Visitors and Newcomers

The ministers, staff and members the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis make a special effort to welcome newcomers and help them find ways in which they can participate in the life of the church.

Every Sunday there is a table in the foyer to welcome guests and newcomers. There you will meet a staff coordinator or greeter, who can assist you in finding out more. Guests are encouraged to sign up for the church newsletter, which will be mailed to them for several weeks following their visit.

What Newcomers Want to Know

Are you genuinely welcoming to all people?
Yes! We welcome all people and celebrate diversity.  We value and respect individual differences. We know that families come in all configurations. We are a Welcoming Congregation and we strive to be inclusive and expressive of the concerns of bisexual, gay, lesbian, and/or transgender persons at every level of congregational life—in worship, in program, and in social occasions, welcoming not only their presence but the unique gifts and particularities of their lives as well.

What goes on during the worship service?
Our format may feel familiar, but you may be surprised with the message. We address a wide range of social, ethical, and inter-personal issues from different points of view. And in the end, you are left to make up your own mind. You are not just free to do so; you are responsible to do so.

If it seems unsettling to go to a church which provides more questions than answers, know too that if you invest yourself in our community, you will find a strong network of support from fellow seekers.

Sunday Services involve singing and listening to music, meditations, readings ­ from many source and reflections by our ministers and/or members of the congregation.

The description above is typical, but in no way definitive. Occasionally, we have services led by members or youth of the congregation, or by visiting ministers.  Several times a year the Services feature music and readings by our choir.  Altogether our Sunday Services are a mix of tradition with openness to change. They reflect our acceptance of the joyous and painful mysteries of life, and our unflagging efforts to find meaning.

The Sunday Service lasts about an hour. Afterward we have a social time with coffee and refreshments.

Children should dress so they can actively engage in the program which may include art projects or outdoor activities.

Is there childcare/Sunday school during the church service?
Childcare is available for infants and toddlers.  Children up to 6 grade (or equivalent) remain in the Sanctuary with the adults for the first 15-20 minutes of the service.  Then, they meet in peer groups for about one hour.  Religious Exploration for children addresses matters such as ethical decision making, world religions, and developing a religious identity.  Youth in Grade 7 and up usually go directly to their meeting rooms.

If my child doesn't separate well, can she or he stay with me in the service?
Yes.  Or you may choose to attend the children’s program with your child if that works best at first.

Are there programs for adults in addition to Sunday Services?
We offer a wide range of Adult Religious Enrichment Programs, from courses that provide a framework for those new to the church to intentional journeys toward knowing and understanding our faith and our individual roles in the world.  Covenant Groups, Spiritual Practice Groups and other adult offerings provide opportunities for closer relationships, spiritual deepening, fun and fellowship.

About Our Congregation

We have over 570 members and another 100 plus 'friends' who attend regularly. Two hundred children and youth enrolled in religious education program. Our families are one or two adults, single persons with children, partners with children, grandparents and tribal elders. We are gay, straight, transgendered, and people of many colors.   more info

Becoming a Member

Many people walk through our doors feeling that their life is missing something very important. Once through our doors, they discover what it is they are lacking-belonging to a spiritual community.

Joining the community of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis is not difficult. There is no creed you must recite or swear to. But before you commit yourself to our church, we ask that you learn about our principles and purposes through reading, worship services, The New UU Class; and through discussions with members, the Member Services Coordinator and our ministerial program staff.   more info