What is Throop?
Throop is a Unitarian Universalist congregation. We are a warm, welcoming spiritual home for people who seek meaning and belonging in their lives with a liberal religious community that centers care for Earth and justice for people.
We understand there are many paths toward truth and meaning, and that our search for spiritual growth is enhanced when we are in a supportive community. At Throop, you will hear us say we “go out and love the world,” and we do that by loving our whole selves, by moving toward more just relationships with people and communities outside our church, and by nurturing the health and well-being of our planet and all life itself.
At Throop, you will be surrounded by people all along the religious and theological spectrum - agnostics, atheists, Buddhists, Christians, earth-centered practitioners, humanists, Jews, Pantheists, and more. We are not united by a set of shared beliefs. However, Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote our Six Values, centered around Love, as well as the Chalice flame which is at the center of our ritual worship.
We believe the questions are more important than the answers, and we invite you to wonder about the world with us and to help us bend the arc of the universe ever closer toward justice.
We understand there are many paths toward truth and meaning, and that our search for spiritual growth is enhanced when we are in a supportive community. At Throop, you will hear us say we “go out and love the world,” and we do that by loving our whole selves, by moving toward more just relationships with people and communities outside our church, and by nurturing the health and well-being of our planet and all life itself.
At Throop, you will be surrounded by people all along the religious and theological spectrum - agnostics, atheists, Buddhists, Christians, earth-centered practitioners, humanists, Jews, Pantheists, and more. We are not united by a set of shared beliefs. However, Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote our Six Values, centered around Love, as well as the Chalice flame which is at the center of our ritual worship.
We believe the questions are more important than the answers, and we invite you to wonder about the world with us and to help us bend the arc of the universe ever closer toward justice.
What can I expect on Sundays?
The Sunday morning experience at Throop is warm and welcoming, vital, and vibrant.
Before the Sunday service you’ll find people tending to the garden, moving together in Tai Chi, learning together in the adult discussion group.
During the service, you’ll sing some hymns (ones that sound more traditional and ones that sound more contemporary), you’ll hear stories, you’ll hear music performed by our choir or by special guests. You’ll be invited into times of silence and times of laughter. You’ll hear one of our ministers or lay preachers reflect on contemporary issues and how they impact our lives. Our goal is you will leave feeling connected to yourself, to others, and what you name as sacred; we want you to leave feeling hopeful and inspired to live a whole-hearted life of meaning.
You will hear words like worship, spirit, God, no god, breath of life. We invite you to interpret and make sense of religious language in a way that supports your own spiritual and religious journey.
After the service, you are invited to a coffee hour. Most Sundays there are meetings or classes that take place after coffee hour.
You will meet families, single people, married couples. You will meet young people, middle-aged people, and beloved elders. You will meet people who took the bus, rode a bike, walked over, or drove a vehicle. You will meet gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and heterosexual people. You will meet multi-faith families and 4th generation Unitarian Universalists. You will meet people from many races, ethnicities, socio-ethnic backgrounds, professions and passions.
Expect to be welcomed just as you are when you come through our doors.
Before the Sunday service you’ll find people tending to the garden, moving together in Tai Chi, learning together in the adult discussion group.
During the service, you’ll sing some hymns (ones that sound more traditional and ones that sound more contemporary), you’ll hear stories, you’ll hear music performed by our choir or by special guests. You’ll be invited into times of silence and times of laughter. You’ll hear one of our ministers or lay preachers reflect on contemporary issues and how they impact our lives. Our goal is you will leave feeling connected to yourself, to others, and what you name as sacred; we want you to leave feeling hopeful and inspired to live a whole-hearted life of meaning.
You will hear words like worship, spirit, God, no god, breath of life. We invite you to interpret and make sense of religious language in a way that supports your own spiritual and religious journey.
After the service, you are invited to a coffee hour. Most Sundays there are meetings or classes that take place after coffee hour.
You will meet families, single people, married couples. You will meet young people, middle-aged people, and beloved elders. You will meet people who took the bus, rode a bike, walked over, or drove a vehicle. You will meet gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and heterosexual people. You will meet multi-faith families and 4th generation Unitarian Universalists. You will meet people from many races, ethnicities, socio-ethnic backgrounds, professions and passions.
Expect to be welcomed just as you are when you come through our doors.
What should I wear?
When you arrive at Throop, you’ll find people wearing their gardening gear, others in their “Sunday best,” and others in jeans and a T-shirt. We look forward to meeting you in the clothes that feel right for you on Sunday morning.
What about my children?
Your children are welcome at Throop! Families worship together in the sanctuary for the first 15 minutes or so of the service. After the Lesson for the day, elementary-aged children and program leaders are invited to go to “Kids Dig In!”, our children’s ministry focused on the 7 Unitarian Universalist principles. Parents are always welcome to attend the program with their children.
We offer a nursery program for families with infants and toddlers, with a spacious, child-focused exploration area. We do ask that a parent or guardian stay with their child during the nursery program.
We offer a nursery program for families with infants and toddlers, with a spacious, child-focused exploration area. We do ask that a parent or guardian stay with their child during the nursery program.
How do I get involved?
Almost all of Throop’s programs and activities are open to visitors and newcomers. The week’s activities are listed in our Sunday Bulletin and in our Tuesday Tidings e-newsletter. Sometimes a program or activity asks for an RSVP; this is so the leader can have enough chairs or materials ready. Getting involved outside of the Sunday morning worship experience is a great way to deepen connections, make friends, and further develop your spiritual life.
I see a dog in your photos. May I bring mine?
Is your dog friendly and comfortable around people and other dogs? If the answer is yes, then your dog is welcome to join us for worship. If at any time they become agitated or uncomfortable, we ask that you take your dog outside. Dogs must be on a leash when on our property.
