First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa

It can be very confusing and/or telling. Our congregations are often very careful about the language they choose, and different groups may use different words for the same structure. For example, worship services are also known as assemblies or meetings or church services. However, "assembly" may also mean a different kind of congregational gathering, such as one for Religious Exploration. Some congregations have sermons as the centrepiece of their services, and some have talks or messages. Some congregations are churches, some are just congregations, some are temples, some are societies, some use one word for the organisation and a different one for the building. Fellowships are a special case: some are clergy-led congregations, but there was a time in our history when "fellowship" was a name for a lay-led grassroots type congregation and when they got larger they sometimes chose to call a professional leader. Thus "fellowship" may or may not indicate a congregation's historical or current relationship to professional leadership. There are a number of other instances of this same linguistic manoeuvering. In practical terms, this makes it a good idea to ask a lot of questions in a conversation; find out what the person means by the words they've chosen before you get too deep into the discussion. You may find that you agree more than you thought you did...or you may find that you don't.

A Quirky Intro to Unitarianism and Unitarian Universalism by Leela Sinha
a note about language:	If you like things in order . . . Introduction to the guided tour: . . . . .. lead me onward If your mind loves a search . . . Menu by Subject general information about Unitarianism and Unitarian Universalism history polity general theology personal theology Religious Exploration political/social action involvement at First Unitarian, Ottawa, Ontario CANADA
It can be very confusing and/or telling. Our congregations are often very careful about the language they choose, and different groups may use different words for the same structure. For example, worship services are also known as assemblies or meetings or church services. However, "assembly" may also mean a different kind of congregational gathering, such as one for Religious Exploration. Some congregations have sermons as the centrepiece of their services, and some have talks or messages. Some congregations are churches, some are just congregations, some are temples, some are societies, some use one word for the organisation and a different one for the building. Fellowships are a special case: some are clergy-led congregations, but there was a time in our history when "fellowship" was a name for a lay-led grassroots type congregation and when they got larger they sometimes chose to call a professional leader. Thus "fellowship" may or may not indicate a congregation's historical or current relationship to professional leadership. There are a number of other instances of this same linguistic manoeuvering. In practical terms, this makes it a good idea to ask a lot of questions in a conversation; find out what the person means by the words they've chosen before you get too deep into the discussion. You may find that you agree more than you thought you did...or you may find that you don't.
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