| All About Our Church |
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Welcome!
We are the First Unitarian Church of Orlando, a Unitarian Universalist Congregation. We are a welcoming spiritually engaged community and the home of liberal religion in Central Florida since 1912.
Our Bond Unitarian Universalists search for truth along many paths. Instead of centering our religion on specific beliefs, we gather around shared moral values that include the inherent worth and dignity of every person. Ours is a convenental faith, asking for our mutual trust and support as we grow and explore. We celebrate our religious pluralism, which enriches our faith. We celebrate the exploration of the sacred and divine, found through differing practices, teachings and experiences. The following are the pillars of our bond at First Unitarian Church of Orlando: We affirm and promote:
Our Vision We are a dynamic, democratic, and diverse religious community, committed to lifelong spiritual growth and compassionate service. Our Missions To be a challenging and inclusive worship community To develop, nurture, and share our religious beliefs and practices To support life passages and struggles To promote social justice and model ecological responsibility To live our values and Unitarian Universalist principles To create a larger Unitarian Universalist presence in the community To celebrate our connections with creativity and joy Our Living Tradition The living tradition which we share draws from many sources:
In order to do my part in creating the Beloved Community at First Unitarian Church of Orlando, I agree to cultivate the following virtues: GRATITUDE: An embracing response of the heart to the richness and abundance life offers daily; thankfulness for the natural, rhythmic cycling of it all; the heart of a generous prayer cast wide. GOODWILL: The intention to look at one another with living, rather than accusing, eyes and hearts. MORAL COURAGE: Standing fast in support of religious or social convictions, particularly when doing so may result in ostracism, censure, threats, or harm; the soul work of learning to act in spite of fear. CREATIVE FIDELITY: Walking together without a map, always acknowledging each other’s freedom to change. HUMILITY: Being grounded in what is most essential, speaking gently, transcending self-will, and being honest about who we are. CIVILITY: A voluntary way of living and relating that respects others and reasonable societal norms, listens carefully, and may ask sacrifice and trust for the sake of the larger good. COMPASSION: Being in union with others in their passion and suffering; the spiritual discipline of opening our hearts and deepening our awareness of the interrelatedness of all things and expressing that awareness in the work of healing and service.
Our community is a hate free zone and that means we:
Our Minister! Jay Deacon began his career in the ministry of Metropolitan Comunity Churches, but found himself frequently accused of being “just a Unitarian anyway.” A bit of investigation revealed that he was guilty as charged. He transferred his credential to the UUA in 1982.
For nine years he served Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Oak Park, IL. During his first year there he guided the two UU congregations in Oak Park through a successful consolidation. He led the combined congregation through a process that led to a decision to grow and to inaugurate a second service and RE session. The congregation grew, and so did the staff, with the addition of a Coordinator of Lay Ministries and increasing the DRE position to fulltime. His adult education “Center for Spiritual Development” courses drew large numbers and deepened the congregation’s spiritual life. He used a sabbatical leave to serve two British congregations, in Aberdeen, Scotland and at Golder’s Green, London. His fondness for all things British can be seen in his car, a Mini Cooper. For four years he served the Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence in Western Massachusetts. He inaugurated a weekly hour-long radio program, Spirit. But when it became impossible to work with a new Board of Directors, he resigned from the Unitarian Society. The unexpected gift of time was the beginning of a profound spiritual quest, beginning with a retreat at EnlightenNext in Lenox, Mass. And it allowed him time to work seriously on a book, to be titled Magnificent Journey: Religion as Lock on the Past, or as Engine of Evolution. He served as Interim Minister at historic Unity Church (UU) in North Easton, Mass. during the 2007-08 program year. He is both a student and teacher of our own Transcendentalist tradition, which, in the 19th century, realized that Unitarianism must express and embody a dynamically evolutionary spirituality — and change the world. He brings a passion for evolutionary spirituality and to see Unitarian Universalism understand and take up its necessary place as both a voice and a flesh-and-blood expression of the spiritual revolution these times demand. Note: Jay is serving as interim minister at First Unitarian Church of Orlando for the program year 2008-09." Our Minister Emerita! The Reverend Marni Harmony was the minister of the First Unitarian Church of Orlando since 1988. Her educational background includes a BA in Religion fromTufts University ; a ThM in Psychology of Religion and Pastoral Care from Boston University School of Theology; an MSW with a major in Marriage and Family Studies from theUniversity of Wisconsin-Milwaukee ; and a D.Min (Doctorate of Ministry) from Columbia Seminary. Her dissertation was titled "The Challenge of Nontraditional Families to the Church."
