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These are specific FAQ for people who plan to visit us.
We have another page for general questions
about Unitarian Universalists. There is some overlap.
If you plan to visit, you may wonder:
If you still have questions, you may ask via an e-mail to our
Web Wizard, whose address is in the bottom of the navigation bar
to your left.
What do adults wear?
You are welcome to come in whatever makes you comfortable. If
you are a gentleman who feels most comfortable when he looks like
the rest of the guys, then navy blue Dockers and a dress shirt
(no tie) will put you right in the middle of the crowd. Most, not
all, of our ladies wear a dress or dressy pants and a nice blouse.
On any given Sunday at least six men and women will be in jeans
and two men will be in a coat and tie.
What do children wear?
Children will be fine in sneakers and jeans. They will probably spend
part of the Religious Education class sitting in a circle on a carpet,
and another working with paste, glue, paint or crayons. They play in
our back yard, on the swing set and tree house, for half an hour.
When do you meet?
Sunday mornings; the exact time varies with the season:
One service, at 10:00 am, May 30 - September 5, 2010.
Two services, at 9:30 and 11:00 am, starting September 12, 2010.
Is your church accessible to people in wheelchairs?
Yes. Three of our most faithful members use wheelchairs. All of our
buildings and one bathroom are accessible.
Do you have a hearing assistance system?
Yes. We have installed an induction loop amplifier to help people with hearing
loss. Just ask for a personal hearing assistance device from one of the ushers.
This device fits over your ear and will broadcast the service to you. If you
wear a hearing aid with a "T" or telephone setting, set your aid to it and the
service will be broadcast directly to you.
What do children do during the service?
We provide childcare for children under five. Children five and older
usually stay for the first part of the service, then go to their
Religious Education classes. Please see our
Children's
page for more details.
May our child stay with us during the service?
Of course.
We have "kid kits" - bags with crayons, paper and
such, so the small people can amuse themselves quietly
while the big people talk. One of the ushers should
be able to find one for you.
Where are you?
We're at 2172 Kiernan Avenue, 3 miles east of Highway 99.
It is 15 - 20 minutes from most of Modesto. The
Map and directions
page has complete details.
What goes on during the worship services?
We usually have hymns, readings and a sermon, much like a liberal
protestant church. Here is a typical
Order of Service if you are curious.
What can I expect the first time I visit?
You get a special parking space, a name tag and a cup of coffee.
Read more.
How do I become a member?
Most people attend for 3 - 6 months before they join. We ask you to attend
an orientation meeting or have a conference
with our minister, too. Then, if you decide to join us, you sign the membership
book. It is as simple as that; and as difficult as living up to the
four expectations we have of our members -- regular attendance, financial
support, volunteering at church and a commitment to ongoing spiritual
growth. Read more.
Why would I want to become a member?
There are as many reasons as there are members. You may enjoy
Why I finally joined a church on Salon.com, by Jane Roper. (Opens new window.)
She starts: "I was a religious skeptic who bristled at joining a community. But
two things changed that: My kids . . .". Note that Ms. Roper leaves near Boston.
This was an excellent piece in a national magazine, not a testimonial from one
of our members.
Do you have a lot of gay and lesbian members?
More than some churches, less than others.
About a dozen of our
135
members are GLBT.
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Why are there almond blossoms in your heading?
Our church is in the country, surrounded by acres of almond orchards.
We own about an acre of almonds ourselves.
For about two weeks in February, we have fragrant white clouds
around us. The photo on your left is our administration building
and one of our trees.
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Where did the epigrams come from?
We found many of them on "The Wayside Pulpit", a web page the UUA used to have,
but has broken up and hidden.
We found some on
Quote Garden.
We wrote a few ourselves.
What epigrams?
The ones in the blue dividing line at the top of some pages.
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