Members and friends share their stories of why they love First Universalist Church! Click each person’s name to read their full story.
“First Universalist Church is incredibly important to me. I feel at home there, and I have formed very strong relationships over years. I have met the people I consider to be my best friends at Church. I know the people there care for me.”
Eric & Lisa Berglund
“For us, the First Universalist experience provides a unique and invaluable blend of comfort and challenge. We find comfort in the words, music, and fellowship of the Sunday services. We are also challenged to be better persons. Then, beyond the Sunday services, we find the same comfort and challenge in such programs as Daytime Connections. Most of all, we treasure our association with First Universalist because there are so many truly kind people at our church.”
“The underlying coordination of themes expressed in the visual arts, music, words, education program, and activities is an organizational choice that takes dedication and cooperation by many. The music and musicians in this church are gifts that keep on giving. I’ve identified with and been able to use EVERY message I’ve heard from the four ministers. Others have said the same: ‘They must be speaking to me.'”
“First Universalist Church means the world to me. Other than my home, there is no place where I have grown up more. I came for RE almost every week from first grade until I left for college, and I have made it a point to get back whenever I’m home. All because of the people.”
“I find strength in the thoughts, words and deeds of the ministers, including the choir and that awesome piano-playing doctor. I continually attend First Universalist because in this imperfect world of impermanence, First Universalist is what I consider The Best of All Possible Worlds.”
Dakota Hoska
“I gain deep and meaningful wisdom from our pastors and my community of fellow First Universalist members who are also searching for truth, wisdom, and kindness on their own journeys. I love First Universalist and I’m glad I’m a member. Here, I feel valued, appreciated, and perhaps most important of all guided toward becoming my best self.”
“I am in absolute awe of programs available for youth within this space which provide so much hope for the future. Without having spiritually practiced in this space, I truly do not believe that I would be entering into the sacred covenant of marriage with my life partner as intentionally as I will be this fall.”
“…I began to notice what a truly unique place First Universalist is. A community of individuals willing to discuss and further a truly free search for spirituality and meaning, fostering innovation, inclusivity, and positive change. I believe that this is what a church should be. As far as a climate for youth developing spiritually, I couldn’t ask for a better community.”
“I love how we can bring our whole selves to First Universalist. We fit here as a family with small children, and as activists, skeptics, and seekers. First Universalist helps me re-center and re-align my actions with my values in times of turmoil.”
“At First U, we feel fulfilled in the wholeness of our experience; in our belief that people, relationships, art, music, stewardship, social justice and even politics are all part of the community and our continued presence at First U.”
“Learning to receive and accepting the help and support and love being offered, not only helped me and my family through a difficult time, but it changed my relationship to First Universalist. This church went from being a place of worship to a place of belonging.”
“My commitment to service and advocacy has been strengthened through First Universalist and as I age, this is becoming even more important to me as I think about my legacy. I have found my “tribe” at First Universalist and I am very grateful.”
Drew Rosielle & Sarah Thompson
“We started coming to First Universalist for our kids, but stayed for ourselves. It seems silly now, but apparently we didn’t know that being in a group of hundreds of like-minded people, singing, meditating, talking, listening about things which really, deeply matter to us as individuals, members of this community, part of our human family, was profound, nourishing, and challenging.”
“We are very grateful to the ideals of this church that keep binding all of us together, and asking where love is calling us next. The racial justice journey has been spot on for our own growth. The Sunday services consistently call us to be our better selves. Everyone has experienced enough emotional pain in life to understand the depth of our gratitude that we are seen and embraced by this community as a gay couple. We are joyfully looking forward to celebrating our wedding in this church in September.”
“First Universalist has been a place to meet people, be involved in social and environmental justice, and to grow spirituality. We have gained friends and new insights into who we are and what is important to us. First Universalist has been an integral part of this time of discovery.”
“It wasn’t until attending First Universalist that I finally allowed myself to emotionally connect to my own faith. I am eager to use the foundation I’ve created here to build a life embedded in Unitarian Universalist principles of love and compassion. I am so grateful for the energy and guidance that I have gained from First Universalist.”
“Our church has been such a big part of my life and has opened my mind to new ideas and strengthened my values in so many ways I cannot begin to name them all. I would like to thank every member of our church for making First Universalist a safe environment for growth, learning, and mindfulness. I do not know what I would be doing right now if it were not for this incredible faith community. Thank you for everything.”
