Frequently Asked Questions
What time is your service?
We have our "regular" CELEBRATION OF LIFE service at 8:45 and 11:15 each Sunday morning. In the summer we hold our RELIGIOUS ODYSSEY program at 10:00 a.m. The FORUM is 10:00 to 10:50 Sunday mornings September through May.
What do people wear to this church?
You may dress up or dress casually. People wear whatever makes them feel
comfortable on the occasion. For Sunday services, adults wear everything
from suits to jeans. Children are encouraged to wear clothes appropriate
to the activities in which they will be engaged.
What do children do during the services?
Children are invited to attend Sunday School
at 11:15 am. At 10:00am children from 3-18 attend an activity hour.
Younger children will do a creative project. Older youth will be engaged
with a service activity. See the Religious Education page for more information.
May my child stay with me during the service?
Certainly, although we ask that you be considerate of others if your child becomes restless.
Is childcare available?
Yes, nursery care is available during all services for infant to 3 yr olds. We have a church school program at 11:15 am with supervised activities at 10:00am for kids 3-18.
How do I get there?
All Souls is located at 4501 Walnut Street, one block east of the intersection
of 45th and Main Streets, just east of the Country Club Plaza. See
map and parking information. If you need further directions, call the
church at 816-531-2131, or use Mapquest.com.
Will I be welcomed in this congregation?
Yes, everyone is welcome, whatever your age, ethnicity, race, sex, affectional or sexual orientation, physical challenge, religion, business connections, or political affiliation.
Is your church accessible to the disabled?
Yes. See our Access page for information on the accommodations we have available.
Do members of the congregation have varied beliefs?
Yes, diversity is common among Unitarian Universalists (UUs), and this church includes people with all manner of beliefs. We have Buddhist UUs, Christian UUs, humanists, Jewish UUs, pagans, agnostics, and atheists, to name just some of the beliefs held. We are united by our belief in the importance of accepting one another and encouraging spiritual development, guided by freedom, reason and conscience.
What do the members of this church have in common?
One of things we do every Sunday is say the following covenant: "Goodwill is the spirit of this church, and service is its law. This is our great covenant: to dwell together in peace, to seek the truth in love, and to help one another."
What goes on during the Sunday worship/religious services?
After special announcements, visitors are invited to introduce themselves
and members may introduce their guests. Music is spread throughout the service,
some performed by a choir, or special musical guests, and some hymns are
sung by the congregation -- see below. The chalice is lit. The heart of
the service is usually the readings and sermon by the minister or guest
preacher. An offering, to support the work of the church, is a part of each
service.
Conover Cafe is open from 8:30 - 12:45 every
Sunday Morning. We gather here to stregthen our sense of community and enjoy
refreshments and conversation.
What's the music like at the worship services?
Most regulars at All Souls think that the music is a strength in our worship.
Our music director, plays on one of the finest pianos in the city, and directs
a wonderful choir which sings about twice a month. We frequently bring in
outstanding guest artists to perform; often the guests are members of the
congregation. The music ranges from classical or jazz to popular songs or
folk music, and is sometimes originally composed for the occasion. The UU
hymnal we use, Singing the Living Tradition, contains a wealth of music,
poetry, wisdom, and beauty from many traditions and throughout the world.
Are there other services besides the 8:45 and 11:15 am Sunday services?
The Forum, on Sundays at 10:00 am, September through May, provides a platform for the discussion of significant issues, especially those that involve ethical values in the modern world. It is usually in a lecture format, followed by a question and answer period. In the summer, Religious Odysseys replace the UU Forum at 10:00 am. Each week, a member of the church presents the story of her or his spiritual journey.
What's the mission of All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church?
As a noncreedal church in the liberal religious tradition, All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church is both a community and a movement. As a community, we invite people of diverse beliefs to come together, inspired by the values of mutual care and respect, intellectual and spiritual inquiry, and social and environmental responsibility. As a movement, we seek to propagate these values in the larger communities -- local, state, national, and global -- of which we are a part.
Do Unitarian Universalists pray?
There is a wide variety of approaches to prayer: some would respond "no" to this question. Others believe that their acts for justice, or with compassion, are a form of prayer, while others have a more commonly-accepted notion of prayer and meditation.
What are the origins of Unitarian Universalism?
As Mark Harris says in his pamphlet "Unitarian Universalism: Our Historic
Faith,"
"Unitarians and Universalists have always been heretics. We are heretics
because we want to choose our faith, not because we desire to be rebellious.
