UUCJ
Membership
WELCOME
to our diverse and dynamic community. We come from many different
backgrounds and embrace a variety of spiritual beliefs and practices.
We share ideas and lives that celebrate life and defend individual
freedom. We base our shared religion upon being loving and doing
justice. We are Unitarians; so, we believe that life is an evolving,
creative unity, and we believe that science and knowledge complement
true religion. We are Universalists; so, we believe that everyone
is blessed in life, and that everyone will find peace in death.
We think that each religion has part of the truth, and that no religion
has all of the truth.
The first natural step
in exploring membership is to attend several Sunday services. Sermon
topics reach far and embrace much. We celebrate many holidays, use
global wisdom from the most ancient to the most modern, and vary
our service formats. Church members participate actively in the
creation and celebration of our services, outside speakers join
us periodically, and discussion is a regular part of our services.
Music is important to us, and a 15 minute mini-concert precedes
our 11 a.m. service. Children and youth are welcome to the mini-concert
and stay for the early minutes of the service before proceeding
to their religious education classes. After the service, be sure
you also go downstairs to the Social Hall to enjoy conversation
and refreshments. We look forward to getting acquainted! If you
wish, feel free to attend one or more of our social events, continuing
groups, or adult education opportunities, during your weeks of visiting
us. By signing our Visitor Book you will receive our biweekly newsletter
that will keep you apprised of our many Church activities.
The second natural step
in exploring membership is to attend an "Orientation for New People,"
held each month on the 2nd Sunday, from 12:30-1:15, which
is led by the Membership Committee and the Minister. Youll
see a brief video about our association of independent Unitarian
Universalist congregations, the Unitarian Universalist Association
[UUA], hear a bit about our denominations and congregations
history and our basic principles and traditions.
For individuals and families
considering membership, the UUCJ Membership Handbook serves as a
useful guide to our history, spirituality, governance, and the many
social events, interest groups, and UU activities and resources
this church has to offer. It will also serve as a valuable resource
to new members in fully enjoying and becoming integrated into our
church community.
Come
and Learn More About UUCJ
Starting Wednesday, January 29
7 p.m.
Dave Johnson,
long-time UU has developed an interesting, informative introduction
to UUCJ and "UUism." If you are a new member or are thinking
about joining, this is the class for you! Get to know each other,
share your spiritual journeys, explore the UU values, theology,
beliefs, ministry, spirituality, tradition, and history. Our two
ministers will present their visions of professional ministry, and
explore with the group how members minister to one another.
Download and fill out out the registration form (see below) and
bring it to the office or leave it with one of the greeters on Sunday.
Click here to download the NewUU Form.
INTENT
TO JOIN
UNITARIAN
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF JACKSONVILLE
What will you receive
by joining the Unitarian Universalist Church of Jacksonville [UUCJ]?
We have found our spiritual home here. It is a religious and ethical
center for our lives. We regularly receive intellectual stimulation
and religious inspiration, ethical challenges and exciting ideological
debate among our UU colleagues. We have found friends and soul mates
here. We can be honest here, find loving support here, give our
best here, and discover what our lives are all about here. If you
join us, and give us your best, you can expect to find important
elements here of what you have been looking for all your lives.
Membership in our congregation
is made by the simple act of signing the Membership Book. When you
are ready, you sign an Intent to Join form. There is a brief
signing ceremony after the Service, on the third Sunday of each
month. What does membership mean in our congregation?
What
Does Membership Mean?
First: That you
feel at home among us and believe that our church is a good
place for you to grow spiritually and ethically. That it can
become one of your chosen places to nurture your best self and
to help to create a healthier community and a better world.
That our churchs Spoken Affirmation and Mission Statement
and the UUAs Principles and Purposes [all of which are
found on each Sundays Order of Service] reflect your beliefs
and are comfortable affirmations for you.
Second: That you
will endeavor to participate as regularly and fully as your
life allows.
Third: That you will
commit yourself on an annual basis to sharing your time, skills,
and attention to our community, enthusiastically giving service
among us, beyond simply meeting your personal needs within our
community.
Fourth: That you
will commit yourself on an annual basis to a generous financial
contribution, knowing that this religious community depends
upon the predictable generosity of its members.
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