30 Days of Gratitude - Day 15

Today I want to pronounce my gratitude for my church, Horizon Unitarian Universalist church.

I've only recently started attending, well this past summer, and it has been a great experience. I had looked into the church about 10 years ago, but only in a cursory way. It wasn't until this summer that I decided that I really wanted to find out what the church was all about and I went to investigate. I was happily surprised at how open and welcoming the members were.

The services open with the following Affirmation:
Love is the doctrine of our church;
The quest for truth is its sacrament,
And service is its prayer.
To dwell together in peace,
To seek knowledge in freedom,
To serve humanity in harmony with the earth,
Thus do we covenant together. 

They also pronounce the importance of the "Free Pulpit and Free Pew" which states that we come together with the freedom that the Minister may say what he wants without fear and that we as congregants are free to accept what is being spoken or not accept it. It is a very open church and that is what I really enjoy about it.

I chose today to be grateful for my church because I am part of a small group that meets every other Thursday, this being one such day, where we are exploring Spirituality and what it is and how it impacts us. It is allowing me the opportunity to discuss my ideas in a safe environment and learn from others. In the end, I hope to gain a new perspective on myself and to improve who I am....make me a better me.

If you are unfamiliar with the Unitarian Universalists (UUs), here is a list of what the UU Association promotes:

• The inherent worth and dignity of every person,
• Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations, 
• Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations, 
• A free and responsible search for truth and meaning, 
• The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large, 
• The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all, 
• Respect for the interdependent web of all existence, of which we are a part. 

Okay, to be totally, 100% honest I am not "officially" a member yet, I have only been considered a visitor. However, on Sunday, I will be "signing the book" as they call it and becoming an official member of the church. This is a little exciting for me as I have never been a member of a church as an adult.