During the first #52in52 - one of the strangest sights was attending a Unitarian Universalist church. It was church... but I never recalled any mention of Christ or a saw a cross. Instead, the most surprising find was a poster of the 100 most influential Unitarians and Universalists, which included an image of Charles Darwin.
Another insight was attending churches that were designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, who many consider to be greatest American architect of all-time. Lo and behold, Wright was also a Unitarian and designed this building for his local church in Madison, Wisconsin.
Few insights from this visit:
1) UU is a liberal religious movement mainly concentrated in the U.S. Lots of calls for social justice, inclusivity, and the like.
2) Paid to go on a tour to learn about Wright and this church. Inside the hearth is a circle of names that influenced him, most notably the "transcendents" Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson.
3) Wright originally designed the end of the roof to be so low, you had to bow to enter. It was on purpose, since Wright concluded everyone should bow going into church. Well, safety codes didn't like the idea of so many people bumping their heads, so they had to lower the ground to make it work.
4) The original church is still used from time-to-time for key events, but now main services are at the atrium on the other end of the horseshoe-like building expansion.
5) Lots of flags, signs, and children's art for LGBTQIA+, Ukraine, Black Lives Matter, etc.
6) Everyone was required to wear a mask.
7) Tandem preaching. Two preachers going by Team Kelly (both reverends first names were Kelly) would give short sermons lasting 5-10 minutes, then allow the other reverend to do another short sermon. Different.
8) Really didn't know what to think of this afterwards. Felt like church for agnostics. Very fluid, with God being referred to as "The Holy One of Many Names." Found myself with my fingers under my jaw contemplating what I witnessed, almost like looking at an abstract art piece.
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15 окт 2024