… and some answers:
What should I wear to church? ……Come as you are. Come in whatever makes you comfortable. You’ll see a range, from “Sunday best” to very casual.
Can I bring my children? ….. Yes, we welcome everyone. Religious exploration for children and youth is an important part of our mission. Children who sit with their parents for worship are welcome to select a fidget box, crayons, or other item from the cart in the back of the sanctuary. At various times in the year, there are all ages services, when children and adults participate in worship together.
Will you take up a collection? …….Yes, it is optional of course, but it is a way for anyone wishing to help our church and various non-profits we sponsor. Any gifts are gratefully received. If you can’t contribute, just pass the basket on to the next person 🙂
What makes your church different from others? ……..There is no test of creed to join. Within our congregation, you’ll find a diversity of spiritual beliefs. In our Religious Exploration program, we do not indoctrinate children by teaching them what they should believe. Rather, we try to spark their own curiosity about religious questions and provide them with the tools they need to make their own decisions.
Will I be pressured to join? ……. No. We know that many people prefer to visit several houses of worship before they start making relationships. In fact, we want you to get to know us, speak with our lay leader or worship associate, and attend a membership class before applying to become a member of our church.
Is it true that your church is accepting of LBGTQ+? ……….It’s true. As a matter of fact, we’ve committed ourselves to actively welcome all members of the LGBTQ+ community. That’s earned us an LGBTQ Welcoming Congregation designation from the Unitarian Universalist Association. We have many members who identify as LGBTQ+.
Is your building disability accessible? .……. Our worship and fellowship spaces are accessible, including the bathrooms. Our church building does have second floor loft, but there is ample seating on the first floor, where most of the congregation sits anyway. We have members who use walkers, canes, and wheelchairs, so join us. We are always looking for ways to improve our accessibility as well.
How do I get my other questions answered? …………Please come to a Sunday service and speak with members or greeters, contact membership@uutampa.org, or call our church office at 813-988-8188.