 What to Expect on Sunday Morning
“Worship” includes all the times that we gather together to explore and celebrate what we value most deeply. Sunday morning services are filled with music, stories, and thoughtful readings and reflections. Our sanctuary provides a sacred space where we can reconnect with ourselves and each other, challenge ourselves to think deeply about life’s big questions, accompany each other in joy and sorrow, and encourage each other’s spiritual growth, no matter what our age or life circumstances.
Services at 9:30 are in Spanish with translation into English. Read more about our Spanish services here. Services at 11:00 are in English only.
When you arrive at 11:00 on a Sunday morning you will be welcomed at the door by our Worship Hosts,
identified by the colorful stoles they will be
wearing. In addition to making you feel welcome, they
will show you where to make yourself a nametag and
sign our guest book and, if desired, help you find a
seat in the Sanctuary.
Children are Welcome
If you are bringing a small child (infant to
around four years old) we have a well-furnished
nursery staffed by two caregivers and located on the ground floor of the church. The nursery is reached by
passing though the Sanctuary to the back hall where
you’ll find an elevator that will take you down to the
ground floor. The door to the nursery is immediately
ahead of you as you turn right after leaving the
elevator. A Worship Host will be glad to assist you.
Small children are also welcome to stay with their
parents in the service if desired.
A Typical Worship Service
Although our services vary greatly from week to week,
the general format is usually similar. The service
opens with a welcome, announcements, and a formal
beginning of the service indicated by the ritual of
the lighting of our chalice and a recitation of our
Affirmation. Early in the service the children gather
for a story after which they leave to attend their
Religious Education classes. Parents often accompany
small children to their classes, especially for the
first few times.
The service continues with hymns, readings, an offering,
and a sermon or reflection. (Visitors are not expected
to contribute to the offering for their first few
visits.) Senior Minister Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones or
Associate Minister Rev. Geoff Rimositis, usually lead
Sunday services. However, we occasionally have lay-led
services that are crafted and given by members of the church or guest speakers.
Services usually last about an hour and 15 minutes.
What to Wear
Our church does not have a "dress code." On any given Sunday you might see people who enjoy getting
dressed up for church in "Sunday best" as well as those who opt for
more comfortable casual attire.
Social Hour
After our Sunday services everyone is welcome at our social hour in Hattie Porter Hall which adjoins
the Sanctuary. Children’s Religious Education classes
usually end at 12:30 giving parents a few minutes of
adult time before the children join them. A Visitors'
Table, set up near the entrance to Hattie Porter
Hall, is staffed by friendly people and stocked with pamphlets that offer more information about Unitarian Universalism and our congregation. .
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