Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation

March 14. "The Hand that Rocks the Cradle."
Rev. Heather Lynn Hanson.
Changing roles of half the human race, and how GNP influences that.
~Service is followed by the monthly "What's Up?" Forum

March 21. "What's Your Topping?"
Presented by: The TUUC Youth Group
Unitarian Universalist come from many different backgrounds - and while we celebrate the same religion, we hold different beliefs. Come join this special service, led by the high school youth group, about the commonalities we share and the "toppings" that make us unique. 

March 28. "The Evolution of God"
Rev. Kit Ketcham - Minister, UU Congregation of Whidbey Island
In the past several years, there has been a spate of books and essays arguing for and against the likelihood of the Universe being controlled by a God or Gods.  Rev. Ketcham will consider how the concept of God has evolved over millennia and how we might think of it today.

Audio recordings of past Sunday services (start to finish) are available on CDs. You may check out these CDs during the week by contacting the administrator's office at (253)474-4646. They are also available Sunday mornings in the TUUC library.
Also, we are beginning to post audio files of the sermons from our Sunday services, so you may listen to them from this website.

We have more-or-less conventional church services every Sunday at 10:30 am.  Our services normally include readings from works of prophetic or inspiring men and women of various faiths, periods of reflection, meditation, or prayer, a story time for children, singing of uplifting hymns, and a performance by our choir or other musicians. There are thought-provoking sermons/speeches by our minister or by our lay leaders or guest speakers, recognizing the diversity in our ranks, from theists to atheists.  We sometimes share our own life's significant joys and sorrows with one another, and we pass a collection plate for the support of our chuch and other worthy causes.  We urge members, friends, and visitors to stay a bit after the service for coffee, tea, snacks, and conversation.

We begin our services with the lighting of our sanctuary chalice and a unison reading: "We light this chalice in deep respect for the mystery and holiness of life. In honor and gratitude for those who have gone before, with hope and compassion for those who dwell among us, and with hope and faith for the generations to come."

At the close of our service, our celebrant snuffs the chalice, saying, "We extinguish this flame, but not the light of truth, the warmth of community, or the fire of commitment.  These we hold in our hearts until we are together again."

Attendance at our Sunday Services averages about 140 persons; fewer in spring and summer, more in fall and winter.  Children sit with their parents at the start of the services. Most gather in front for the story time, then go downstairs for religious exploration classes.

TUUC 2009 Sunday service attendance for 2009:
Total attendance - 7419 / Ave. weekly - 142.7
*For 2008 - 6547 / 130.9

RE children attendance 2009:
Total - 1341 / Ave. weekly - 28.5  

Inspiration, uplift, information, insight, comfort, community --

what do you come for when you come to church?

When you come to worship with Unitarian Universalists you are invited to bring your whole life, heart and mind, worries and hopes.  We say: "Who ever you are, whatever your heritage or history, your education or economic  class, whatever your doubts, whomever you love, you are welcome here." 

As you wait for the service, browse through the hymnal; you may see words that touch you, a tune that looks familiar.  In the back of the hymnal you will discover that we do not limit ourselves to only one "sacred" text for inspiration.  As you look around the sanctuary you will see pebble mosaics of many religious symbols of the world.  They remind us that wisdom is found within many sources and traditions. 

Our language may be very familiar, or not.  We experience the mystery of life, which some call God and some give other names or no name at all.  We hope you don't leave your brains outside our door, but we also hope you listen as intently with your heart as with your mind. What you hear you must test--in your mind, in your heart, and in your living.  Those who lead our services speak the truth as they understand it.  Only you can determine if that truth resonates in the depths of your heart and mind.

If here you have come seeking God, may God be with you in your worship and in your living.

If here you seek to connect with the wonder of the natural world, may you be inspired to live in deeper harmony with the web of life.

If here, you have come seeking the "right" path, may you find kindred seekers who will companion you, and may your steps be illumined by the love and courage of those who ventured before you on your journey.

The Rev. Keith Kron presented the service on Sunday, March 29, 2009. With his permission, we recorded his stories, reading, prayer, and sermon. If you have an audio MP3 player installed, you may click on the below links to listen to his presentation:

Story: "That's Good, That's Bad"

Story: "A Monk Called Birdsnest"

Reading: "Epilogue" by Erma Bombeck.

Story: "Faithful Elephants" by Yukio Tsuchiya.

Sermon: "The Big Picture"

Closing meditation/prayer.