Before being called to Orlando, she served as minister of Unitarian Universalist churches in State College, Pennsylvania and Brookfield, Wisconsin. Marni lives with her partner Nancy, their two cats and their dog Gus. She is the mother of a grown son (Kyle) and the grandmother of Kyle's children,Asia and Ethan. Marni is a longtime student of eastern religions and has a great love for aspects of each of the world's great religions. Her own spiritual path is strongly influenced by Buddhism. She took early Buddhist vows in 1989; then formally received the Buddhist precepts in 2001. "I believe the minister's role is to support each individual's religious and spiritual journey by encouraging, challenging, and providing opportunities for education and exchange. I also believe the minister can help create a congregational climate in which theological diversity can be welcomed and can thrive. Together, we learn to live into the great questions and the occasional discomfort of sometimes living without great answers! I also believe that we gather as a faith community (vs. a secular one). I hope that each person brings a commitment to keep deepening their understanding of what is holy and sacred, regardless of the language used." Note: Marni retired from First Unitarian in June 2008 and was awarded the title "Minister Emerita." FAQ 1. What is appropriate dress for a service?
2. Can children attend the service?
3. Should I expect to make a donation on my first visit?
4. Where can I learn more about Unitarian Universalism in general?
Our History
Photos and a more detailed history of our church.
Visitor Table
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| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 09 September 2008 ) |
If you are searching for a religious home that is guided by a quest for truth and meaning, not by a set creed or dogma, we invite you to discover Unitarian Universalism. We are a caring, open-minded religious community that encourages you to seek your own spiritual path.
He served as acting Director of Information at the UUA following the retirement of Carl Seaburg. Then, following the anti-gay murder of Charlie Howard in Bangor, Maine while on his way home from the Unitarian congregation there, Jay was called by that courageous congregation. Next, as Director of the UUA Office of Lesbian and Gay Concerns, he conducted an examination of UU attitudes, and UU response, to GLBT people, and designed the Welcoming Congregation Program, gaining its overwhelming adoption by the 1989 General Assembly.
Raised Unitarian Universalist, Marni has a deep love and commitment to our faith tradition and to promoting healthy, intergenerational faith communities. After her ordination in 1974, she spent a year each as a hospital chaplain, an interim minister, and a college chaplain. She also spent a couple of years as a psychotherapist after receiving her MSW.
Orlando Unitarian Universalists can trace their roots back to 1912, when Reverend Eleanor Gordon was the first minister to a church formed with 21 members. Building Unity Chapel in 1913, the group shared literary and spirited discussions, fostered by transplanted Unitarians from up North seeking liberal religion in Central Florida. Property in an orange grove at the corner of Robinson and Hampton east of town was purchased in 1954. The congregation moved from Lake Eola to this property (our present site) once children's religious education classrooms and a social/worship hall were built in 1958. Gore Hall was completed in 1963 and served as a worship facility for many years. The current modern sanctuary was dedicated in January of 1995.
We would love to have you join us at our Sunday service. There is a greeter who can help you with a name tag, a newcomer's packet and directions around the church. Join us following service, for coffee and conversation in Gore Hall, across the patio. Folks will be at the Visitor Table, ready to chat, and answer questions you might have.