As a Welcoming Congregation, we actively welcome gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people as full participants in the life of the church. We are committed to standing on the side of love in our congregational life and our advocacy in the larger community.
What to Expect
| What to Expect When Visiting |
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Come as You Are Please feel free to come as you are most comfortable. Some people come each week dressed up while others are quite casual. This "come as you are" atmosphere extends beyond mere clothing and other adornments - we welcome all seekers. Parking Parking is directly in front of the Church at 1025 N. Smith Road (see ‘Map to Church’) or in the adjacent Palatine Park District (Hamilton Reservoir) parking lot just to the south. There are a few spots reserved for visitors just across from and north of the main entrance. Feel free to use them. The parking lot begins to fill up prior to service as the choir practices at 9:30AM and there is a Forum discussion group that meets at 9:15AM. (With the adjacent park district lot however, there is always a place to park even if it is a short walk.) Accessibility
Prior to the Service Usually people begin arriving in earnest for the 10:30 service by 10:15 am. The main entrance is the south entrance with the narthex just inside. People gather in the narthex prior to the service as a greeting and socializing area. There you will find someone who will greet you, and a visitor’s center (window ledge to the church office) with a name tag to fill out along with a visitor’s form if you want to be placed on our mailing list. To the left as you enter is a hallway leading north to classrooms. There are a number of bulletin boards of information and literature on your right. Further down the hall on the left are restrooms, then our nursery, and through a set of double doors and you will be in the class room end of the building. Although our worship service starts at 10:30 AM, some arrive early for the Open Forum Discussion that takes place prior to each service. If you would like to attend the 9:15 AM Forum, go to classroom #5 on the north end of the building (you can also use the north entrance which will take you directly into the classroom area of the church). Children’s Religious Education / Sunday School Our congregation supports a full religious education program. Child care is offered for the youngest children while school-aged children participate in classroom learning and activities. Classes last about 15 minutes longer than the worship service, giving you time to get to know more about the church or to socialize a bit. As the classes conclude, the children come into Atherton Hall or the Sanctuary to find their parent(s). If you would like your child(ren) to attend a class, plan to arrive by 10:15 so there is time to meet the teacher and find the appropriate classroom. If you prefer, you and your child(ren) are welcome to attend the church service together. There will be signs posted and ushers will know which kind of service it is. Children and Worship Service Children will join adults in the sanctuary once per month for our All Church intergenerational services-- sometimes for the whole service and sometimes for just the beginning (Family Service). The rest of the time, they'll go to the Children's Chapel held at the far end of Atherton Hall (enter directly across from the Sanctuary off the Narthex to the left), and then to their classes. The nursery and preschool are always open. (Junior and Senior High groups maintain a flexible schedule.) See the 'Worship Schedule' page for which dates are All Church or Family Service. Worship Service
The service begins with a welcoming by the worship associate followed by the lighting of our chalice, the primary symbol of Unitarian Universalism, a brief reading of announcements, and the recitation of our Covenant. The service is usually led by our minister, the Rev. Hilary Landau Krivchenia. When she is not in the pulpit, the service may be led by a lay member of the congregation or by a guest (please see the Worship Schedule page for who will be leading the service). Our liturgy includes: singing of hymns, special music by the choir, readings, receiving of an offering (visitors are not expected to donate), a sermon, a children's story (on Family Service days), and often a meditation time. Occasionally services include an affirmation by a member, a joining ceremony for new members, or a dedication ceremony of babies or young children. After the Service
The social time or ‘coffee hour’ usually winds down between 12:00 noon and 12:30pm. |
Our church is handicap accessible, with several handicap parking spaces near the main entrance. There are no curbs or steps in the parking lot or within the church building. Double doors and a wide hallway allows easy access to the sanctuary, social areas, restrooms, and classrooms.
By 10:20 am, people begin to fill up the sanctuary in anticipation of the service starting at 10:30 am . If you are hearing impaired, ask an usher for a listening aid unit. There is also a large print "Order of Worship" available. You will not be directed to a seat but may be seated where you feel most comfortable.
We encourage visitors to meet with the morning’s greeters at the 'Visitors' center following the service, for possible questions and conversation. If you prefer, you may join the rest of the congregation in Atherton Hall (straight across the Narthex as you leave the Sanctuary) for coffee/tea and refreshments. Congregation members are happy to meet and talk with you, to share impressions and experiences, and to welcome you to a church that encourages each person’s unique spiritual journey.