanctuary, if you would like childcare or if you have any questions about our Religious Education program.

From Labor Day through June, there will be a children’s story early in the service on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. On such Sundays, children will begin the service in the sanctuary with their parents before leaving for their classes.

On other Sundays, the children go directly to their Religious Education classes before the service starts. Parents may accompany their children to the classrooms and return to the sanctuary once the children have settled in or the children can go to class with their teachers.

If you prefer, you may keep your children with you throughout the entire service. For preschool children, childcare is available during the service.

There are also several intergenerational services each year where children stay for the entire service.

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What should we wear to a UU service?

There is no dress code at a UU service. Attire ranges from "Sunday best" to blue jeans, with most people falling somewhere in between.

Keep in mind that children’s activities sometimes include crafts or planting, so they should dress accordingly.

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How are "Summer Services" different from regular Sunday Services?

From late June through Labor Day weekend, we offer a wide variety of less formal services. These are predominantly led by lay people and include discussions.

Please inquire about child care during the summer.

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Why do you call yourselves a “Society”?

We come from a variety of religious backgrounds – Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Pagan and even the Afro-Brazilian faith of Candomblé. The term “society” best reflects that diversity. However, some of us use “church” because it is such a familiar term.

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What is a "Welcoming Congregation?"

In June of 2002, The Unitarian Universalist Society in Stamford voted to become a Welcoming Congregation after going through sensitivity training. Official recognition allows us to become safe space for bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender persons. We take a stand against oppression in our larger communities through a variety of activities. We would be happy to tell you more in person about our current projects.

The Welcoming Congregation Program is a completely volunteer program for congregations that see a need to become more inclusive towards bisexual, gay, lesbian, and/or transgender people.

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What is the history of the Unitarian Universalist Society In Stamford?

Our historian is working on this...

Unitarian Universalist humor

You might be a UU if …

- The money you sent to the Sierra Club is more than you spent on your mother at Christmas;

- The Holy Trinity is “reduce, reuse, recycle”;

- You prefer the ten suggestions to the Ten Commandments;

- The only time “Jesus” is mentioned is when somebody falls down the stairs;

- You think a Holy Day of Obligation is your turn to provide snacks at an event;

- You have trouble singing hymns because you are reading ahead to see if you agree with the words;

- You pray, occasionally, “Dear God, if there is a God, if you can, save my soul, if I have a soul. And so, to whom it may concern, these thoughts, prayers, good vibes, karma, cosmic forces, or whatever, we offer to you, if there is a you. Or not.”

If Unitarian Universalists were gas-powered cars, we would be Subaru cars. Why? Because in a recent NPR interview with an automobile reporter for the LA Times, we heard ourselves mentioned --

“Subaru is the Unitarian (Universalist) Church of automotive brands: ecumenical, accepting, self-sufficient, observant of the natural world and reverent before it. Thoreau would have driven a Subaru, if you could have gotten him to stop playing with the windshield wipers. . . .

Subaru of America has probably the most coherent buyer profile of any car company, a profile boiled down to the Walden-esque description "inspired pragmatists."

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