We welcome you to join us at 1U, the First Unitarian Church of Orlando, as we explore our Unitarian Universalist faith, which draws us into a community of justice-seekers with a commitment to lifelong spiritual growth and compassionate service to the community.

Whoever you are, whoever you love, you are welcome here.

What should I expect at a Sunday morning service?  Our services begin at 10:30am every Sunday. They are generally about an hour in length, are designed to honor our traditions, to connect us with that which is larger than ourselves, to awaken us to awe and wonder, to deepen our spiritual journeys, and inspire us to acts of justice and compassion: our services are meant to nurture your spirit and to help heal our world.

Expect to be moved, challenged, stimulated, and valued. Our worship services are in many ways traditional: we sing hymns, enjoy music and songs from our choir and other musical groups, read from classic texts and sometimes scripture, pause for meditation and silence, and hear a sermon. Our services are in many ways untraditional: we read from cutting-edge authors and hear messages that may draw upon ancient wisdom or today’s headlines. Sometimes, short video clips are included. 

Wondering what to wear? At our regular Sunday services, you’ll see people in a wide range of clothing choices, from “Sunday best” to very casual attire. Please wear what helps you feel most comfortable.

What about children?  Parents can drop off babies and toddlers in our nursery on Sunday morning. We also have a “Wiggle Room” in the Sanctuary where babies or toddlers might prefer to rock, play, or be fed, while parents can view the service through the window and listen to the audio through speakers.

School-age children and youth can attend our vigorous Children’s Religious Enrichment program.

Children and youth can attend the 10:30am worship service with their family and stay through the “Words for All Ages” segment; after that, they can either remain with their family or join the children who are escorted to children’s activities. 

What symbols do you display in your church? Our chalice is the main symbol of our faith and is located at the front of our Sanctuary. To Unitarian Universalists, the flaming chalice is a symbol of hope, the sacred, the quest for truth, the warmth of community, the light of reason, and more.

We also have a sculpture on the back wall of the Sanctuary honoring our welcoming of the world’s religious traditions.

Where should I park? How do I get to the Sanctuary? Enter our parking area from Hampton Avenue. Parking spaces are available in this lot north of our fellowship hall [Gore Hall] or you can continue on to more spaces wrapped around the circular driveway in front of the Enrichment Center. There are designated spaces near the accessible entrance to the Sanctuary for vehicles with Disabled Parking Permits and also for those with special needs. Walk between Gore Hall and the Enrichment Center to get to our Sanctuary. There is more information and a map here.

Will I have to contribute to the offering? Please be our guest and let the collection basket pass you by your first couple visits.

How do I meet other people? How do I get involved? Attend a service in our Sanctuary. You will be greeted at the welcome table by our Sanctuary doors where you can learn about small-group opportunities for education and spiritual growth. Stay for coffee and conversation in Gore Hall and the courtyard following the service. 

Consider whether you prefer to meet new people in social or group-related activities, since we offer plenty of both options. For example, you can enroll in life-enriching adult education classes [learn more here] or join any number of our groups to work on specific projects that match your skills and interests. This website has a lot of information about our social outreach projects, social groups, and work on our various teams.

Looking for fellowship and community? Check out our Congregational Life pages and Weekly Update newsletter to find ways to connect. We change lives for the better.

Want to learn more about our faith and becoming a member? Attend one or more of our Conversations with the Minister sessions, which are offered on the third Sunday of each month right after the worship service (details in the Weekly Update newsletter). The next step is to attend our Path to Membership Series.

Explore our website! We invite you to view our past services on YouTube or our blog. As you explore our website and learn about our faith and our beliefs, feel free to contact us with your questions. We look forward to meeting you and helping you find what you need.

With faith, hope, and love,
Rev. Margalie Belizaire and the 1U team