Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Stanislaus County Why I Joined This Fellowship

Home About Us Minister, Rev. Joe Cherry Newcomers Beliefs Map Sunday Services Adult Classes and Groups Calendar Children Contacts Faith in Action FAQ for Visitors History of UUFSC Learn More Links Members Music News Pictures Sermons, by:      Rev. Joe Cherry      Rev. Grace Simons      Our Guests Social Action Staff Tours of our:       Campus       Classrooms Why I Joined Feedback Text size Privacy Policy What's New Comments, questions or problems? E-mail our Web Wizard: A liberal religious voice in the Central Valley since 1953.

We asked our members why they joined the fellowship, in 100 words or less. We have 135 members; this is just a sample. Fred Herman: In the fall of 1967 I saw a news item that college librarian Dean Galloway would do a Sunday talk for UUs on "Censorship and the Tropic of Cancer." Months later I came back for Rev. Boyd Tucker reviewing a "green" book by Stuart Udall. Finally hooked, I found a forum for ideas, a conduit for saving the world and a home for spiritual fruitcakes like me. I came to Unitarianism unchurched, while most of us came when they finally rejected old creeds and dogmas. Ted Pack: I'm an agnostic. This is the only church in town that would have me. I get to explore spiritual matters, socialize with a great bunch of people and work with a team to prepare and share dinners with 150 homeless people once a month. Dave Tucker: I joined the fellowship because there was a warm and witty and wonderful woman there who subsequently became my wife! Dane Oliveira: "Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations." In the winter of 2008, I was alone and searching for something. When I came here, the convivial and inclusive nature of the environment and people of the Fellowship drew me initially. The open acceptance, from the minister to the newest of members, felt like I was a valued member of the group from the inception of my time here. Finally, the warmth of the reception from all quarters was genuine and unstudied; there were no pretensions or counterfeit displays. The Fellowship became my spiritual home and family. Bob Santos: UUF allows me to express some of the same values I felt during the 60's, particularly as they relate to civil rights and social justice. Concepts of respect for the rights of others, tolerance, and equality are basic to the church, and easily apply to such issues as homelessness and sexual orientation. I enjoy the building and grounds projects, and the many opportunities to relate with others either in church, on planning committees, or at socials. Marcia Gilbert: I was born and raised Universalist and during my college years I explored a number of other churches frequented by various friends. I found them all way too restrictive and exclusive. Here at UUFSC I have to check neither my brain nor my sensitivities at the door. My liberal religious beliefs are clearly stated in the Purposes and Principles of UUism. I am constantly encouraged to keep an open mind and to search for truth and peaceful ways of living as a human being. Bernadette Burns: Modesto is far more conservative than I ever imagined, leading my husband and I to consider the need to find a liberal church for our family. My primary spiritual path is Wiccan (seasonal/earth-honoring ceremonies) and I felt uncertain about joining a church. We decided to visit the UU Fellowship and found a small, warm, welcoming community of religious liberals that were only a little freaked out about my being Wiccan. They needed to hear more about the Earth-honoring path and we needed a circle of people to call our extended family. We decided to make the Fellowship our family's religious home. Dorothy Schmidt: Long ago when I was in college, I met a friend who introduced me to a Unitarian Youth group. I liked it and joined the large old Unitarian Church of Brooklyn, NY. Then I met my husband Roy, who preferred the Friends, (Quakers) but we compromised and were married in the Brooklyn Unitarian church. When we moved to California we joined the Modesto fellowship, which was different from the long-established Brooklyn church. We became active in the church. Roy served as Treasurer. We met most of our lifelong friends at the fellowship and have felt very lucky to have found them. [Ed. Note: We put the answers in the order received, not by name, so please don't write to the web master about his alphabetizing skills.]

We are a liberal church and the only UU congregation in Stanislaus county. We serve Ceres, Denair, Escalon, Hickman, Hughson, Keyes, Manteca, Modesto, Oakdale, Patterson, Ripon, Riverbank, Salida, Turlock and Waterford. We welcome Agnostics, Atheists, Buddhists, Christians, Deists, Free-thinkers, Humanists, Jews, Pagans, Theists, Wiccans, and those who seek their own spiritual path. We welcome people without regard to race, physical ability, ethnicity or sexual orientation.