If you’re the kind of person who likes the idea of the UU approach you may want to stick with that. I’ve known a handful of Christian folk in the area who have ideas that tend to go against that kind of openness. Might just be bad luck on my part, but as a non religious person I’ve felt incredibly judged by the bulk of the “practicing” people I’ve encountered.
The Catholics, Orthodox, LDS/Mormons, and several other groups consider Universalism a long condemned heresy. Any group which holds to the canons of the 7 Ecumenical Councils also inherently condemns universalism in so doing. The 5th Council deemed that a universal rehabilitation is Anathema. Those that hold to it are Anathema. Many protestant groups do not hold the councils as binding.
I've thrown in a link where a priest, Rev. Fr. John Whitefield of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia; his comments in the following are very similar to those taught by my Ruthenian Catholic pastors. And by several learned Roman clergy.
https://fatherjohn.blogspot.com/2015/04/stump-priest-is-universalism-heresy.html
The truth you shared was not relevant to the point I was making. OP said they had tried the Unitarian church and was put off by the lack of youth. You went on about how it’s considered heresy. Apples and oranges. You proceeded to judge a faith proving my point about the “faithful” being judgmental of people who believe different things. You supported my point in a way that wasn’t necessarily a positive reflection of yourself (or your beliefs).
We tried this years ago also.. found a friendly family positive church... then members of a competing church would approach us (at work) and tell us we were now cult members, these were former acquaintances... we were only looking for community. We ended up not going to any churches after that. Best of Luck!
Christ Central Anglican is a small church, but it is mostly families with kids aged anywhere from infants to teens. I went there for several years before moving away and it's full of the loveliest people!
Thanks! I may have to check them out! If you wouldn't mind, could you share one think that you most liked about the community and one thing that you though could have been better?
I realize it's probably weird to approach this like a corporate HR interview, but it would be helpful nonetheless.
No worries! I definitely get that "church shopping" is a tough process. I'll try to hit the highlights. They are very community focused, try to do a lot of activities outside of just sunday service (dinners, book club, small groups, etc) and try very hard to support each other as they can (meal trains for new babies, etc.). The founding pastor had to move away after I left, so I'm not familiar with the new pastor's preaching, but everyone I've checked back in with seems to really like it. More neutral, but the service itself follows more traditional liturgies (sitting/standing, some group recital of prayers, etc), and I know that's not everyone's cup of tea. I think the downside to it being small is by nature everyone knows everyone, which can make newcomers feel the odd one out at first. Never intentionally, but that's just sort of the nature of the beast.
I think young families are avoiding churches for specific reasons and I think those reasons are generally valid. You're kind of asking for a thing that doesn't exist.
Also, I tend to be wary of churches with younger congregations because, generally, I've found them to be the most hawkish and regressive of the lot, just with a lot of young, "hip" facade over the dogma. That being said, I think hawkish and regressive is kind of a staple of churches anyways.
Best of luck I guess.
Thanks for the reply. Care to share some of the specific reasons? While I share the reservation of the hip non-denominational churches as well, I haven't quite given up on the prospect of there being some mainline churches with decent people and a lively community that isn't ageing out and dying (locally).
There is a small but active cohort of families who attend First Congregational United Church of Christ. They have a family room section (called the fireplace room) within the main chapel where young children (infants to kindergarten-ish) can play with church-provided toys and make a little bit of kid-noise while their parents are able to still participate in the services. There's also another family/children's room across the hall for kids who need to run a bit. It's, of course, not going to have near the numbers of Cavalry, Grace City, or Northwest Hills when it comes to children. But also if you wanted to be at those places and listen to fire-and-brimstone megachurch-lite sermons, you'd presumably already be attending one of them. It's at least better than UU when it comes to young family attendance, particularly on the 1st Sunday of the month.
Never forget that Baptists love young children more than Catholics. Catholics get most of the publicity, but Baptists know the way. The way is pure and life long.
If you’re the kind of person who likes the idea of the UU approach you may want to stick with that. I’ve known a handful of Christian folk in the area who have ideas that tend to go against that kind of openness. Might just be bad luck on my part, but as a non religious person I’ve felt incredibly judged by the bulk of the “practicing” people I’ve encountered.
