What is Sunday morning like?

What happens when you arrive?

When you walk in the front door you will be greeted by two of our members who will escort you to our Guest Table. You will be invited to sign the Guest Book, if you like, and put on a name tag. You can pick up a copy of our most recent newsletter. If you arrive early and would like to look around the building, that is just fine - if you'd like a guided tour, ask the greeter and they will gladly find someone to show you around.

Our minister, Rev. Dr. Carol Hepokoski leads most services from the middle of August to the middle of June. About once a month, we have a guest minister, or a lay-led service with a speaker from our congregation or the broader community.

During the summer months our services are lay-led by folks in our congregation with occasional guest ministers or speakers.  Each Sunday, musicians participate in our worship services.

Religious education for children and Youth is available each Sunday from September through May.  Nursery care (ages 0-3) is available throughout the year, including the summer months.

What happens during coffee hour?

After the worship service, follow the congregation to the Commons, our fellowship hall, for coffee or tea, to chat with old friends and welcome new ones. If you attend the 9:00 service, stay after to get acquainted and discuss the sermon. If you attend the 11:00 service, you can either come before the service to join in coffee hour or stay after the service.

On the third Sunday of the month, visitors and guests are invited to join congregants at "Get Acquainted Sunday" in the Commons from 10:00 - 11:00. Church members will be there to answer any questions you may have and share the many opportunities the church offers.

What is a typical service like?

Although each service is different in content, they share common elements. A typical order of service might look like the following:

• Gathering Music
• Welcome
• Chalice Lighting
• Hymn (Singing) or Music
• Reading
• Music
• Reading
• Special Music
• Embracing Meditation
• Offertory
• Sermon
• Hymn (Singing) or Music
• Benediction
• Postlude

Sermon topics cover a broad range of subjects. Past topics have included:

• "Wisdom of the World Religions"
• "Why Are We UU's?"
• "Mystics and Mysticism"
• "You can be a Christian and a UU"
• "Honoring the Blessings of Friendship"

Music has long been an important part of our services here and there is usually a lot of variety. One Sunday a Celtic guitarist might play, the next a classical brass quartet, and the next a jazz band! Our own Walden Hills Vocal Ensemble also provides much of the music.

In the course of a year, each church has its special occasions and ours is no exception:

September:

• We welcome members and friends to services at 9 and 11 AM.  In early September we focus on Unitarian Universalism.
• We mark the arrival of Fall with a celebration of the Autumnal Equinox.

October

• We celebrate Association Sunday on the second Sunday of October

November

• During our "All Souls/Day of the Dead " service we light candles of remembrance for those who have recently died.
• The Thanksgiving" service lets us give thanks together.

December

• We celebrate the Winter Solstice on the Sunday morning closest to the event.
• On Christmas Eve we have special evening services at 4 and 6 PM.  A holiday reception is held in between services.

January

• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is celebrated with a special service.

Spring

• We celebrate Easter, Passover and the Vernal Equinox.

April

• Earth Day

May

• On the first Sunday in May we have a Maypole Sunday.

June

• In early June we celebrate the Cycles of Life with a Child Dedication, and recognition of Graduations and Retirements.  This service includes a Flower Communion.
• The Annual meeting is usually held the second Sunday in June.  On that Sunday the service is shorter and the meeting is held afterwards.

Summer

• Summer services are held at 10 AM and are often presented by members of the congregation.  Each summer we focus on a different theme.
• The final service of the summer season features a Water Ceremony where we bring together waters from our summer experiences and travels pouring them into a communal bowl.

During the adult-oriented services, children attend religious education classes. Each class also attends a special children's service in our Children's Chapel, led by the Director of Religious Education. Throughout the year there are "family" services where adults and children worship together. Nursery care (infant-3yrs) is always available. Your child is always welcome to attend the service with you, or you can choose to listen to the service together in the Hearth Room on the main floor.

The members of our congregation attend church in a variety of styles of clothing. You are welcome to wear "business attire," shorts and sandals, or anything in between. Most people tend to wear outfits that are comfortable and not overly dressy.