Frequently Asked Questions
What are Sunday morning services like?
What do people wear to services?
What will be expected of me at my first visit?
What experience will my child have on a Sunday morning?
Why do you light a chalice?
What are the directions to the Conejo Valley UU Fellowship?
Am I a UU?
Can Unitarian Universalists believe anything they want?
How does one become a member of CVUUF?
Is CVUUF's facility accessible?
CVUUF has two buildings; our Sanctuary, where worship services are held, and our Fellowship Hall, which includes our kitchen and dining area, classrooms, childcare space, library, and church offices. We also have a patio between the two buildings where people socialize before and after our services. Each of our buildings, the parking lots, our patio, and the restrooms, are accessible and do not require the navigation of staircases. Our Fellowship Hall is two stories tall and has an elevator.
What are Sunday morning services like?
Our Sunday services vary, but generally we start each service with a song, the lighting of our chalice, the reciting of our statement of purpose and a children's story. We collect food donations for the local foodbank. The children then leave for Religious Education classes. The sermon is usually given by the Rev. Dr. Betty Stapleford, but we also have guest speakers, drama groups, special music performances, and other types of worship programs depending on the topic. The service generally closes with a hymn and we extinguish our chalice.
What do people wear to services?
There is no dress code. Some people wear jeans, others wear casual dress clothes, and some prefer more formal attire. Please come in whatever clothes you feel most comfortable wearing.
What will be expected of me at my first visit?
Our greeters will reach out to shake your hand and welcome you with a smile. We hope you'll respond by saying hello! We'll invite you to sign in on our visitor register, and we'll make you a name tag. The visitor register and name tag are optional; if you prefer to skip them that is fine. We request that first time visitors allow the collection plate to pass you by. We hope you will stay after the service for refreshments and conversation.
What experience will my child have on a Sunday morning?
A large room, called Childspace, for infants and toddlers is warm and inviting with a professional child care staff. Child care is available at both services.
For preschool- through middle school-aged children, we have age appropriate religious education classes at the first service and arts & crafts for all kids during the second service. The religious education classes focus on themes relating to our Unitarian Universalist principles, exposure to different beliefs and cultures and faith in action projects. The atmosphere is one of that promotes acceptance of diverse ideas, independent thinking, understanding of UU values and of world religions, and celebrates the joy of learning. Children in these classes often form lifelong friendships.
For high school youth, religious education takes place during the second service. These classes are largely driven by themes and activities that are of interest to youth themselves.
Parents can feel free to join their kids at our children's programs, or to keep their children with them in the sanctuary during the worship service, if you wish.
Why do you light a chalice?
Hans Deutsch, an Austrian artist, first brought together the chalice and the flame as a Unitarian symbol during his work with the Unitarian Service Committee during World War II. To Deutsch, the image had connotations of sacrifice and love. Unitarian Universalists today have many different interpretations of the image. To many, the cup represents religious community, while the flame represents ideas including the sacrificial flame, the flame of the spirit, and more.
What is the origin of the name "Unitarian Universalist"?
Unitarian Universalism emerged from two different religions: Unitarianism and Universalism. Both Unitarianism and Universalism started in Europe hundreds of years ago. The Universalist Church of America was founded by 1793, and the American Unitarian Association by 1825. In 1961, these denominations consolidated to form the new religion of Unitarian Universalism. For more information, click here.
What are the directions to the Conejo Valley UU Fellowship?
Our address is 3327 Old Conejo Road, Newbury Park. CA.
From the South (Thousand Oaks): Take 101 Freeway to Newbury Park. Exit Wendy Drive south getting in the middle lane. Turn left onto Wendy and cross over the freeway. Turn right immediately at the signal onto Old Conejo Road.
From the North (Camarillo): Take 101 Freeway to Newbury Park. Exit Wendy Drive south and continue straight onto Old Conejo Road.
Proceed to the signal at Ruth Dr and turn right into the office complex. Ours are the last buildings on the left ahead toward the freeway. There is plenty of parking all the way back.
Am I a UU?
Only you can answer that question for sure. Many of our members have said, after discovering UUism, "I was a UU for years but just didn't know it yet!" There are several options that help you determine and decide if you identify with UUism. You can meet with our Minister or one of our lay ministers to discuss your beliefs, UUism, and how compatible they may be. Or visit a few of our Sunday services and see how you relate to our message and values. We have literature and information available as well. Some people have decided that UUism might be right for them after taking the "Belief-O-Matic" 20-question quiz on Beliefnet.com. We offer no official endorsement of the quiz, but if you'd like give it a whirl, click here.
Can Unitarian Universalists believe anything they want?
No. It is true that ours is a free faith and that individual Unitarian Universalists have many varied beliefs about spirituality. At same time, UUs affirm a set of shared principles that form the foundation of our faith. One could not be considered a Unitarian Universalist and hold beliefs that are in direct opposition or contradiction to the basic seven principles of Unitarian Universalism. Click here for these fundamental UU principles.
How does one become a member of CVUUF?
If you are ready to join our congregation, it's easy to become a member. Our path to membership includes three steps:
- To attend our two "Path to Membership" classes which provides an introduction to the congregation and to the principles and history of Unitarian Universalism.
- To sign our membership book and thereby declare yourself a part of the community.
- To pledge a financial contribution to the church. The amount is your personal decision. There are no minimums.
