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What are services like?
Our Sunday Morning worship services are held under our open-air pavilion, among the birds and butterflies and the many animal inhabitants of our beautifully wooded property. [Close]
How can I arrange to meet with the minister?
Leave a message on the church answering machine: (813) 792-1622 or email minister@spiritoflifeuu.org (note: Phone is the preferred method of contact). [Close]
Who do I speak with about children's programs?
A volunteer Religious Education staff heads the program and provides teaching for all ages, as well as childcare. You can learn more by calling 813-792-1622 and by perusing our Religious Education Handbook. Contact LRE co-chair Terri Willingham: willinghamster@gmail.com [Close]
What kinds of things will our family learn through the Religious Education program?
We seek to give youth and adults building blocks with which to articulate their own beliefs. We provide a balanced program of UU identity, Jewish/Christian heritage and world religions, as well as a look at social justice and action issues.[Close]
How can you teach without doctrine?
Because we believe as notable UU Wm. Ellery Channing wrote,"The great end of religious instruction is not to stamp our minds irresistibly upon the young, but to stir up their own...to touch inward springs." We believe in our inherent spirituality and believe it is our task to nurture members' spirits not to indoctrinate their minds.[Close]
How do the youth learn?
We know that youth learn in different ways, so we offer multiple approaches to engage their spirits, imaginations and curiosity. We use stories, discussion, games, art projects and music, among other things.[Close]
What will our family learn about big religious questions?
You will learn that all big questions have many answers, and that we have an individual duty to search responsibly for our own answers. But we also give members a foundation on which to build their values. Members learn that:
There are as many ideas about God as there are people;
We hold Jesus in the tradition of the great prophets and teachers, and we learn from the example of his life;
Death is a mystery inseparable from life, and the only immortality we can know for sure is that which lives in the hearts and minds of those we touch, so how we lead our lives each day is of utmost importance.
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Do youth share in the worship service?
Yes!! Our youth are integral to our services and remain in the service for the first half of the program, and sometimes for the entire service. Our youth also host a service each year.[Close]
Will our family be accepted?
As Unitarian Universalists, we are deliberate in our welcoming of all families and we want you to feel loved, accepted and respected. We believe that diversity is a treasure that enriches us all![Close]
What can interfaith families find here?
We are often the "right fit" for interfaith families. We honor major world religious holidays. We hold Seders and have Sahwain festivals and celebrate Christmas. Both Jewish and Christian scriptures, along with the sacred writings and thought of many world religions, form the basis of much of our curricula, for we know there is value in all of them.[Close]
How often should we attend church?
Both youth and adults enjoy religious education more if they have an opportunity to make friends and know what's going on. For that reason, regular attendance is important. Sometimes circumstances like shared custody can make one family's "regular" attendance different from another's, and sports and other activities can create attendance conflicts. But families must ultimately decide what their priorities are for themselves and for their children.[Close]
What are my responsibilities as a parent with children in the Youth Group?
Spirit of Life believes that "The Congregation is the Curriculum." Youth learn values from their parents. Your active involvement, from encouraging regular attendance, to showing an interest in each week's program and activities, and volunteering your time with the program, is immeasurably important. Additionally, your support in terms of both service and financial assistance is important.[Close]
More questions?
Contact us here: http://www.spiritoflifeuu.org/contact.php [Close]
