What to expect
What style of service is it?
A typical service includes thoughtful readings, musical performances, singing together, and a sermon by our minister. Our services are respectful of our Christian and Jewish heritage, but also cherish the inclusion of Eastern, Earth-centered, and Humanist traditions.
What kinds of things should I expect to hear from the pulpit?
Our minister and others in our pulpit celebrate our diversity of theology as well as our common values and principles. You won’t hear talk about creeds or doctrines. Instead you’ll hear messages that provoke thought, give hope, and encourage compassion and inclusiveness. You’ll hear that personal experience, conscience, and reason should be the final authorities in religion, and that religious authority lies not in a book or person or institution, but in ourselves. Visit the sermon archive.
What should I wear?
Please dress in whatever way you’re most comfortable.
Where do I park?
Parking is available in the lot adjacent to the church and along North Broadway and Rock Street.
What do I do when I arrive?
Greeters will welcome you as you enter, give you an Order of Service, and provide you with a visitor name tag if you’d like to wear one. Additional information about our services and our faith is also available.
What is available for my children?
Many children and youth, pre-school through high school, participate in our religious education programs. The Sunday morning Religious Education (RE) program offers classes designed to help children develop spiritual values, ethical sensitivity, and an understanding of our Judeo-Christian heritage and other world religions. Children begin their morning with their parents in the sanctuary and leave for their classes after the Story for All Ages.
Nursery care is available for children not yet in kindergarten. For younger children who may not want to leave their parents, activity packets are available to help keep them occupied during the service.
What happens after the service?
After the service we gather for coffee and conversation in the Sanctuary, sometimes followed by workshops or discussion groups and full luncheon buffets.
What do UUs believe?
Unitarian Universalism is a spiritually alive and justice-centered religion.
Unitarian Universalists search for truth along many paths. Instead of centering our religion on specific beliefs, we gather around shared moral values that include the inherent worth and dignity of every person.
If you were to visit a Unitarian Universalist congregation, you would probably find our religious observances to be familiar. Most congregations have regular worship services facilitated by ordained ministers, religious education classes for our children, religious music, study groups, community work, and much more.
There are seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote:
The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
Are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals welcome?
Yes. The Unitarian Universalist Association has long supported gay rights, transgender rights, and marriage equality. Standing on the Side of Love is our denomination’s effort to counter discrimination in our society.
Are there opportunities for spiritual discussion among adults?
• We have a variety of changing classes and discussion groups throughout the year. Please check the website and the newsletter or ask a greeter for more information.
• Our Learning About Unitarian Universalism class helps participants learn about Unitarian Universalism and our congregation by focusing on individuals’ religious journeys, UU history and beliefs, and groups and activities in our congregation.
• Small Group Ministry groups meet regularly for discussion, personal sharing, and service to the church or community.
Directions
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs
624 North Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
(518) 584-1555
