Visitor Information & Common Questions​

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What should I expect on Sunday mornings?

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Expect a friendly welcome. This is an open beloved community and you are welcome here.

People wear whatever they feel comfortable wearing, from “Sunday best,” to dressy casual, to jeans, to bike shorts.

One other thing you might expect is that, because we are in the middle of a neighborhood, you'll be parking on the street, which might mean that it will take a few extra minutes.

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Is everyone welcome at UUSM?

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We welcome all diversities of age, race, religious and ethnic origin, economic situation, sexual orientation, gender identity, and  ability. You are welcome wherever you are on life's journey.

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What are services like at UUSM?

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Every week, we have some unique parts of the service, but you can generally count on announcements, chalice lighting, good music, a time for all ages, meditative moments, and inspiration. Some people call it a Sunday reset. No matter what your week has been like, coming together in community on Sundays is a positive reset.

 

Do you have activities for children? 

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Yes! We offer Religious Exploration (RE) programs for preschoolers through high schoolers. 

Occasionally, we have a service where children are invited to stay for the whole service, but all the rest of the Sundays, we offer R.E. classes during the worship services. Children start the service in the sanctuary with their parents. After "A Time for All Ages," we sing the children out to go to their RE classes.

Sometimes parents like to accompany their very small children to RE. That's great if you want to do that and it's great if you don't. 

We welcome parent volunteers for our RE program.

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How do I become a member of UUSM?

 

Talk to Jac Brennan, UUSM Connections, or to the minister. 

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I have more questions. Who should I ask?

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You can attend a Newcomer Circle or arrange a one-on-one meeting, on zoom or in person, with Connections by emailing connections@uusanmateo.org. 

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Is Unitarian Universalism new?

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Our faith, Unitarian Universalism, grew out of two separate denominations – Unitarianism and Universalism – both of which have long heritages stretching back to the 1600s after the Reformation. Joined together as Unitarian Universalism in the United States and Canada in 1961, we are still greatly influenced by the belief in universal love from the Universalists, freedom of thought from the Unitarians, and the civic and ethical commitments of both movements. Learn more about Unitarian Universalists.

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Today, we include wisdom from many traditions and sources, including lessons taught by all major world religions, including Judaism and American Buddhism, transformational civic leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr, science, earth spirituality, and humanism. Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion that keeps an open mind to the religious questions people have struggled with through the ages and an open heart to supporting each other and all people on our shared journey through life. Learn more about Unitarian Universalist beliefs.