What to Expect on Sunday
Photo by Joe Maciejko
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Quad Cities welcomes all persons.
If you are visiting for the first time and know the general way of church services in America, our Sunday services will follow a familiar rhythm. An Order of Service (which will be handed to you along with a hymnal) helps both visitors and members follow that day's service. (Please see column at right for a general idea of our order of service.) Our services may be similar to many churches that you have attended, however, in our congregation we draw from different sources of wisdom. At any given Sunday service we will draw lessons from anywhere in human and natural spiritual experience; from the Christian and Jewish traditions, to Islam, Humanism and Buddhism and all of human experience in between. After services, please join us downstairs for coffee after the service. This is where you will get to know many of our current congregants and have the opportunity to ask questions. We welcome you!
About Unitarian Universalism
The symbol of our faith is the flaming chalice. Both the chalice and the flame each have long spiritual traditions across faiths. The flaming chalice as a symbol of Unitarian Universalism dates back to the work of the UU Service Committee during World War II in its resistance to Nazism and work to rescue the persecuted from occupied Europe.
Universalism has its roots going back through centuries of free-thinking Christians in Europe and the early United States. Being a faith that holds sacred each individual's search for spiritual meaning, it has evolved into a non-denominational faith that embraces the unity of life and the universal tenets of freedom of thought and human rights. These ethics are detailed in Unitarian Universalist Association's Seven Principles and they form the core of our shared community. Frequently Asked QuestionsDo I need to dress up?
You will find attendees dressed in anything from casual to somewhat dressy styles. Smiles are most commonly worn! How will I know where to go? Every Sunday, the Welcome Team enlists a volunteer from the congregation to greet anyone and everyone who comes through the UUCQC doors. Our greeters are always happy to welcome visitors and ensure that they find a comfortable environment within the UUCQC! Can I bring my children? Quality nursery care is provided for children up to age three, but if you are more comfortable doing so, you are also welcome to keep babies with you during the service. Children over three years old are assigned to classrooms depending on their age level. We have three Youth classrooms, called Chapel One, Chapel Two, and Chapel three. We also offer Youth Group for children 12 to 17 years old. How is service time structured? When you first enter the building, you will be greeted by one of our volunteer greeters. They will direct you to the coatroom if necessary, then let you make a temporary name tag if you wish. At this point, you will be guided to sign up for our weekly email announcement. If you have children with you, you will also get to meet Aubrey Ryan, Director of Religious Education. Aubrey will help explain to you all of your child's options for experiencing service and/or Youth Religious Education. When you enter the sanctuary, you will be handed an Order of Service and a hymnal. Have a seat in any chair. After the service, you are encouraged to join us downstairs in the Social Hall for coffee and goodies. This is the best way to get a feel for the type of community we are, as well as connect to the causes you are passionate or curious about. What religion are you? Unitarian Universalism is a liberal faith with a deep regard for intellectual freedom. We take as our tenets what we feel are universal moral and ethical principles based on sources throughout the breadth of human spiritual and religious experience. Our Seven Principles are explained further in the sidebar at the right. Many people are in a quandary about which church best fits their beliefs. Try this quiz at Beliefnet.com. What is a Welcoming Congregation? The Welcoming Congregation initiative was established by the Unitarian Universalist Association in 1990 to become more welcoming and inclusive of people with marginalized sexual orientations and gender identities. It simply means that when we say, "all are welcome," we mean all. Our members and friends include Christians, humanists, atheists, Wiccans, singles, couples and families, as well as heterosexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender individuals. How do I get involved? If you haven't done so already, signup for our weekly email announcements at the Welcome Table in the lobby or use the "Contact Us" button on this website to request to be added to our mailing lists. Check the calendar on this website for upcoming services and events. All are welcome. Another great way to find out who to contact in order to get involved in our numerous programs is to take the opportunity to talk with our members during coffee hour. We look forward to meeting you! |
Typical Order of Service
Seven PrinciplesUnitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote seven Principles, which we hold as strong values and moral guides. We live out these Principles within a “living tradition” of wisdom and spirituality, drawn from sources as diverse as science, poetry, scripture, and personal experience.
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3707 Eastern Avenue,
Davenport IA 52807 Phone: 563-359-0816 Email: office@uucqc.org |
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