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.
- You are supported in your personal search for truth and meaning
- You are welcome here, whoever you are
- You are invited to join with others to pursue peace and justice
At MVUUF, we are working on transforming ourselves, our community, and our world.
You may be wondering:
What is Unitarian Universalism?
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.
What is your youth religious program?
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:
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
Where is MVUUF located?
MVUUF at St. John's United Church of Christ
515 E. Third Street, Dayton, OH 45402
Ph: 937-436-3628
admin@mvuuf.org
Parking:
Free parking is available in the side and far-rear parking lots of St. John's. On Sundays, the side parking lot is reserved for congregants with mobility challenges. Please enter the building using our main entrance on Third Street. This front entrance is equipped with a ramp and wheelchair/scooter lift.
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What are the upcoming services?
Please view our calendar.
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.
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Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship • www.mvuuf.org • Facebook @MVUUF
“A welcoming, supportive community dedicated to spiritual growth and healing in the world.”
Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship