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How
do I get there?
The address is 213 Second Street East in Saskatoon. Here's a  map
- click on the map to zoom in and out.
Bus route 11 (Airport-Exhibition)
stops 1½ blocks away at Second Street and Lorne Avenue, at
stop numbers 3897
(southbound) and 3898
(northbound). Click on the stop number to find the next bus. Here
is the bus schedule in PDF form for route 11.
What
do Unitarian Universalists believe?
Unitarian Universalists believe a wide variety of things. You will
find UU Buddhists, Taoists, Christians, Agnostics, Atheists, as well
as people who have trouble classifying their beliefs. What we have
in common are our
seven principles, which we all agree to, and the desire for
a church community where we can be accepted regardless of what we
believe.
Will
I fit in?
The worth and dignity of every person is one of our
seven principles. We welcome people of all races, ages, gender,
sexual orientation, and abilities.
What
kind of people come to UCS?
You'll find a wide variety of people at UCS. We talk about diversity
a lot, and strive to welcome it. Many of our members are people who
have attended another church and found the community valuable but
weren't able to accept the beliefs. We have a reasonably strong Wiccan
and Buddhist presence, and a lot of members who do not believe in
a God at all. There is a much stronger LGBT presence here than you
will find in most congregations--same sex couples generally feel very
comfortable in our community.
Acceptance is very important
to our membership. People who feel that their way is right and are
determined to save or convince others would probably feel uncomfortable
here.
What
provisions do you have for people with disabilities?
Our main floor is completely wheelchair accessible, and our chapel
is accessible for people in wheelchairs via a small lift. We have
headsets for people with hearing difficulties in the chapel.
What
should I wear? What should my children wear?
You should wear whatever you are most comfortable in. Most people
dress casually (jeans are fine), but some people dress up. Your children
should wear something they can play in.
Is there
childcare and/or Sunday School? What is taught?
We have a program for all ages--from our nursery to our youth
group. We hire a part time Director of Religious Education, who oversees
our children's program. See our RE
page for more details.
My child
doesn't separate well. Can he/she stay with me during the service?
Absolutely. Many parents, particularly of smaller children, keep
their children with them in the chapel. Many parents also choose to
be in the nursery with their child, in order to help the child adjust
and also to have a chance to chat with other parents. You are also
welcome to breastfeed anywhere in our building or at our events. You
are encouraged to do whatever works for your family.
How
do you worship together if you don't all believe the same thing?
There are two strategies we use--flexibility and "taking
turns". Flexibility for us means choosing things that can mean
different things to different people. A minute of silence can mean
prayer, meditation, or reflection. Lighting a candle can be spiritual
or social. We also have a wide variety in our services--some are more
tailored to people with a stronger spiritual side, and some are more
academic. This is worth remembering the first few times you come--what
is said from the pulpit often reflects simply the beliefs of that
speaker and may be quite different the following Sunday.
What
goes on during a worship service?
There are always exceptions, but the general format of a service
involves beginning with announcements, some music, and some opening
words. We then light the chalice and will often also have a chance
for people who would like to to light candles for the joys and concerns
of their lives (and say a couple of words if they'd like). We usually
light a candle of global concern for an issue in the world that we'd
like to draw our attention to.
There is almost always
some kind of address--either a talk by a member of the congregation
or the wider community, or a sermon from a minister. We also take
a collection (to which you can choose to donate or not). We tend to
close with a few more words and some more music (which we also use
liberally throughout the service).
Children begin with us
in the chapel one Sunday per month, and on those Sundays we have a
children's story, usually light the children's candles, and often
have some children's music.
Will
I be pressured to join or be saved?
No. The right to a free and independent search for truth and meaning
is one of our
seven principles. Expect people to be friendly--you will likely
be greeted, offered a program and a name tag, and given an opportunity
to sign our guest book. We are not oriented towards spreading our
religion as much as we are towards making it available for people
who are looking for it.
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