What to expect when you visit Nora UU Church

Nora Unitarian Universalist Church is a liberal congregation with Christian roots. In keeping with the church’s commitment to freedom of individual belief, no creedal test is required of those seeking membership. Here at Nora, for example, we embrace Christian morals and ethics without necessarily believing in the deity of Jesus, or even the existence of a God. A traditional view of Jesus and the divine, other beliefs, and non-beliefs are equally respected.

The Sunday morning starts with friends and visitors gathering for a 10:00 coffee time before the service.

At about 10:25 a small bell is rung to signal the call to service.

As you enter the sanctuary, greeters will welcome you and give you a bulletin for the service.

Our order of service, which may vary slightly from week to week, will be familiar to those accustomed to Protestant worship services.  It typically includes such elements as:

• Silent Gathering
• Ringing of the Steeple Bell (signals the beginning of the service)
• Musical Prelude
• Welcome & Announcements
• Opening Words & Chalice Lighting
• Hymns
• Readings from Ancient and Modern Sources
• Responsive Readings
• Sharing of Joys & Sorrows
  All are welcome to light a candle and share a joy or sorrow, appropriate to the worship setting.
• Offertory
• Congregational Response
• Meditation: Spoken & Silent
• Message
  This may be a sermon prepared by our minister, or a presentation by a guest speaker.
• Closing Song
• Extinguishing the Chalice
  “We extinguish this flame but not the light of truth, the warmth of community, or the fire of commitment. These we carry in our hearts until we are together again.”
• Closing Words
• Postlude
  Unlike most churches, the postlude is NOT a signal to stand and visit with others while you exit. Here at Nora it is our tradition to wait and listen to the final musical selection our musician has prepared for us and then show our appreciation. Then we make our exit.

Our minister (or service leader and guest speaker) look forward to greeting you after the service. Others will be eager to make you welcome as well.

Usually there is a potluck lunch following the service on the first Sunday of each month.
We welcome visitors!

Please join us and share our search for a thoughtful religious experience and social comittment in this beautiful setting.

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