All Souls Unitarian Church

 All Souls Unitarian Church is a conservative Unitarian Universalist Church in a liberal tradition that has not forgotten Unitarian's roots as a liberal branch of Christianity.  This particular congregation is very rooted in Judeo-Christian tradition--and they like it that way.  To accomodate sunday morning religious education for adults and children alike, they offer two main sanctuary service options:  the first at 10:00am and the second at 11:15am which is better attended.  I attended the second service and found their rather large sanctuary PACKED.  It is a popular church!

Head minister Galen Guengerich comes from a Mennonite background which is he is very open about.  He switched to Unitarianism because he is more liberal than them (which describes a large number of Christian denomiinations as well).  But liberal is a relative term--liberal to one group might be conservative to another.  During the sermon I heard from him, I found him much more conservative than some UU ministers I've listened to.  Instead of using certain kind of inclusive language that appeals to followers of diverse world religions, he used specific Judeo-Christian theological precepts.  The lyrics in songs were distinctly Christian in nature (I had to switch several words around to conform with my conscience) instead of more open-ended as one might find at other UUs.  And there was specific content in the sermon which I found very problematic as a Wiccan-Unitarian.  When I asked during coffee hour at the welcome table if All Souls has a pagan RE group, the answer was "no".  It would seem that this is a UU where the earth-centric beliefs are not a part of the congregation.

Put together, i think this is a nice church for UUs who are inclined towards Judeo-Christianity.  But I am not sure about other world religions.  There was nothing of any other spiritual traditions in today's service outside of Christianity.  It was very Bible focused.  Also, since I came with a broken toe, I must inform people that they like to sit, then stand, up and down CONSTANTLY.  Don't come on a day with a foot injury!  They won't say, "rise if you are able"  like other UUs will.  Visiting, I did not think it would be okay to spare my toe the pain of trying to get up, so I did it and tried to brace it on the bench.

Space wise...it's a lovely space.  No stained glass, so it's nice and neutral.  The space is white, light, and classic and would be nice for a wedding.  The pews are in the federalist style like one sees at the Old North Church in Boston--that's what they remind me of!  The buillding is younger than First UU of Brooklyn, but since the walls are white, it feels lighter and prettier.  I like it better!  just watch out for all the stairs in the building!  Beautiful space, but lots of stairs!