Last Sunday, I didn't make it over the bridge to First Congo, so I googled some churches in the area and settled on First Unitarian Universalist. Dan was not feeling churchy that day so he dropped me off and spent his Sunday morning worshipping in the aisles of Trader Joe's.
The church was a big, beautiful building, and the pews were nearly full. The service very much reminded me of Dan's and my former United Church of Christ church (Edgewood United) back in East Lansing. There was an organ and a choir and classical music. It was somewhat liturgical, but not as much as the Catholic church. There were three white men in robes leading the service (which differs from Edgewood where there was one white, lesbian pastor). But both churches mentioned various social justice issues up at the pulpit just like Edgewood would.
The congregation was mostly white older folks, with a few Asian-Americans and Latinas. Still no African-Americans. There were also some middle-aged folks as well as a few young people. Instead of a sermon, the choir was performing a requiem that day. I'm not a big fan. It was in a minor key and sounded very ominous. They were very good though. I'm sure there are a lot of people who would have enjoyed it. The congregation seemed to.
Their bulletin had a paragraph that read, "Who are we? We are thinkers and feelers, atheists and believers, Eastern and Western, children and adults, sinners and saints, gay and straight, rich and poor, New Agers and old timers, native San Franciscans and recent arrivals, conservatives and liberals, early birds and procrastinators. Our differences unite us. Surely there is a place for you too."
God was mentioned often, even though the website had a video titled "God is optional, you are not," (which, frankly, annoyed me). I felt very comfortable there as a Christian, but I really can't imagine everyone mentioned in the above paragraph feeling comfortable there, specifically atheists and conservatives.
Next week the sermon is called "Noah's Ark and Animal Rights," and they're having pets in the courtyard that you can adopt! I sat in that beautiful and sunny courtyard after church and watched a visiting Pagan group raise the May pole for May Day. I took note of the beautiful open space and wondered if I could sneak back there sometime just to catch some rays.
I felt very satisfied after going, even though it wasn't really my thing. I'm feeling venturesome lately, which is so different than last year when I was feeling sick, tired and overstimulated. I'm also conscience that I am experiencing more freedom in regard to other faiths and religions. I never would have gone to a Unitarian church in high school or early college. I feel much more solid in my own faith now and am less fearful of other religions and belief systems. And it's always nice to not think you have to convert the whole world to Christianity like I did in junior high and high school!
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