Frequently Asked
Questions
The only foolish question is the one not
asked...
Newcomers can occasionally find their
first experience at MUF a bit overwhelming; it's so big, with so many
people, and so much going on! Here is a list of the most common
questions newcomers have. However, this list is by no means
exhaustive! If you have a question that's not on the list, or would like
further clarification of one that is, please feel free to ask.
Questions
about UUs
How
can I learn more about Unitarian Universalism?
Are there any traditions or
rituals that define the
UU experience?
What does the Flaming Chalice
symbolize?
Questions
about our Services and Faith
What are Sunday Services
like?
Does MUF hold Sunday services
during the summer?
What is appropriate dress for
Sunday morning services?
What is a "talk-back"?
Which holidays are celebrated
at MUF? How?
Can an atheist or agnostic fit
into the MUF community?
Questions
about Newcomers and Members
Why am I asked to identify
myself as a "newcomer"?
Are there any restrictions
on what I can do as a "newcomer"?
Why does everyone wear a
nametag? How can I get one?
What is the Welcome
Table?
Do I have to be a member
to participate in activities or join committees?
What is expected of
me if I become a member?
How do I join the
Fellowship?
Questions
about How We Operate
How is the Fellowship
organized?
What are the Fellowship's main
values?
What is taught in the children's
Religious Education (RE) classes?
Is MUF wheelchair
accessible?
Answers about UUs
How can I learn
more about Unitarian Universalism?
The Welcome
Table, near the main entrance in the Great Hall, has several brochures
that explain a bit more about our faith. We have a page on our site that
explains Unitarian Universalism. There is also a wealth of
good information on the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) website
at http://www.uua.org.
Are there any traditions or
rituals that define the UU experience?
While there are
few (if any) hard and fast rules about Unitarian Universalism, there are
several traditions that many UUs share. Here is a sampling:
- Flower Sunday - A "Flower Communion" meant to
symbolize sharing, beauty, and non-materialism. At MUF, it is also a
Rite of Passage for our first and second graders.
- Lighting The Chalice - As a symbol of "bringing
light into the world," we light our chalice at the beginning of each
service. When we blow it out, it is in the hope that we have
"internalized" that light and will take it with us when we go.
What does the Flaming Chalice
symbolize?
Originally designed as a
"logo" for a UU organization (USC) helping people escape Nazi
persecution, the Flaming Chalice serves as a symbol of the sacredness of
light and liberty. On a more symbolic level, the chalice has been
identified as representing nurturing, sustenance and generosity. A flame
traditionally means knowledge, spirituality, vision and power. The exact
meaning of the Flaming Chalice has never been nailed down. Like much in
the UU world, it is left up to the individual to take from this symbol
whatever is most appropriate for their beliefs.
Answers
about our Services and Faith
What are Sunday Services like?
Here at MUF, Sunday
Services are like the weather: if you didn't like it this week, next
week will be something completely different! Seriously, this is a
difficult question because our services ARE very varied. The
services organized by our Sunday Services Committee strive to raise the
spirits and consciousness of the congregation, and may feature talks,
skits, poetry, musical presentations, dance or whatever else the
participants come up with. Topics of our services have ranged from
giving, to reaching out, to death, to discussions of other religious
paths, to how we can make a difference in the world.
Does MUF hold Sunday services during the
summer?
Summer services are usually
held once each Sunday, at 10:00. They are run entirely by volunteers and
tend to be more "relaxed" than those during the rest of the Fellowship
year, but just as fun and interesting.
What
it appropriate dress for Sunday morning services?
We like people to dress
however they feel most comfortable (within reason, of course). Some have
come to services in suits and ties or dresses; some have worn jeans and
t-shirts. Most people tend to dress in the style usually associated with
"business casual": skirt or slacks, khakis and polo-style shirt or
blouse.
What
is a "talk-back"?
Some of the topics raised
at Sunday services raise questions, concerns, interest or ire that
people feel they must express. To facilitate this, some of these
services end with a "talk-back" session, in which the congregation has
the chance to discuss these issues with the presenters.
Which
holidays are celebrated at MUF? How?
MUF
celebrates pretty much every holiday. In the spring, Easter, Passover
and the Vernal Equinox are all honored. In the winter, we celebrate
Yule, Hanukah, Christmas and Kwanzaa. And the holidays in between are
given the same courtesy.
For the most part, Sunday
services tend to pick a central theme that runs through all the holidays
of that time of year, and uses traditions from each holiday to explain
and honor that theme. Often, special services are held in the evening to
focus on one particular holiday (such as our Christmas Eve service and
our celebration of Rosh Hashanah).
Can an
atheist or agnostic fit into the MUF community?
They
can and do. MUF is the home to many atheists and agnostics; several of
them have even presented Sunday morning services on their beliefs.
Furthermore, they have been involved in other services, just like any
other member.
On the (fairly rare)
occasions when "God" is mentioned, it is with the understanding that "we
use words as tools, not dogma." To us, "God" is a shorthand for that
which we find most important. To some, "God" is a Supreme Being. To
others, "God" is the consort to the "Goddess." Still others may view it
as an all-pervading power or force in our Universe. The atheists may
think of it as the best part of each person. Everyone uses the word in a
different way, which is how we prefer it.
Answers
about Newcomers and Members
Why am I asked to identify
myself as a "newcomer"?
In some (i.e., most)
places, the newcomer is left to their own devices and expected to find
their own way. Here at MUF, we prefer to offer a helping hand to those
who are new, and make sure they have as much (or as little) guidance as
they need. To make sure that nobody "slips through the cracks," we ask
the newcomers to introduce themselves so that we can greet them
properly. However, this is totally voluntary, and if someone has a
phobia about speaking in public, they can stay quietly in their seat and
still be welcome at the Fellowship!
