Below are frequently asked questions that visitors have about UUCOV. If you have a question that is not addressed in this list, please feel free to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call the church office: 941-485-2105.
2. What should I wear to church?
3. What programming is available for my children on Sunday morning?
4. If my child isn't ready to leave me, can my child stay with me in the service?
5. Are people of all races welcome in this congregation?
6. Are bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender people welcome in this congregation?
7. Are interfaith/multifaith relationships accepted in your church?
8. What goes on during the worship services?
9. What will my child be learning in Religious Education classes?
10. Where can I learn more about Unitarian Universalism?
1. When and where are your services?
Our Sunday services are held at 10:30 am in our sanctuary. Please use the map and directions provided on our site to get to our church. We also hold forums many Sundays at 9:00 am. These can be workshops, special guest speakers, or other types of open discussions for both members and visitors alike.You canrefer tothe schedule of upcoming sermons and forums for more detail.
2. What should I wear to church?
Wear what you will be comfortable wearing. Members of our congregation wear a variety of styles of clothing, running the gamut from traditional "Sunday best" to shorts and sandals, and everything in between. Children should dress in something that is comfortable for play, as our Religious Education classes may often include active games, outdoor activities and a certain amount of "creative messiness."
3. What programming is available for my children on Sunday morning?
Our children and youth, including the youngest of them, join all of us at the10:30 AM worship service, where children and youth stay with their parents and guardians for the first 15 or 20 minutes and then go to their Religious Education classes for the duration of the service. Our children and youth join us during the first part of the service to remind us that we are a totally intergenerational religious community.
Religious Education classes are available for Preschool (beginning at age 4) through High School.Child care is available for all children younger from the time the children leave the sanctuary until 12:00 noon.
4. If my child isn't ready to leave me, can my child stay with me in the service?
Of course. We only ask that you be mindful of your child's attention span and ability to respect this time and space as set aside for worship. An alternative is to participate in the Religious Education classes with your child until your child feels comfortable staying by his/herself. Our Religious Education teachers are willing to work with you on helping your child integrate into Religious Education activities, always taking your child's cues and moving at your child's pace.
5. Are people of all races welcome in this congregation?
Yes, resoundingly! In our worship, in our religious education programming, in the causes we support, and in all aspects of congregational life; we strive to respect and affirm racial diversity and acceptance. We always welcome suggestions for making our congregation and our denomination more racially inclusive.
6. Are bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender people welcome in this congregation?
Absolutely! They are a vital part of our congregational life. Our congregation does active outreachin the LGBT community as a Welcoming Congregation. Knowing that church should be a safe and supportive spiritual haven for all who attend, and also knowing that for many bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgender people, their past church experience has been anything but that, we strive to be a sanctuary of love and acceptance.
We are also one of few denominations who formally recognize and celebrate same-sex unions, and who formally ordain non-celibate bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgender clergy. We take enormous pride in the fact that for more than 30 years, Unitarian Universalism has been an advocate of acceptance and justice for all.
7. Are interfaith/multifaith relationships accepted in your church?
Yes, unconditionally! Many individuals in multi-faith relationships and families find our church an ideal place to be together and grow spiritually without forcing any one individual to give up a personal religious path.
We are a covenantal church rather than a creedal one. Our members represent a wide variety of spiritual paths (Agnostics, Buddhists, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Pagans, Humanists, Atheists, Wiccans, etc.) but we come together in community around a covenant or mutual agreement based on our Seven Principles to support others in their individual faith journeys. We find our shared belief in how we treat one another and relate to each other in our congregational community.
8. What goes on during the worship services?
As in many Unitarian Universalist congregations, our services vary in both content and character, and we encourage newcomers to attend at least five or six services in order to experience fully the practice of worship at UUCOV. Generally, however, the weekly format of our services is very similar to that of a liberal Protestant congregation.
We always light the chalice, the symbol of our faith, to begin the service. The service also includes a Unison Affirmation, a children's focus, Joys and Concerns where members and friends of the congregation share their personal experiences with the congregation, hymns, prayer or meditation, a reading or two, and a central sermon or message -- delivered by our Reverend Susanne Nazian, a member of the congregation, or a guest speaker.
Readings come from various sources, including the scriptures, such as the Bible, of different faith traditions, but often also include poetry, literature, philosophy, science, or even the morning newspaper, depending on the theme of the service. Hymns generally are from the UU hymnal "Singing the Living Tradition", but can also come from other sources. Special music selections are also likely to come from a variety of sources and styles.
9. What will my child be learning in Religious Education classes?
Children and youth in our Religious Education classes learn about the UU principles through reading stories from many different traditions, discussions,songs, and art.We look for ways to apply the principles together in service projects and daily life. Currently we are using the PeaceJam curriculum for all ages.
10. Where can I learn more about Unitarian Universalism?
Below are three sites that are excellent sources for more information. The first one is a more detailed FAQ type list of questions and answers. The second is the main site for our denomination. The third is the online bookstore for the UUA, which has many books available that cover our living traditions, our history, and much more.
- "100 Questions that Non-Members Ask About Unitarian Universalism" (copyright 1994-2000, Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua, NH)
- Unitarian Universalist Association
- UUA Bookstore