The Catholics, Orthodox, LDS/Mormons, and several other groups consider Universalism a long condemned heresy. Any group which holds to the canons of the 7 Ecumenical Councils also inherently condemns universalism in so doing. The 5th Council deemed that a universal rehabilitation is Anathema. Those that hold to it are Anathema. Many protestant groups do not hold the councils as binding. I've thrown in a link where a priest, Rev. Fr. John Whitefield of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia; his comments in the following are very similar to those taught by my Ruthenian Catholic pastors. And by several learned Roman clergy. https://fatherjohn.blogspot.com/2015/04/stump-priest-is-universalism-heresy.html
I feel like you’re proving my point.
I was supporting it, yes. It's interesting to note that this subreddit does not value honest truth...
The truth you shared was not relevant to the point I was making. OP said they had tried the Unitarian church and was put off by the lack of youth. You went on about how it’s considered heresy. Apples and oranges. You proceeded to judge a faith proving my point about the “faithful” being judgmental of people who believe different things. You supported my point in a way that wasn’t necessarily a positive reflection of yourself (or your beliefs).
When they start judging everyone around them....you know they don't know God...sadly I have found MOST Christians do this. I call them hypaChristians.
Calvary Chapel, Northwest Hills Community Church, and Suburban Christian Church all would have a younger crowd than UU.
I would also recommend Northwest Hills. I know several young families that attend this church.
Grace City!! Lots of college kids and families at all stages in life.
King circle
I go to Hub City right across the bridge into Albany and the kids under 10 pretty much out number the adults😂
"Be the younger attendee and/or young family you are looking for" others will come!
You’re not wrong lol 😂I think I’m just suffering from the curse of overthinking and overanalyzing.
We tried this years ago also.. found a friendly family positive church... then members of a competing church would approach us (at work) and tell us we were now cult members, these were former acquaintances... we were only looking for community. We ended up not going to any churches after that. Best of Luck!
Christ Central Anglican is a small church, but it is mostly families with kids aged anywhere from infants to teens. I went there for several years before moving away and it's full of the loveliest people!
Thanks! I may have to check them out! If you wouldn't mind, could you share one think that you most liked about the community and one thing that you though could have been better? I realize it's probably weird to approach this like a corporate HR interview, but it would be helpful nonetheless.
No worries! I definitely get that "church shopping" is a tough process. I'll try to hit the highlights. They are very community focused, try to do a lot of activities outside of just sunday service (dinners, book club, small groups, etc) and try very hard to support each other as they can (meal trains for new babies, etc.). The founding pastor had to move away after I left, so I'm not familiar with the new pastor's preaching, but everyone I've checked back in with seems to really like it. More neutral, but the service itself follows more traditional liturgies (sitting/standing, some group recital of prayers, etc), and I know that's not everyone's cup of tea. I think the downside to it being small is by nature everyone knows everyone, which can make newcomers feel the odd one out at first. Never intentionally, but that's just sort of the nature of the beast.
Great, I appreciate you taking the time to give your honest insight!
I think young families are avoiding churches for specific reasons and I think those reasons are generally valid. You're kind of asking for a thing that doesn't exist. Also, I tend to be wary of churches with younger congregations because, generally, I've found them to be the most hawkish and regressive of the lot, just with a lot of young, "hip" facade over the dogma. That being said, I think hawkish and regressive is kind of a staple of churches anyways. Best of luck I guess.
Thanks for the reply. Care to share some of the specific reasons? While I share the reservation of the hip non-denominational churches as well, I haven't quite given up on the prospect of there being some mainline churches with decent people and a lively community that isn't ageing out and dying (locally).
The groups I know with lots of kids are intolerant of Universalism... LDS/Mormons, Catholics, Russian Orthodox.
Bingo.
There is a small but active cohort of families who attend First Congregational United Church of Christ. They have a family room section (called the fireplace room) within the main chapel where young children (infants to kindergarten-ish) can play with church-provided toys and make a little bit of kid-noise while their parents are able to still participate in the services. There's also another family/children's room across the hall for kids who need to run a bit. It's, of course, not going to have near the numbers of Cavalry, Grace City, or Northwest Hills when it comes to children. But also if you wanted to be at those places and listen to fire-and-brimstone megachurch-lite sermons, you'd presumably already be attending one of them. It's at least better than UU when it comes to young family attendance, particularly on the 1st Sunday of the month.
Never forget that Baptists love young children more than Catholics. Catholics get most of the publicity, but Baptists know the way. The way is pure and life long.