Welcome Visitors and Newcomers!
- First time visitors - take our photo tour! (PDF)
- Where to park? Here's a parking map (PDF)
- Classes for newcomers to the Unity Church community.
Unity Church-Unitarian is a vibrant intergenerational congregation grounded in the history and heritage of liberal religion. Our shared ministry enlists the whole church family in living out the values we proclaim. At home, at church, and in the world, we strive to usher in the reign of mutual respect.
The mission of Unity Church is to engage people in a free and inclusive religious community that encourages lives of integrity, service and joy.
Welcome to Unity Church–Unitarian!
If you are a visitor or a newcomer to Unity Church–Unitarian, you will probably have many questions. This section is an overview to who we are, what we believe, and what to expect. You will find a warm welcome here.
Who attends Unity Church?
We are a congregation of about 900 adult members and over 450 children and youth, from all over the Twin Cities metro area. Our religious community thrives on diversity. Many of our members were raised in other religious traditions and bring with them a variety of spiritual experiences. Our members are single and married, with or without children, and consist of people who are gay and straight. Our facilities are handicapped accessible and our Sanctuary is equipped for those who require additional amplification.
Unity Church welcomes diversity in its congregation. Our doors are open to all who wish to join us. We have embarked on the journey to become a certified Welcoming Congregation, one that welcomes and affirms bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgender persons. We are an anti-racist congregation with a team of members actively engaged in helping us challenge racial barriers in our larger society and within our congregation.
What are worship services like at Unity Church?
Our worship services begin at 9:00, 11:00, and 4:30 every Sunday. During the summer, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, there is one service each Sunday at 10:00 a.m. For more information on our Sunday services, please see our worship information page.
What do Unitarian Universalists believe?
Unity Church is a member congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association, which includes over a thousand congregations throughout the United States and Canada. With its historical roots in the Jewish and Christian traditions, Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion -- that is, a religion that keeps an open mind to the religious questions people have struggled with in all times and places.
We are a "non-creedal" religion: we do not ask anyone to subscribe to a creed. This means that Unitarian Universalists believe different things: some believe in a personal God and find great meaning and support in prayer; others pursue a non-theist path, using Buddhist meditation practices or yoga or some other discipline to deepen their spiritual lives. Humanists among us sometimes describe themselves as atheists or agnostics. UU Christians follow the path taught by Jesus of Nazareth, and those who arrive among us from a Jewish background retain their Jewish identity while whole-heartedly embracing their new religious home. For more information on our denomination, please visit the Unitarian Universalist Association’s website.
How can one religious community hold so many people with different beliefs?
We thrive on our religious differences, because we believe that in the search for spiritual wisdom and maturity there is no such thing as a final answer: we keep learning and deepening our understanding all our lives. We therefore strive to create within our walls a lively and engaged religious home that supports the spiritual journeys of our members and friends through meaningful worship, quality religious education classes, Covenant Group discussions, exploration of a variety of spiritual disciplines, and socially engaged ministry in the wider world.
Who can attend Unity Church’s worship and events?
Guests are very welcome at all our worship services and nearly every activity offered by our congregation, adults' and children’s religious education classes, social activities and the work of our various ministry teams. Congregational meetings are held each May, and guests are also welcome at these gatherings but may not vote. Participating in activities in addition to the Sunday services will help you get to know more people and feel a part of this community – so please join activities that appeal to you!
How can I get involved?
Come to our worship services on Sunday, and then stay for some social time and coffee! We try hard to recognize and engage newcomers, but if we should miss you, please be brave and speak to folks so we can make you welcome! Let us know your particular interests and talents, and we’ll do our best to help you connect with others.
What does it mean to become a member of Unity Church?
You become a member of Unity Church – Unitarian by signing the church’s membership book. The simple act of signing your name can be a deeply significant decision for you.
Signing your name in the church’s membership book is a personal commitment to participate in a process of sharing your talents, your resources, and your energy with others in a quest that is spiritual as well as practical, personal as well as social, and individual as well as institutional.
Member Rights and Responsibilities
Members are strongly encouraged to participate in the life of the church. Members have the responsibility to read, understand, and support the Mission and Ends of Unity Church – Unitarian.
Members are strongly encouraged to make an identifiable financial commitment to Unity Church in the form of a yearly annual pledge. Pledging members are voting members of Unity Church.
Voting members have the right to participate in all congregational votes, including the calling of ministers to the church. Voting members are also eligible to apply to serve on the Board of Trustees, the Pastoral Care Associates Team, the Worship Associates Team and the Anti-racism Team.
There are two ways to become a member of Unity Church – Unitarian. You may participate in an Ingathering of New Members; or you may sign the Membership Book at a private meeting.
Ingatherings of New Members are held every two months as part of a regular Sunday service during the formal church year (September through June). People participating in an Ingathering sign the membership book immediately before the service and then are recognized by the congregation during the service. A reception immediately following the Ingathering service provides an opportunity for all congregants to meet and greet the new members and to celebrate their decision to formally join the church.
If you are not able to participate in a scheduled Ingathering, or you strongly prefer to sign the membership book privately, you may become a member at a private signing, witness by a minister and the Director of Congregational Development.
If you wish to become a member,either by participating in an Ingathering or in a private signing. Please contact the Director of Congregational Development at the Church Office.
Ingathering of New Members Calendar 2008
| April 13, 2008 | 11:00 a.m. |
| June 1, 2008 | 10:00 a.m. |
Church Ministries: Community Outreach and Social Justice |