Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta — Attraction in Brookhaven

I have visited the new church building about three times (never went to the previous building), and have watched a few services online. Although I did enjoy the worship, this will not be my church home, and I don't plan on returning anytime soon as a visitor.

Pros: The worship service was very modern and the ushers kept things organized, I liked the screens with the lyrics, words to prayers, etc. The music was good, and there was variety with readings and music. Overall, worship was very engaging.

Cons: This isn't unique to UUCA, but is a problem I keep encountering with churches in Atlanta, including UUCA. New visitors are left on their own. If there is a "Welcoming Committee," they didn't engage with me. I did connect to a social group at a sort of fair they had, where each church group had a display and representative chatting about the group. But when it came to Coffee Hour, nobody approached me. Folks clustered with people they already knew. I let this slide at the first service in their new building as I figured it was a sort of "reunion" or "homecoming" for members. But otherwise, I really only spoke with people in line by the food truck. I had a similar experience of being alone during subsequent visits. I did talk briefly to a couple I knew from outside of UUCA, but they then mingled with other people they knew. No one else came to me. I think UUCA needs some sort of group whose "job" on Sundays is to look for newcomers, greet them, actually talk to them, and then connect them with other people in the church with similar interests.

Also, and again, not unique to UUCA, but if you're a single person with no kids in your 30s, there isn't a fellowship group for you. I am on TBD's mailing list for now, but I'm definitely the youngest in the group.

Finally, although there is a bus stop by the church, the church is set back from the street. So you still have to walk a bit to get to the church entrance in the back, by the parking lot. It was built with drivers in mind, not pedestrians. No big deal when I had a car, but now I don't think it's worth the 90 min MARTA commute...

Anthony Makar is very welcoming with good, interesting sermons, and there are plenty of fun activities to participate in from a top-notch choir program, to various other music performance possibilities, to the Underground Theatre, to the Friday night music cabaret and spoken word sessions, to helping with the "bakery table," to looking through and buying new and used books from the bookstore, or checking out books from the library. And always someone who cares to talk to about anything, even outside of the lay minister program. Plenty of work that needs doing to build a better community and a better world, and plenty of fun to be had...

I have been a Unitarian since birth, being third generation and my two children the fourth. I loved the music at UUCA when I last attended, especially the gospel influences. Humanitarianism and universalism may not be for everybody but the inclusiveness, love and spirit of the congregation was/ and is very heartening and engaging. The universal ideal that each person matters and each should be allowed to follow their own path is also very compelling. The new building is getting its sea legs and I encourage progressive people to attend and see if they can find a home with us. Maybe I'll...