'Heresy' in Greek means 'choice'. During the first three centuries of the
Christian church, believers could choose from a variety of tenets about
Jesus. Among these was a belief that Jesus was an entity sent by god on
a divine mission. Thus the word 'Unitarian' developed, meaning the oneness
of God. Another religious choice in the first three centuries of the Common
Era (CE) was universal salvation. This was the belief that no person would
be condemned by God to eternal damnation in a fiery pit. Thus a Universalist
believed that all people will be saved. Christianity lost its element of
choice in 325 CE when the Nicene Creed established the Trinity as dogma.
For centuries thereafter, people who professed Unitarian or Universalist
beliefs were persecuted." Unitarians and Universalists were part of
the reformation in the 16th Century. In America, UUs trace their roots to
some of the earliest settlers.
The denominations of Unitarianism and Universalism merged in 1961, and the
Unitarian Universalist Association was formed. UUs have been active in the
civil rights movement, and continue to work today for greater racial and
cultural diversity. The denomination affirms the rights of bisexuals, gays,
lesbians, and transgender persons, including ordaining and settling gay
and lesbian clergy in its congregations, and in 1996, it affirmed same-sex
marriage.
What is required to become a member of All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church?
Our constitution requires that you: be at least 14 years of age, be in sympathy with the aims of the society, and have a written registration of membership approved by the Board of Trustees. The bylaws state that no test of creed, of faith, of national origin, of race or color, of gender, of affectional or sexual orientation, of physical challenge, or other similar tests, shall be imposed as a condition of membership.
Do you have an orientation session for people who want to become members?
Yes, we hold an Exploring Membership class for prospective members quarterly. During these sessions, some history of All Souls is shared, along with some history of the denomination, opportunities for connection and contribution at All Souls, and the religious histories of the participants. While attendence at the Exploring Membership class is not mandatory - we strongly encourage newcomers to attend.
How do you welcome new members into your congregation?
On a Sunday shortly after the end of each "Exploring Membership" session, we introduce new members to the congregation as they sign the ceremonial membership book. The congregation and new members say our covenant together. The new members are not asked to pledge allegiance to a creed. One may also request a private ceremony with the Minister and Director of Membership. The necessary ingredient is having a membership registration on file.
What are the benefits of becoming a member of All Souls?
You will receive the UU World Magazine published by the UUA. Membership
in All Souls also means that other members have a commitment to you, as
well as your commitment to them, as expressed when we say the covenant together
at our Membership Ceremony. As a member you may vote at congregational meetings
and on significant church matters.
What about pledging?
Pledges, or statements of your intended contributions to the church for
the year, allow the church to plan its budget and programs for the fiscal
year. While the volunteer work of our members is essential, their financial
support is also necessary to pay the bills. Pledge amounts can be changed
as life circumstances change, and can be paid in a lump sum, weekly, monthly,
or quarterly. We have a giving guide available.
While a pledge is useful to the church's fiscal planning, it is not an absolute
requirement. The one requirement that we have in our constitution is that
you make a contribution of record, that is, write a check to be a voting
member.
What social justice activities do you have?
We have a social responsibility board, which coordinates the activities
of most of our justice work.
We also hold memberships in the Missouri Religious Coalition for Reproductive
Choice, and in Project Equality, a local organization which is a religious,
corporate, and non-profit partnership for equal employment opportunity and
cultural diversity.
The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, or UUSC, is an independent
organization that works at the forefront of the international human rights
movement to secure and strengthen justice around the world.
Interweave, the organization for bisexuals, gays, lesbians, and transgender
persons and their friends, is considered by some to be a social justice
activity. All Souls members participate with other churches in building
a Habitat for Humanity House annually.
What goes on at All Souls UU Church during the week?
There are numerous church and community meetings or events, including many
adult religious education programs. You may find out about current activities
by talking to people, especially members of the Board of Trustees or of
the Membership or Hospitality committees, and sign up at the Hospitality
Table in the lobby to receive a newsletter (Flame) in the mail. If you're
not ready to be put on a mailing list yet, read the Flame online. Also,
there is an information table in the lobby on Sundays and notices are posted
on bulletin boards.
What is the Chalice that's referred to repeatedly above?
At the opening of Unitarian Universalist worship services, many congregations
light a flame inside a chalice. This flaming chalice has become a well-known
symbol of our denomination. It unites our members in worship and symbolizes
the spirit of our work.
See the UUA web page for more information on its origin.