A FAITH FOR YOU

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 go back to 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 and Susan B. Anthony. More than one thousand congregations make up the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), which grew out of the consolidation, in 1961, of two religious denominations: the Universalists, organized in 1793, and the Unitarians, organized in 1825.

The living tradition which we share draws from many sources:
Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;

Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;

Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;

Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;

Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit; and

Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.

Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision. As free congregations we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust and support.

A CONGREGATION FOR YOU

Since 1906, Our Home Universalist Church has stood for a free faith for the residents of the Mississippi Pine Belt. Founded by Mr. & Mrs. O. S. Herrington, who were so excited over their discovery of Universalism that they vowed to have a church in this area even if they had to hold services in our home, the church quickly grew and built its own facilities. Through social controversies and fluctuating church membership, Our Home has remained one of Mississippi's strongest supporters of progressive, liberal religion.

We extend a standing invitation to all to join with us in practicing and sharing with more Mississippians our liberating faith. Your membership begins when you simply sign our membership register which is kept at the front of the sanctuary, either publicly during a Sunday service or privately at another time. Membership is maintained by minimal contributions of about $60 per year (about $5 per month), which includes your subscription to the UUA's award-winning magazine, the World, and opportunities to help govern our autonomous congregation. As your spirit grows through involvement here, we trust your contributions will increase to help cover the greater local expenses of this self-supporting congregation. A suggested standard of charity to grow towards is five percent of your income.

The Future is . . . BRIGHT! In addition to our worship service each Sunday morning, we are seeking to develop multiple groups within our congregation in which everyone may grow spiritually through relationships revolving around socializing, religious education, or social justice. We are eager to offer additional groups in each of these areas. Visit the small group
meetings within our congregation--or suggest and start a new one!

SOCIALIZING
In a society of scattered families, we can be your spiritual family. Join us for monthly potluck dinners in homes and for other activities when our members minister to each other through casual gatherings. As equals, we seek to meet people where they are either one-on-one, by telephone, or through the Internet.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Attend an adult class or check out books from our growing library. Bring your children to share in the first part of the 11 o'clock service and give them the opportunity to attend their own class for unpressured lessons, songs, art projects, group games, and story books teaching them our shared values.

SOCIAL JUSTICE
Help us do more to demonstrate our values to our Pine Belt community.

To read more about our free faith, visit our church library, surf some Unitarian Universalist websites, or order a copy of Terry Jonathan Moore's My Subtle Shift from Baptist Fundamentalist to Unitarian Universalist: Sermons of a Newly Liberated Ministry, ISBN 0-7388-0002-3, 120 pages, hardback $25, electronic edition $8 www.xlibris.com/TJMoore.html

Any Questions?
Please contact the
Reverend Terry Jonathan Moore, Ph.D.
Telephone (toll free): (888) 823-2499
E-mail: 70420.62@compuserve.com

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