I think Mike and I are going to go visit one of the City Bible churches near us. We both like to keep abreast of what evangelicals are saying. Also, admittedly, I’m intrigued by their multicultural programming and services. Mike’s been to one of the CBs before and says it wa *very diverse.*

But I know I like my UUism. It doesn’t feel as though we have nearly the passion or daily presence … thinking of ways to do that in a culture of self-reliance..

As you write:

“I’m interested in a UU Bible study. I’m interested in a prayer group to deepen my practice. I’m interested in a meditation group. I’m interested in social justice work.”

II am interested in exactly all the same things! The difference it sounds though is that I have FOUND all those things at the UU church I first started with, First Unitarian of Rochester (well, except the bible study…but i hear talk of someone starting that…). But maybe that’s why they’re growing…(that particular church made up 10% of all of the UUA’s growth last year, i think…)

So many UU churches fall empty in the spirituality department. Nearly everyone I know at my current UU church supplements their spirituality in some way… Why isn’t UUism meeting our spiritual needs? is, I think, a core question we need to ask.

As for the “What’s in it for me?” thing… When I moved away from Rochester, and talked about how disappointed I was in the availble UU options, and how my solution was to become a leader and “give, give, give”, I remember a UU minister saying to me– “Yes, but you need to be fed too.” It is one of the paradoxes, I guess, but to serve on empty means to serve from the ego, rather than a place of love. Religion should fill us so that we can then give from the heart.

Either way, I think you will learn something, as you have a critical enough mind to come away with what you need and discard the rest. I say, go for it. What could it hurt?

If you come back praising Jesus and talking about how I’m going to hell though, I’m outta here.

[Ms. Theologian says in response, Praise Jesus! However, my tolerance for places that aren’t lgbt friendly is 0 at this point in my life. I know enough not to attend. However, if a Unitarian Universalist church wanted to take on those topics….]

The Husband and I got into watching “Bishop T.D. Jakes” on tv. Practical to the nth degree, even to the point of explaining how much you should budget for a mortgage and if a house costs more than that, “don’t say you’re going to ’step out in faith.’”

I like practical.

but I guess that means I’m being elitist on your behalf.