Frequently Asked Questions	Download 100 Question PDF File (165 KB)
Who are Unitarians?  Who are Universalists? What do Unitarians believe? Are Unitarians Christian? Where is your church located? When is service? What happens at Sunday Service? Is there a Unitarian-Universalist congregation in my area? Do you perform interfaith weddings? Do you perform "gay" weddings? Do you perform "baptisms"? What are Unitarian Symbols? Where can I find out more?   Who are Unitarians?  Who are Universalists?  Top Unitarian Universalism (UUism) is a liberal religion dedicated to the free search for personal and spiritual truth, community building, social justice and respect for the worth and dignity of individuals.   Click here to find out more about our history. What do Unitarians believe?  Top Every individual should be encouraged to develop a personal philosophy of life. Everyone is capable of reasoning. We do not need any other person, official or organization to tell us what to believe. We should be able to present religious opinions openly, without fear of censure or reprisal. All people should be tolerant of the religious ideas of others. Truth is not absolute; it changes over time. Everyone should continue to search for the truth. Everyone has an equal claim to life, liberty and justice. People should govern themselves by democratic processes. Ideas should be open to criticism. Good works are the natural product of a good faith. Click here to find out more about our faith. Are Unitarians Christian?   Top Modern Unitarianism and Universalism were born out of the same protestant reformation that saw the creation of many Christian sects, such as Lutherans and Calvanism. We have Christian members and we honour our Judeo-Christian heritage.  We also welcome and encourage a wide spectrum of beliefs, including earth-based faiths and humanism.  Thus, the short answer is no, we are not officially a Christian faith, but Christians are certainly welcome to celebrate with us. Where is your church located?   Top We are located at 30 Cleary Ave., in the west end of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.  Click here for a map, directions and contact information. When is Sunday Service?   Top Service is at 10:30 a.m. every Sunday, year round.  During the summer, the services are led by lay members of the congregation.  Click here for more information on Sunday Services. What happens at Sunday Service?   Top We have a web page that discusses just that.  Click here for more information on Sunday Services. Is there a Unitarian-Universalist congregation in my area?   Top There are Unitarian and Universalist congregations and fellowships around the world.  The most up to date list of congregations in Canada is at the Canadian Unitarian Council website.  For congregations throughout the world, try the Unitarian Universalist Association website. Do you perform interfaith weddings?   Top We perform marriages for all sorts of couples in a variety of locations under a wide-range of circumstances.  Click here to see more information in our wedding section. Do you perform "gay" weddings?   Top We proudly perform same-sex wedding ceremonies in Ontario, conferring full legal status on the relationship.  Click to see more information in our wedding section. Do you perform "baptisms"?   Top We welcome children into the world, and honour their parents with a Child Naming and/or Parent Dedication ceremony.  Click to find out more.  What are Unitarian Symbols?   Top Perhaps the best known symbol of Unitarian-Universalism is the chalice, representing the light we seek to bring to the world.  Click here to discover the history of the chalice and some other symbols. Where can I find out more about Unitarian Universalism?   Top We have a PDF document entitled "100 Questions That Non-Members Ask About Unitarian Universalism".  It's about 165 KB, and you require Adobe Acrobat to read it.	Quick Facts Adult Members and Friends:550 Church School Enrollment:140 Founded: 1898, Senate Office Building, office of George Holland, Senate Reporter First Minister: Albert Walkley, opponent of free trade. Polity: Congregational, Chuck Shields, President Affiliations: Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC Web Page), Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA Web Page) Building Architect: James Craig Building Opened: 1967 [The first building is the small stone chruch at the corner of Lewis and Elgin, downtown, now occupied by St. Marcs] The congregation has over 80 groups in which people get to know each other and serve the community. The ministry of the congregation is by interim minister Rev. Dr. Janet Newman. TwoLay Chaplains help the ministers by officiating at many of the child naming/parent dedication, wedding and memorial services.

To Site Home Page:http://www.uuottawa.com/ Updated: September 26, 2006