Unitarian church marks 10th year
SLIPPERY ROCK — Ginger Hill Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 174 S. Main St., will mark a decade as a member congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association with a special service Sunday.
Sunday's service beginning at 11 a.m. will feature a video message from UUA President Peter Morales followed by a celebratory fall harvest potluck dinner. Church members, friends and the general public are invited to attend.
“We average between 30 and 35 members, in addition to friends who come fairly regularly, ”said Ginger Hill board of trustees member Becky Lubold of Slippery Rock, who has been a congregation member since 2007.
The congregation's yearlong commemoration has the theme, “Roots and Wings; Rooted in our past, growing toward a bright future.”
Sunday services throughout the year have related the church's history, remembered milestones and envisioned further growth and accomplishments.
After its initial inception in 2003, as a small group of people meeting in one another's homes, the congregation purchased a building on Main Street in Slippery Rock and was formally accepted as a member congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association in October 2004.
Since then, the local congregation has become a faith community, recognized among other churches in the Slippery Rock area through its social and environmental justice efforts, according to Lubold.
“I would say we are a liberal faith that accepts and encourages people to search for their own answers and find their own spiritual path,” said Lubold. “We are welcoming to all seeking and wanting to learn.”
One of those seeking was Ginger Hill's present board President Jeff Simmons of Zelienople.
“I was looking to explore what I believed in terms of religion,” said Simmons. “I heard good things about Unitarian Universalist churches. I got on the computer and found Ginger Hill in the county.”The congregation has been accredited as a Green Sanctuary in recognition of its commitment and action toward living sustainably as individual members and as a group.Ginger Hill has also been designated a Welcoming Congregation, openly inviting, accepting and promoting inclusion, understanding and equity for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered individuals and families within the denomination and society.Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote seven principles, and share a “living tradition” of wisdom and spirituality, drawn from many sources.As a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association, the congregation invites people of all backgrounds and beliefs to explore, to learn and to live their faith through action.“I really like the way Unitarian Universalists focus on doing good things in the world,” said Simmons. “I also like the way the Unitarian Universalists work to make the world a better place and the focus on the connection between people and being thankful for the people around us and the natural surroundings in which we live.”“We stress that our congregation and our faith is one that respects different world religions and takes inspiration and much learning from other religions,” said Simmons. “We also have reliance on science and reason.”Lubold said the congregation will have its annual retreat Oct. 24 to 26 at a wooded location near Moraine State Park.“We'll take a look at our future during this retreat,” Lubold said. “We've looked back on our accomplishments, now we are going to start looking to the future, our growth and impact.”Simmons said Ginger Hill hopes to have more special guest speakers at future Sunday services.More information about the congregation and its activities can be found on its website: http://gingerhilluuc.org/ or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GingerHillUU.
