Wellness Policy

For in person services, we ask that attendees:

• Consider wearing a well-fitting mask while inside (all attendees over 3 years of age). This is recommended, but not required. If you do not have a mask, one can be provided for you.
• Practice good hygiene. Hand sanitizer will be provided.
• Please respect individual preferences for social distancing. Family groups may sit and remain together.
• Consider vaccinations and booster shots to protect against COVID as eligible. This is recommended for your own health and safety, but not required for service attendance.

If you are experiencing symptoms of illness or unable to participate in person, you are invited to stream our Sunday service online.

Please participate in the way that best meets your needs and preferences! Find out more on our Upcoming Services, Events, and Facebook Official and Group page.

You are always welcome!

Visitors and guests are welcome to attend any service of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Jackson either in person or virtually, depending upon the service offerings and your own needs/preferences. UUJXN embraces people of all ages, abilities, races, ethnicities, genders, identities, and family configurations and situations. We hope you and your family find home here!

What to wear

Feel free to come as you are! Please wear whatever makes you comfortable…be it coveralls, a cape, or a tutu. Most people are dressed in weekend casual wear while some prefer business casual. Children are encouraged to come dressed to engage in arts & crafts and play outdoors, as part of their classes.

Parking

If you arrive by car, parking is available on our grounds or along Hartfield Street. Our Sanctuary and Religious Education entrance is on Hartfield Street. Please reserve paved parking close to the entrance for those with mobility issues.

Arriving

Our members and friends will be eager to meet and connect with you! You may chat with everyone or just slip quietly into a seat–whatever makes you most comfortable. We do encourage you to fill out a visitor card located in the bookcase by the sanctuary door and drop it in the offering plate. Seating is open, so find a place that feels comfortable for you.

Accessibility

We have space for wheelchairs, canes, and walkers in our sanctuary. If you have concerns about accessibility, please contact us to let us know how we can make our facilities more accessible to meet your needs.

Children and Youth

Children and youth of all ages are welcome to attend the entire Sunday service with their family. We also provide Nursery care for infants and toddlers.

We provide mixed-age Religious Exploration classes where children and youth explore the church’s monthly theme and engage in a variety of activities. Elementary school age children are welcome to attend the UU Kids class which uses a Montessori-based Spirit Play approach. Our middle and high school children attend the YUUTH class during services and may also have activities at other times.

Service

Our services are a time together to find meaning and live more deeply, to create connections within, among, and beyond us, to call us to our better selves so we live with wisdom and compassion. Elements of our typical Sunday morning worship service include:

• Words of welcome
• Lighting our chalice, the symbol of our faith
• Music, both instrumental and vocal and in a variety of styles
• Readings—ancient or contemporary
• Meditations or prayers
• Homily or message given by a professional minister, a guest speaker, or a member of the congregation
• Offering, collecting financial donations for the support of the congregation and justice work in the community.
• Sharing of the joys and sorrows of the congregation

On most Sundays we have an Order of Service to serve as a guide to the service, including any words to read in unison or responsively or songs we will sing. Our hymnals include both songs and readings for worship. If the hymnal is needed for the service, they will be placed on the seats before you arrive. The service leader will let you know where to find readings, songs, and how they are to be performed (“Please rise, as you are willing and able, to sing hymn number 123” or “We will read number 591 responsively. I’ll read the regular type. The congregation will read the italics.”). If the hymnals will not be used, the words for readings or songs will be printed out for you and placed in the order of service.

Social Time

We have several opportunities for newcomers to connect with members and friends to learn more about the congregation and Unitarian Universalism.

Before Service, we have Coffee Social. You are welcome to help yourself to a cup of coffee, grab a snack, and to get to know our members and friends in person and online. After service, refill your coffee cup and stick around for more conversation!

At this time we will not hold potluck luncheons; however, on special occasions, we will hold picnics on the grounds. Please see Upcoming Services and Events for details.