Are there any restrictions on what I can do as a
"newcomer"?
For the most part, no.
Non-members are not allowed to vote on the topics that concern the
congregation during our annual meeting. However, they are still welcome
at Sunday Services, work parties, concerts and special programs. Of
course, it is our hope that they will want to become members after they
see everything MUF has to offer!
Why
does everyone wear a nametag? How can I get one?
Nametags are just a way
to make people feel like they belong and to break down some barriers.
They eliminate the awkwardness of seeing someone you spoke to just last
week and forgetting their name. And since newcomers' name tags are a
different color than members' tags, they make newcomers stand out so we
can greet them.
Nametags can be obtained at
the Welcome Table in three forms. Nametag stickers are available for
visitors who will only be coming once (for instance, people who live in
another state but are travelling in the area this week). Regular
newcomer nametags can be made on the spot by writing your name on the
card and putting it in the badge plate. These are kept waiting for the
person next week, and are for people considering becoming members or
making a full-time commitment to MUF. Once such a commitment is made,
the newcomer can order a permanent, calligraphic nametag, like those
worn by our members.
What is the Welcome Table?
Pretty much what the name
implies: a table, set up in the Great Hall, which serves as a "base"
from which we welcome people (especially newcomers) as they walk in the
door. Newcomers may stop by to have any questions answered, to get a
nametag and fill out a survey card, and to pick up some literature
(including our latest newsletter). Come by before our regular 9:00
am service or in between regular services (between about 10:15 and 11:00
am).
Do I have to be a member to participate in
activities or join committees?
No. Only members are
allowed to sit on the Board of Directors, of course, but we've had
non-members involved in many other committees. It is our hope, of
course, that anyone who supports us enough to work on a committee will
want to join us as a member.
What is expected of me if I become a
member?
All
members are asked to make a financial pledge to the Fellowship to help
support the important ministries we do. Furthermore, while it is not a
requirement, we strongly urge members to find a committee that speaks to
their souls and get involved in its work.
Like many groups, MUF has
people who are "card-carrying" members and nothing more. However,
membership in our Fellowship is one of those things where the more
you put in, the more you get out (as cliched as that may sound).
How do
I join the Fellowship?
All potential members are
asked to attend a few services and/or activities, to be sure you feel at
home here. If so, you'll need to meet with our minister
for a brief discussion about their intentions and desires for
membership. After that, all you have to do is sign the Membership Book,
and you will be a member of the Fellowship.
Answers
about How We Operate
How is the Fellowship organized?
Some
would jokingly suggest that organization in a UU congregation is an
oxymoron! Despite this notion, however, MUF has a sound structure. Our
minister leads the attempts to tend to the spiritual and educational
needs of our members. She has other professionals helping her, including
the Director of Religious Education and the Music Director. Other
volunteers, including the Caring Committee, also work with this
team.
The day-to-day and
long-term planning for the Fellowship's governance is the duty of the
Executive Board, which is lead by the President. These five offices are
all elected positions, with two-year terms. Supporting the Board is our
eight-person Board of Trustees, which oversees the property of the
Fellowship. There are also numerous committees at work here, such as the
Grounds Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Building
Committee.
Naturally, all of the positions are ultimately answerable
to the members of the Congregation. Major issues (such as annual
budgets) are voted on by the Fellowship at our regular meetings. For
more information on these individuals and groups, see the Committees page and the
Congregational Leaders
page.
What are the Fellowship's main values?
These are best stated in
the Mission and
Covenant Statement and Congregational Goals. In a nutshell, however
these are the values MUF strives to promote and live by: unity,
acceptance, generosity, nurturing of self and others, and spiritual
growth.
What is taught in the children's Religious Education
(RE) classes?
Since our RE program ranges
from 6 months to 18 years old, it is hard to answer this question
simply; it is best answered on the RE pages. However, the main goal
of the program is to provide a safe place for our children to study
age-appropriate material so that they can formulate their own beliefs.
They begin with simple play and stories for the youngest of the group.
As they get older, they will learn more about the history and values of
the UU faith, as well as exploring religions of the world. Finally, in
their teen years they will delve into the life issues they are currently
dealing with, as well as reaching out to others by working in a local
Soup Kitchen and helping Habitat for Humanity build a house for an
underprivileged family.
Is MUF wheelchair
accessible?
Partly. While the age and
style of the building did not take wheelchairs into account, MUF has
strived to make our home open to all. There is a ramp on the main
entrance to enable wheelchair access to the first floor. Due to the
"3-tiered" nature of the Meeting Hall, access there is limited to the
top tier. We hope to modify our facility to have more accessibility in
the future.
Common Definitions and
Abbreviations
DRE - Director of
Religious Education - The person responsible for overseeing the
ministry of our Religious Education classes.
GA - General
Assembly - The annual meeting of the congregations of the
Unitarian Universalist Association, where policies are discussed and
voted on by member delegates.
MUF - Morristown
Unitarian Fellowship - A friendly Unitarian Universalist
congregation in Morristown, New Jersey.
OWL - "OUUr Whole Lives"
curriculum - A part of the Religious Education program for
Junior High School students, OWL deals with human sexuality from a UU
perspective, with the emphasis being placed on communication skills,
relationships, attitudes, openness and accurate information.
RE - Religious
Education - A series of classes held at MUF on Sunday mornings.
These classes offer safety and knowledge to our younger members, from
birth through high school graduation.
UU - Unitarian
Universalist - Both our faith and the people who belong to
it.
UUA - Unitarian
Universalist Association - A central body of Unitarian
Universalist congregations, offering support to its members.
UUSC - Unitarian
Universalist Service Committee - A UUA affiliate that offers
counseling services to UU members at reduced fees.