Visitors

welcome visitors

Are you new here?

Whether you come to us from another faith tradition, no faith tradition at all, or out of sheer curiosity, we’re glad you found us. We hope to greet you in person soon.

At MVUUF, we are working on transforming ourselves, our community, and our world.

You may be wondering:

We are Unitarian Universalists by Marta Flanagan

Are you looking for a religious home?


Unitarian Universalists say:
  • “I want a religion that respects the differences between people and affirms every person as an individual.”
  • “I want a church that values children, that welcomes them on their own terms-a church they are eager to attend on Sunday morning.”
  • “I want a congregation that cherishes freedom and encourages open dialogue on questions of faith, one in which it is okay to change your mind.”
  • “I want a religious community that affirms spiritual exploration and reason as ways of finding truth.”
  • “I want a church that acts locally and thinks globally on the great issues of our time-world peace; women’s rights; racial justice; homelessness; gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender rights; and protection of the environment.”

What We Believe

Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion born of the Jewish and Christian traditions. We keep our minds open to the religious questions people have struggled with in all times and places. We believe that personal experience, conscience, and reason should be the final authorities in religion. In the end religious authority lies not in a book, person, or institution, but in ourselves. We put religious insights to the test of our hearts and minds. We uphold the free search for truth. We will not be bound by a statement of belief. We do not ask anyone to subscribe to a creed. We say ours is a noncreedal religion. Ours is a free faith. We believe that religious wisdom is ever changing. Human understanding of life and death, the world and its mysteries, is never final. Revelation is continuous. We celebrate unfolding truths known to teachers, prophets, and sages throughout the ages. We affirm the worth of all women and men. We believe people should be encouraged to think for themselves. We know people differ in their opinions and lifestyles, and we believe these differences generally should be honored. We seek to act as a moral force in the world, believing that ethical living is the supreme witness of religion. The here and now and the effects our actions will have on future generations deeply concern us. We know that our relationships with one another, with diverse peoples, races, and nations, should be governed by justice, equity, and compassion.

We Celebrate

Each Unitarian Universalist congregation is involved in many kinds of programs. Worship is held regularly, the insights of the past and present are shared with those who will create the future, service to the community is undertaken, and friendships are made. A visitor to a Unitarian Universalist congregation will very likely find events and activities such as church school, daycare centers, lectures and forums, support groups, family events, adult education classes, and study groups-all depending on the needs and interests of the local members. Each Unitarian Universalist congregation is the fulfillment of a long heritage that goes back hundreds of years to courageous people who struggled for freedom in thought and faith. On this continent we include the Massachusetts settlers and the founders of the republic. Outstanding Unitarians and Universalists include John Adams, Clara Barton, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Susan B. Anthony, Adlai Stevenson, Eliot Richardson, and Whitney Young. Not as famous but equally worthy are the thousands of men and women in our congregations leading vital, dedicated, and useful lives. Our congregations are self-governing. Authority and responsibility are vested in the membership of the congregation. Each local congregation, called a church, society, or fellowship, adopts its own bylaws, elects its own officers, and approves its budget. Every member is encouraged to take part in church or fellowship activities.

We Unite

More than one thousand congregations make up the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), which represents our interests on a continental scale. The UUA grew out of the consolidation, in 1961, of two religious denominations, the Universalists, organized in 1793, and the Unitarians, organized in 1825. (See the UU Historical Society) The UUA provides resources and offers consultations to local congregations, creates religious education curricula, spurs social action efforts, expedites the settlement of professional religious leaders, supports Beacon Press, and produces pamphlets, devotional materials, and the bimonthly journal the UU World. The UUA works in concert with many other Unitarian Universalist organizations, the largest of which is the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC). Since its early work aiding victims of Nazi oppression, the UUSC has been helping people help themselves through service and advocacy programs around the world. The Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation, an independent membership organization, represents, organizes, and acts on the concerns and issues of importance to UU women across the continent. Another related organization is the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Larger Fellowship, which provides a ministry to geographically isolated religious liberals.
At MVUUF, Children and Youth Religious Education (CYRE) includes regular Sunday classes as well as periodic extra programs such as Our Whole Lives (OWL) comprehensive sexuality education classes and classes that help children and youth explore their personal faith formation.

CYRE also hosts fun special events throughout the year like a Halloween celebration, Holiday craft-making afternoon, and an Easter Egg hunt. Stay up to date with announcements about upcoming classes, special events, and more by learning how to stay connected to CYRE. All children and youth attending CYRE classes must register. Visitors may use the guest registration form; however, after three visits, please complete the full registration form (called “MVUUF Youth Religious Education Registration (2020-21)”). Registration helps us learn names, track attendance, plan for activities, and accommodate any special needs.

Our CYRE program evolves as new families join us. Our children are also continuously growing, learning, and teaching us what it truly means to live our seven UU Principles:

  • Respect the importance and value of every person
  • Offer fair and kind treatment to everyone
  • Yes to spiritual growth and learning together
  • Grow by exploring ideas and finding your truth
  • Believe in our ideals and voice your vote
  • Insist on justice, freedom, and peace for all
  • Value our responsibility in the web of life
Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
8690 Yankee StreetDayton, Ohio 45458

Ph: 937-436-3628
Fax: 937-436-3629


Directions:
If traveling SOUTH on I-675, take Exit 2 (Miamisburg-Centerville Road), turn left (south) at the light, which is YANKEE STREET.

If traveling NORTH on 675, take Exit 2 (Miamisburg-Centerville Road), turn right at the end of the ramp (SR 725/Miamisburg-Centerville Road), take the first right (south), which is YANKEE STREET.

We are about 0.3 of a mile beyond (south of) the Lyons Road intersection, on the left (east side).



What to Expect on Sunday

Visitors and guests are welcome to visit us at every worship service or event. During this time of COVID-19 we are currently closed to in-person events, but hold many events online.

For more personalized information, we invite you to contact Lathe Snyder at lathe.snyder @ gmail.com. He would love to talk with you about our community and help you connect to our events and activities. You may also communicate with us by completing our Visitor Form located here .

On the third Sunday of the month, we offer a Welcome Session following our service. This is a great opportunity to learn more about our fellowship and Unitarian Universalism.

INFORMATION THAT APPLIES WHEN WE MEET IN PERSON AGAIN
As you arrive: When you enter,  look for the volunteer Greeters who will be standing to the right as you enter.

They will offer you a paper name tag, ask you to sign the guest book, and orient you to the  facilities.

All children and youth begin in the service. They are welcome to attend the entire Sunday service or to participate in age-specific programming. There is a time designated in the order of service when the children leave together with their teachers for religious education classes.

There is child care for very young children. The Greeters will help you meet the religious education staff and find the appropriate places for your children.

There will be ushers at the doors of the sanctuary to give you the Order of Service, hymnal, and any other information you might need.

It’s fine if you wish to chat with the greeters and ushers or to slip by quietly to find a seat. There is open seating so find a place that feels comfortable.

What to wear: As you prepare for the visit, wear what you please. You’ll see the full range of dress from “Sunday best ” to jeans. Most of us dress for comfort.

During the service: The Order of Service will tell you when to sing. So will the worship leader (“Please rise, as you are able, for the first hymn, number 123”). If there’s a reading the congregation will say together, you’ll be told where it’s found.  We do not ask visitors to introduce themselves during the service.

Accessibility: Since there are moveable chairs, there is plenty of space for wheelchairs, canes, and walkers. Assistive listening devices, as well as large print and Braille hymnals are available. Just ask the ushers for any of these as you enter.

Social Hour: Following the service, everyone joins in the Gathering Space (entry) for coffee, tea, and conversation. This is when members and visitors can get to know one another better. The people with blue mugs are particularly knowledgeable if you’d like to learn more about the congregation and Unitarian Universalism in an informal atmosphere.

What We Affirm

  • Believing in the inherent worthiness of every person.
  • Showing compassion and fairness towards all people.
  • Accepting others for who and what they are.
  • Growing through a supported search for personal truth.
  • Applying the democratic process in our churches and communities.
  • Building a global community founded on peace, liberty, and justice.
  • Respecting the interwoven nature of the universe.

A Welcoming Congregation

As a Welcoming Congregation, we actively welcome LGBTQ people as full participants in the life of the church. We are committed to a focus on the theme of Side with Love in our congregational life and our advocacy in the larger community.

Visitor Form

Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship • 8690 Yankee Rd. Dayton, OH 45458 • www.mvuuf.com • Facebook @MVUUF

Visitor Form

Monthly Welcome Session

Once a month, we offer a Welcome Session immediately after the service. This is a great opportunity to meet our minister, Rev. Kellie Kelly, and learn more about our fellowship and Unitarian Universalism.
 
Check our MVUUF Calendar for this month's date and Zoom Access info: https://mvuuf.org/calendar-of-events
 
We are so happy you are here!

“A welcoming, supportive community dedicated to spiritual growth and healing in the world.”

Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

:heart:**SUNDAY SERVICE**:heart:
The service this Sunday will be multi-platform (online and in-person). If you are joining us by Zoom, you may use the blue button to join us live at 11 AM!
:heart:**SUNDAY SERVICE**:heart:
The service this Sunday will be multi-platform (online and in-person). If you are joining us by Zoom, you may use the blue button to join us live at 11 AM!
Watch Live! Watch Live!
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