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.
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.
Enter the red doors for direct access to the sanctuary. Enter the glass doors to the right for the coffee time or to access the sanctuary via a ramp.
We usually begin our Sunday morning by gathering for a social/coffee time at 10:00 a.m. with our Sunday service at 10:30 a.m. But since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have had to stop our social/coffee time. Now, even though our social/coffee time is still unavailable, our weekly Sunday morning sanctuary services are available again. Click on the link below to see a popup of our Sunday Worship Schedule.
As you enter the sanctuary, greeters will welcome you and give you a bulletin for the service.
Infants, children and youth are welcome in the sanctuary for all services. A self-serve nursery (equipped with pews, a rocking chair and quiet toys) is available in the loft at the rear of the sanctuary for families who may be more comfortable participating in the service in a relaxed setting. Children in the loft should be accompanied by parents at all times.
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
- Story for All Ages
- 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
“The flame has been doused; the fire of our community still burns. In this moment we become beacons on the prairie, bearers of light and warmth until we gather again to rekindle our communal chalice.”
- Closing Words
- Postlude
Unlike most churches, the postlude is NOT a signal to stand and visit with others while you exit. At Nora it is our tradition to wait and listen to the final musical selection our musician has prepared 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. But during the COVID-19 pandemic we have had to put these lunches on hold as well as our morning social/coffee time.
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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