Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear?
People at First Unitarian Church of Toledo wear what’s comfortable for them—some are in suits or what’s been called “Sunday best,” others are in “business casual” (whatever that means), and even exercise wear is seen at our church. The clothes Toledo Unitarians have on can fit their self-expression. If dressing according to your gender identity is important, your wardrobe choice is welcome—as are you. Dresses and pants don’t need to be gender-restrictive. When you join us to seek spiritual comfort, we don’t want your clothing to restrict your physical or emotional comfort.
Where do I park?
We have three spots in our west-side parking lot reserved for visitors, and several spaces for people with accessibility needs. If there are no spaces available in our west or south parking lots or the few spaces on the east side of the building, you can park on the grass field behind the church.
When does the service start?
Our Sunday services in the Sanctuary begin at 11am. Services are held in person and livestreamed (then filed for on-demand viewing) at YouTube.com/@ToledoUnitarians.
Is there a Sunday School or Religious Study?
Yes. Children’s religious education is currently held during our 11am service—kids begin in the Sanctuary with the full congregation, then after the first hymn they and their teachers and helpers leave for children’s chapel and religious education that runs until the service ends. For adults, at 9:45am on Sundays, we have an hour in Fellowship Hall that we call Spiritual Forum, a gathering at which we have presentations and discussion on issues of religion, social and racial justice, community awareness, and other topics. As well, there are occasional adult religious education classes offered for a limited schedule on weekday evenings or weekends.
What happens during the Sunday service?
Like many religious gatherings regardless of the particular faith, there is speaking, music, and some ritual. The minister and other religious leaders, including the director of lifelong learning, the music director, and the First Unitarian Choir, take part.There is congregational involvement in singing; shared reading and speaking; and meditation, contemplation, and prayer. And, yes, there is an offering as First Unitarian is primarily supported by its members’ financial pledges.
What should I expect after the service?
After the 11am service, we return to Fellowship Hall for an hour of coffee, conversation, and social time (and a monthly potluck lunch). Sometimes committees have meetings after the service, to which interested volunteers are invited.
Can I bring my children?
Of course. Our Lifelong Learning department offers religious education for toddlers to high school youth during the 11am service, and there are opportunities for kids to be together before and after the Sunday service. We have a nursery with nice and experienced caregivers. And during the 11am service, while the children are still in the Sanctuary, the director of lifelong learning offers a story for all. If the kids or their parents want them to stay in the Sanctuary for the full service, there are opportunities to help them be occupied with handwork or fidget-calming materials.
What holidays are celebrated?
We call attention to a variety of holy days in many world religions ancient and recent, and to special days and people related to scientific discovery. As Unitarian Universalism has a Christian liberal religious heritage, we continue to have special celebrations on Christmas Eve and Easter. A specific Unitarian Universalist observance, held every spring, is the flower ceremony, a type of communion in which everyone attending is encouraged to bring a flower, place it in a common vase, and during the ceremony take a different flower—which illustrates community, beauty, and spirit.
Will I be welcome?
In our Sunday services, we sing “Whoever your are, we welcome you. Wherever you come from, we welcome you. Whomever you love, we welcome you. Whomever you love, we welcome you.” We say that all are welcome, and we try our best to show that.
What if I’m in a same-sex relationship?
We encourage people to be in loving relationships—romantic and social. First Unitarian is a place where two adults who love each other can be married legally, regardless of their sex or gender. All are welcome, including LGBTQIA+ people, and we have leaders in our congregation who are LGBTQIA+. In addition, First Unitarian is a Welcoming Congregation, which means we have completed a Unitarian Universalist Association education program of being informed about LGBTQIA+ people and issues.
What if I’m part of a multifaith family?
First Unitarian Church of Toledo honors truths found in world religions, likely including the different faiths that make up your family. We are seekers—and sometimes finders. We know that there are many places for searching, including in multifaith ways and Unitarian Universalism.
Will I be welcome if I’m not a “believer”?
A screen on the electronic sign in front of our church has said that we’re “A Place for Agnostics, Atheists, Doubters, Freethinkers, Humanists, Questioners, Skeptics, Believers.” When senior minister TK Barger was preparing for Unitarian Universalist ordination, he also studied humanist leadership. Belief is not a requirement for Unitarian Universalist membership; our sign has also said that “We Welcome All Faiths, MultiFaith, No Faith.” What we believe is that faith and spirit are individual pursuits, and our church is a place for that seeking to be done in community. Unitarian Universalism doesn’t have a creed, and we don’t all say “we believe” any particular concept. Nonbelievers are welcome.
What are the requirements of membership?
Our bylaws state, “A Member is any person eighteen (18) years of age or older who is in general sympathy with the purposes, goals, and programs of the Congregation and with Unitarian Universalist principles, who signs the Membership book, and who makes an annual pledge.” In other words, membership requirements are that you be an adult, you endorse Unitarian Universalism, and you support us in body (by way of signing the book) and financially (through a monetary pledge). Privileges of membership include being able to vote in congregational meetings and hold office—we have what’s called “congregational polity,” which means the congregation is the ultimate deciding body. Membership also includes other benefits, such as free or lower-cost rite-of-passage services including weddings and funerals, and discounts on building use.
Will I be pressured to join?
We don’t pressure people into membership. While having more members indicates we’re healthier as a congregation in terms of attendance, fiscally, and in other ways, we know that some people choose not to join. Besides members—people who sign the book and make a pledge—our bylaws recognize that some people are supporters (making a pledge but not signing the book) and friends (attending the church but not making an on-paper commitment of membership or financial support).
Am I expected to tithe?
We don’t ask people in the congregation to tithe—giving a customary 10 percent of their income to the church. We do ask that they be generous and responsible in their giving, such as making a pledge that’s significant in a way of recognizing the importance of First Unitarian in their lives. For some, that could be 10 percent but for most, because of their own life needs, it doesn’t meet that amount. We know that there are many organizations that ask people for support and pledges, and we hope that First Unitarian is high on your list as we don’t receive outside denominational funding (in fact, we pay into the Unitarian Universalist Association Annual Program Fund) and almost all of our income is from members’s pledges. We also ask that, as well as paying directly on your pledge, when the offering plate is passed to you, you consider adding a little bit of cash as every amount helps us. And, if you have the means, remember us in your legacy giving by leaving a bequest.