Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

(Adapted from the "Getting to know Neighborhood Church" pamphlet)

1. What is Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church?
2. What are the Unitarian Universalist roots?
3. What is the history of the church?
4. When are the church services?
5. Who are the Ministers?
6. Is there Religious Education for children and adults?
7. What about fun and fellowship?
8. How does the church put its beliefs into action?
9. How does the church organization operate?
10. How is the church funded?
11. What does becoming a member entail?
12. How can I learn more about Neighborhood Church?
13. What do I do to join?
14. Where is Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church?
15. What is Unitarian Universalism (UU)?

What is Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church?

A spiritual home...a community...a place for celebration, exploration and personal growth. Neighborhood Church is all of these and more.

There are many ways for you to learn about Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church: Join us for services; enjoy our exceptional music; participate in religious education; receive our newsletter; stroll through our beautiful grounds. In these experiences and others you will discover who we are and are what we value and decide if you feel at home among us.

As individuals, we come from many backgrounds - Unitarian Universalist, Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Atheist, Agnostic, Pagan and other traditions. We take pride in our differences, and from this diversity comes our strength. We welcome new members without regard to race, gender or sexual orientation, and are pleased to note our continuing growth in membership, in pledging, and in the capacity to serve the needs of our congregation and the community at large.

Everyone who seeks a church affiliation comes looking for something important, valuable and spiritually meaningful. We hope you find it here.

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What are the Unitarian Universalist roots?

The Unitarian movement began in Europe during the Reformation in the 1500s in opposition to the Christian doctrine of a holy trinity. Viewing God as a single, unitary spiritual force, the movement's pioneers became known as "Unitarians." Universalism traces its roots to colonial America, where church pioneers advanced the idea of a kind and loving God offering universal salvation based on the supreme worth of every individual.

In 1961, Unitarian and Universalist organizations merged to form the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), whose members today share a theology that expands beyond its roots in liberal Christianity to encompass the teachings and texts of many world religions, as well as the wisdom and insights of science, literature and the arts.

UUA beliefs are summarized in our weekly Order of Service, discussed frequently in sermons, and explored in greater depth in a variety of books available for purchase following our Sunday services.

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What is the history of the church?

The story of Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church begins in 1885 with the founding of the First Congregational Church of Pasadena, located at the corner of Pasadena Avenue and California Boulevard. In 1903, the congregation voted to divide into two separate institutions, one to serve Pasadena's growing east side population and one to continue serving the west side neighborhood surrounding the original site.

In 1924, the "neighborhood" church merged with Pasadena's first Unitarian Church to form a non-denominational institution which was dually affiliated with both the Congregational and Unitarian churches. This church later became known simply as Neighborhood Church, which in time affiliated exclusively with the UUA.

In 1969, Neighborhood Church relocated to its present site, acquiring an historic home designed by architects Greene and Greene, and constructing a sanctuary and classrooms on the surrounding property.

Today, with over 600 members, Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church is among the nation's larger and better attended UUA congregations.

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When are the church services?

Sunday Services are held weekly at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., except during the summer. For details on the summer schedule, please refer to the Neighborhood Church newsletters or check with the church office. Audio tapes and CDs of each week's sermon are available for purchase on the patio immediately after the service.

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Who are the Ministers?

Reverend Dr. Jim Nelson, Senior Minister "I am a full-blooded Scandinavian from the upper Midwest. I grew up a Lutheran in a great family. I attended Lawrence University in Appleton, WI, then earned a PhD at the University of Iowa with a dissertation on Herman Melville (who was a Unitarian, by the way). I worked on Capital Hill for a while, before entering the ministry. I worked as a chaplain for two years at a large federal psychiatric hospital, then was called to Costa Mesa. I served there nine years when I was called to a large congregation in Fairfax County, VA, where I served for ten years. This past year I have been a chaplain for Hospice."
Reverend Kathleen Owens, Assistant Minister Kathleen Owens joined Neighborhood Church as the new Assistant Minister on August 15th. Kathleen received her Master’s of Divinity from Starr King School for the Ministry in the spring of 2004, and was ordained in Berkeley on October 3rd 2004. She became a UU in the mid ’90s and considers the UU Church of Berkeley to be her home church, a church where she was an active lay leader particularly involved in RE. She held a number of positions before coming to the ministry, including work in non-profit orgnizations and teaching high school English. In her internship at the UU Fellowship in Sunnyvale, the senior minister was on sabbatical for six months, so she was the acting senior minister and had more responsibilities than most interns. Kathleen grew up in Indiana, and her family still lives there. She will work closely with Jim and the rest of the staff, sharing projects and programs as is appropriate. She will be the primary liaison for the Religious Education Committee.
Reverend Brandoch Lovely, Minister Emeritus The Reverend Brandoch Lovely, minister emeritus, retired from Neighborhood Church in 1992 after more than 20 years of service. A graduate of Harvard College, he received in doctorate from Harvard Divinity School. A life-long Unitarian, he came to Neighborhood Church in 1970 after serving congregations in Massachusetts and Texas.

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Is there Religious Education for children and adults?

Sunday school classes for children and young adults explore Judeo-Christian history and traditions, world religions and Unitarian Universalist history and traditions. Unitarian Universalist principles and purposes appear throughout, helping to teach the values we hold as a religious community.

Holidays are celebrated with special inter-generational services, and annual traditions such as Christmas Eve services, Yule Log decoration, Passover Seder, Easter Egg Hunt, and the early June Flower Communion.

During the school year, Sunday school classes for elementary and middle-school children are offered at both 9:30 am and 11:30 am services; high school classes meet once at 11:00 am. Childcare is available at both Sunday services for infants, toddlers and pre-school children. Please note that families are requested to choose one service or the other for regular attendance. In summer, childcare for younger children is available during services; older children are welcome in the Sanctuary. Please stop by the R.E. table Sundays for more infomation.

