What should I wear?

Please wear whatever makes you comfortable. Men generally wear casual pants and sometimes jeans. Ties are rarely seen. Women wear dresses/skirts or pants. Children should wear comfortable clothes, such as jeans and sneakers. After their religious education class, which sometimes involves "messy" crafts projects, children may want to enjoy our playground.

When does the service start?

From September through June, the service begins at 11. In July and August, it starts at 10:30. It usually lasts from 60 to 75 minutes.

Where do I park?

We have a large parking lot, accessible off Johnson Street between Greene & Wayne Avenues (view the map). There is also parking on Lincoln Drive, which runs in front of the church. On Sundays, courtyard parking at the Lincoln Drive entrance is reserved for handicapped parking.

The main entrance to the sanctuary is on Lincoln Drive. If coming from the parking lot, you will see a sidewalk path that leads you along the side of the church to the main entrance on Lincoln Drive. Members and regular friends frequently enter through the "back door," but this might be confusing for a new visitor.

What happens during the worship service?

You will be greeted by ushers who will give you an order of service and who can answer any questions you might have.

Our Sanctuary, build in 1928, reflects our Protestant heritage. The chancel (altar) is at the front, and the congregation sits in pews, facing the pulpit. When you enter the sanctuary, you may find people singing various songs and hymns or talking to nearby friends.

More information on the service can be found on the Sunday Services page.

After the service, most people stay for awhile for refreshments and conversation in our Dining Room. You will see a "visitors' information" table, where you can pick up information about UUism and about USG. There will be someone there to answer your questions and to introduce you to some members of our congregation.

Tours of the congregation building are also offered after service.

What are the sermons like?

Our sermons may be unlike what you grew up with, since we don't try to tell anyone exactly what to think or do. They strive to offer personal and thought-provoking ideas on a topic so that you can determine your own beliefs about it. Sermons are offered by our minister, church members, or expert guests. 

Can I bring my children?

Both you and your children are very welcome. Our religious education program is often why people first come to USG. Its goal is to "facilitate ethical and spiritual development in our children so that they will be empowered to become free-thinking individuals who know and respect themselves and others, contribute to their human and natural communities, and make informed decisions regarding their spiritual paths." If you would like your children to visit Church School, it is helpful to come a half-hour before the service and visit our Religious Education office.

Each Sunday, families begin together in the Sanctuary. Some Sundays, there is a Story for All Ages related to the sermon topic, other weeks there is special music, a conversation with our minister, or a collection for a charitable organization in our community. About 15 minutes into the service, children are dismissed to their religious education programming. If you are not able to go to the Religious Education office before the service, you may choose to accompany your child to their classroom (classrooms and lesson topics are listed on the back of the Order of Service each week), so they know they are where they belong and you know where they are. Teacher, other parents or the Director of Faith Development can help you get them to their classes. One Sunday a month is dedicated to social action as a way to teach children ways to "live their faith." Children in preschool through grade 8 participate in projects that help our church and community. If they prefer to stay in the service with you, there are ideas for engaging youngsters during the service on cards in the pews.

On a few special Sundays, we have Intergenerational Worship during which children and their families attend for the entire hour. Activity packets are available from the ushers on these occasions.

We provide childcare for children under two. Childcare is located in the Bristol Room at the rear of the Santuary, downstairs, below the Narthex. Should a problem arise, one of the childcare assistants will come to find you in the Sanctuary. If your children stay with you in the Sanctuary and they become restless, there is a small room off the foyer at the rear of the Sanctuary. There are rocking chairs and toys available, as well as a speaker so the parents can still hear the service.

Will I be welcome?

Yes, absolutely. We believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every person and in acceptance of one another and encouragement to the spiritual growth of all. We have members who are rich and poor, black and white, young and old, heterosexual, gay and transgendered. Our members come from many different occupations, cultural heritages, and religious backgrounds.

What if I'm part of an interfaith family?

Many USG families embrace more than one religion and specifically choose our church because we honor and celebrate many religious traditions.

Will I be welcome if I'm agnostic or atheist?

You are welcome. Within our membership are agnostics, atheists, humanists, theists, Buddhists, people who follow the earth-based religions and scientists. We give people a safe place to explore and grow spiritually, wherever they start from and wherever they journey. We provide religious education for their children, teaching them how to make informed and ethical choices. We provide a larger forum for making a difference in the world through social action. And we provide a vibrant social community.

Will I be pressured to join or convert?

We do try to be friendly. We do not ask visitors to join our church right away. We believe that you should take the time to see whether we are a good fit and to consider our covenant. Membership conveys certain privileges, such as voting rights, and responsibilities, such as involvement and financial support, but there are a number of congregants who are very active in the life of our community but who have never signed the membership book.

What holidays are celebrated?

We celebrate many of the great religious holidays in some way that speaks to the UU faith, including Easter, Passover, Summer and Winter Solstices, Day of the Dead, Chanukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa.