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Welcome
to Channing Memorial Church, a Unitarian Universalist congregation
where the
focus is on the question, not the answer. If you searched and found this
website, you may be looking for a religious community that feels
comfortable
spiritually. If you are also open to being challenged spiritually, we
may be
the place for you. I hope you will keep reading!
Our
roots run deep from the ancient Hebrew tradition through Christianity,
but our
interpretation of the meaning of those roots is wide open. We draw on
wisdom
contained in the myths and traditions of other cultures and religions. Doctrine is not where we begin our search;
personal experience and reason is. We pride ourselves on exploration by
our
members and friends into the meaning, for them, of the “big questions:”
the
existence of God, the nature of humanity, the nature of Christ, the
meaning of
salvation, humanity’s responsibility to work toward peace and justice,
values
and ethics and ethical behavior in a complex world, the reconciliation
of
religion and science. . . and much more.
We
pride ourselves even more on how we go about our individual
explorations even
as we gather in community. It is not easy in a heterogeneous community
like
ours. Some of us are “come-outers” (to use a nineteenth century term!)
from
other Christian denominations. Some of us are from other religions
altogether.
Some of us are life-long or multi-generational Unitarian Universalists.
Some of
us have never before been part of an organized religion and are
learning how to
be part of a religious community for the first time. (There is an old
joke
about Unitarian Universalists being just right for people who have no
interest
in organized religion – we are wonderfully disorganized in some ways!)
The
center of our community is Sunday morning worship. Each week we gather
for
fellowship, prayer, music, silence, and a sermon. My hope is that some
part of
the service each week touches each participant in some deep way.
Perhaps it is
a word of comfort as you face a difficulty; perhaps it is a word of
challenge
that evokes in you a new question. Maybe you need a few moments simply
to be
with others in silence. At another time you might be seeking a little
intellectual stimulation from a sermon. Or maybe just listening to the
chanting
or singing of the choir or congregation, or a special performance by a
guest
musician is what will feed you on a given Sunday.
Sunday
morning is also, of course, when we provide a solid and stimulating
religious
education program for children. Children explore wonder, joy,
celebration,
ritual. They hear myths and stories from many world religions and learn
how to
reflect on their own lives and choices, together. Please visit the
religious
education section of this website for more detail.
Beyond
Sunday worship, we offer other means of companionship on your spiritual
journey. There are adult religious education classes and meditation and
contemplative conversation groups. We regularly socialize together
through
pot-luck meals, picnics, and occasional camping trips. We celebrate
joyous
moments: weddings and unions, births, adoptions, child dedications,
graduations, anniversaries. We pastor to one another in illness, death
and
other difficult life passages.
Please
try us – attend a Sunday service, or a class, or a picnic. I am always
happy to
meet by telephone or in person with anyone who is interested – just
call the
church office (410-203-0474) and leave a message and I will call you
back to
make an appointment.
Peace, grace, and
blessings
on your journey,
Rev. Susan LaMar
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