For adults, the Sunday Focus series presents guest speakers who address a variety of topics relating to religion, ethics, and spirituality. Sunday Focus is held in the Neighborhood House between the two services. See the Adult Programs table for more information.

While church membership is not required to take part in religious education programs, we know from experience that a family commitment to membership adds a valuable dimension to participation. The act of officially joining the church is also a powerful demonstration to our children that we take seriously our responsiblities for building a shared religious community.

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What about fun and fellowship?

Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church hosts a wide range of programs for socializing, including picnics, potlucks, dinners, celebrations and special events. Various church committees schedule activites throughout the year, including trips, live performance events, book and plant sales, flea markets and more. For details, please see our newsletter for upcoming events, or click the "Get Involved" button on the left.

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How does the church put its beliefs into action?

From outreach programs to interned Japanese Americans during World War II, to the battle for fair housing in the 1960's, to leadership in the development of inter-faith understanding in the 1990's, Neighborhood Church has a long tradition of service to the larger community.

Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church currently funds programs and organizes volunteers in support of community programs for the homeless, battered and abused women, and young people. Arts Camp, Adopt-A-School, and the Young and Healthy program provide opportunities for volunteers to work together in pursuit of a more humane community. By contributing to the separately funded Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC), members of our church also support social service programs at national and international levels.

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How does the church organization operate?

Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church is member of the Pacific Southwest District of the UUA, which covers Southern California, Nevada and Arizona. UUA Churches are democratically run institutions, with the power to select and approve their own ministers. Church policy, budgets, and programs at this church are overseen by a Board of Trustees. Church work is shared by 27 separate committees, staffed by some 300 volunteers. Board of Trustee and committee appointments are recommended annually by a nominating committee and subject to annual confirmation by the congregation at large. The church budget and all major non-budget expenses are subject to congregational review and approval by majority vote.

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How is the church funded?

Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church programs, facilities, and operations are funded by contributions from pledging members and friends. After an initial period of two to three months, during which everyone is welcome to share in our activities and events, newcomers will be contacted by a representative of the Stewardship Committee to discuss pledging. While no one will tell you how much to pledge, and no one will be turned away for an inability to pledge, an annual pledge is requested of everyone. To obtain pledging guidelines, or to make a pledge directly, please contact the Stewardship Committee, or contact the Church. In addition to regular pledging, the long term growth and care of Neighborhood Church is made possible, in part, through the loving and generous donations received by means of individual bequests and lifetime planned gifts. To learn more, click on Planned Giving.

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What does becoming a member entail?

Many people (especially those who have never belonged to a church before) rightly wonder what responsibilities come along with membership. As a member of Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church, you are responsible in at least three ways: To yourself, you owe the pursuit of a personal spiritual journey. To others, you owe participation as a member of a shared community. To the institution, you owe a commitment of financial support in the form of an annual pledge.

If you're interested in learning more about church membership, please plan to attend a Newcomer Meeting. These lay-led gatherings, which take about 50 minutes, occur weekly after each service on Sunday in the dining room of Neighborhood House, providing you with an opportunity to meet and talk informally with church leaders. Children are welcome.

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How can I learn more about Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church?

There are several ways to learn more about Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church:

• Visit the Welcome Table on Sunday mornings, where you may receive a name tag and sign up for a 3-month introductory subscription to our newsletter.
• Attend a Sunday morning Orientation, held between services in the dining room, and open to everyone who wants to know more about Neighborhood Church.
• Contact our Membership Committee.
• For information about pastoral counseling, facility rentals, or other church-related business, please call church administrator Alyssa Bellew at 626-449-3470. Church office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Contact Evelia Sauceda, who is in the church directory, for wedding information.
• See the building plans and pictures of the grounds here.
  

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What do I do to join?

To become a member of Neighborhood Church, please call the church office to set up an appointment with one of our ministers. You may also attend one of our quarterly "New to Neighborhood" programs, which provide information on membership and help new members to connect with the church community. The names of new members are read and accepted at monthly meetings of the Board of Trustees. New members are invited to be introduced to the congregation at Welcoming Ceremonies held at various Sunday services. New Member Dinners, hosted by the Membership Committee, provide an opportunity for recently joined members to meet new and long-time members alike.

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Where is Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church?

Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church is just North of the 134 Freeway at 301 North Orange Grove Boulevard. We are located next to Pacific Oaks College and the Gamble House on the west side of the boulevard. (Click on the image at right to view a map of the area.)

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What is Unitarian-Universalism about?

The Principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA)

• We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote:
  • The inherent dignity and worth of every person;
  • Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
  • Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
  • A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
  • The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
  • The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
  • Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part;
• The living tradition which we share draws from many sources:
  • Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;
  • Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;
  • Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
  • Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
  • Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.
  • Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
• Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision. As free congregations we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust and support.
  

The Purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association

• The Unitarian Universalist Association shall devote its resources to and exercise its corporate powers for religious, educational and humanitarian purposes. The primary purpose of the Association is to serve the needs of its member congregations, organize new congregations, extend and strengthen Unitarian Universalist institutions and implement its principles.
• The Association declares and affirms its special responsibility, and that of its member societies and organizations, to promote the full participation of persons in all of its and their activities and in the full range of human endeavor without regard to race, color, sex, disability, affectional or sexual orientation, age, or national origin and without requiring adherence to any particular interpretation of religion or to any particular religious belief or creed.
• Nothing herein shall be deemed to infringe upon the individual freedom of belief which is inherent in the Universalist and Unitarian heritages or to conflict with any statement of purpose, covenant, or bond of union used by any society unless such is used as a creedal test.

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