Some Practical Matters

What time does the service begin?   11:15 a.m. every Sunday.

During the school year, an adult religious education class, to which visitors are cordially invited, meets from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., so someone will be in the building to greet you from ten o’clock on, but "church" starts promptly at 11:15. Unless they attend adult r.e., few people get to church early, so most folks arrive between 11:00 and 11:15.

What time does the service end?   Between 12:15 and 12:30.

The service almost never lasts longer than 12:30. We have "Coffee and Conversation" in the foyer immediately after the service with coffee, tea, juice, and usually cookies, cake, crackers, fruit or cheese available. We hope visitors will linger for a little while after the service so that we can get to know you.

What do I wear?   Dress at RRUU is casual but not sloppy.

You will seldom see men in a tie (except sometimes the minister). Women usually wear casual dresses or slacks. Clean jeans and even shorts are ok, especially in the summertime. We hope, however, that people realize that worship time is a sacred time and dress appropriately.

What about children?   Bring ‘em on!

Children of all ages are most welcome at RRUU, both in the worship service and in our children’s religious education classes.

Children in preschool through fourth grade typically begin the worship service in the sanctuary with their families and then leave with the children’s r.e. teachers for Sunday school about 15 to 20 minutes into the service. This allows children to be present for the opening hymn, the spoken affirmation, the offertory, and a Children’s Sermon or Story, prepared especially for them, without having to sit through the whole service. Visiting children are most welcome to attend the Sunday school class or to stay in the sanctuary with their families.

Infants and toddlers may stay in church with their families or may be cared for in the nursery. Two very capable adult women who are employees of the church staff the nursery. Childcare is provided for the 10:00 adult r.e. class, the worship service and most other activities of the church.

If you have babies or children of any age with you in the sanctuary, you may want to sit toward the back near the door in case they get restless or upset and you need to take them out.

What will be expected of me?   Not much!

You will not be asked to speak or even stand up to be recognized as visitors. You are cordially invited to join in singing the hymns, saying the spoken affirmation that will be printed in the Order of Worship, reading responsively or doing whatever other people in the pews are doing -- but you don’t have to! If you are more comfortable doing so, feel free to stand but not sing or read, or even to sit quietly while others stand: there are a number of folks who don’t stand because they are unable to do so, so it won’t look odd for you to remain seated.

An offering will be taken as a part of the service, but visitors are certainly not expected to contribute.

At the beginning of the service, we usually have a time called "Candles of Community" when folks can tell the congregation about important things going on in their own lives or in the world, and candles are lit for those joys, sorrows and concerns. Guests are most welcome to speak during this time but are not expected to.

We would like for you to sign the guest book on the table in the foyer so we can send you a copy of our monthly newsletter. And we hope you will have time to linger for a few minutes after the service for some "Coffee and Conversation".