Unitarian Universalist Church in Surprise
A Progressive, Inclusive Faith Community
We are the Unitarian Universalist Church in Surprise, Arizona. We provide a religious and spiritual home for open-minded, community-involved people in the northwest valley.
We welcome you!
Services are held Sundays at 10:30am. Visitors are always welcome. Coffee and snacks are served during the social hour following the service.
17540 N Avenue of the Arts
Surprise, AZ 85378
(623) 875-2550
RECENT SERVICE
Services are being held in a hybrid manner: both in-person and live-streamed. CLICK HERE to view the live-streamed service.
May 28, 2023
A Soldier’s Tale
Jim Reay Preaching
Memorial Day is a solemn reminder of the millions of Americans who tragically lost their lives while serving our country. Jim Reay shares what this holiday means to him as he relates his experience as a young soldier drafted to serve in Vietnam.
UPCOMING SERVICE
June 4, 2023
Flower Communion Centennial
Rev. Samuel Schaal
A well-known Unitarian Universalist tradition is the Flower Communion, introduced in 1923 by Czechoslovakian minister Norbert Čapek. Behind the beautiful ritual of celebrating community was a resistance to the growing oppression of the Nazi regime.
“Freedom of belief is the characteristic theme of contemporary Unitarian Universalism. We are a non-creedal church. There is no doctrinal test for membership. Instead, we have chosen a heritage that places the final authority for religious questions not with a book, the Bible, nor with an institution, the church, but with reason and individual conscience. A Unitarian Universalist, led by his or her reason and conscience to a belief in the unique mission of Jesus, may sit beside another Unitarian Universalist similarly led, who denies the existence of God.” — Reverend Emeritus Dr. Walter F. Wieder
“Freedom of belief is the characteristic theme of contemporary Unitarian Universalism. We are a non-creedal church. There is no doctrinal test for membership. Instead, we have chosen a heritage that places the final authority for religious questions not with a book, the Bible, nor with an institution, the church, but with reason and individual conscience. A Unitarian Universalist, led by his or her reason and conscience to a belief in the unique mission of Jesus, may sit beside another Unitarian Universalist similarly led, who denies the existence of God.”
— Reverend Emeritus Dr. Walter F. Wieder
Whoever you are, wherever you have come from, here you will find a safe place to gather, explore and celebrate together. We believe all human beings need to search freely and responsibly for truth and meaning. We believe all of us should be treated with justice, equity, and compassion. And we believe that we are only a part of the interdependent web of all existence.
If you are new to the Phoenix area, or “church”, or Unitarian Universalism, or to all three, we would be very pleased to meet you. Thank you for visiting this website and for letting us introduce our congregation! We look forward to seeing you in person.
Rev. Samuel Schaal
Transition Minister
Whoever you are, wherever you have come from, here you will find a safe place to gather, explore and celebrate together. We believe all human beings need to search freely and responsibly for truth and meaning. We believe all of us should be treated with justice, equity, and compassion. And we believe that we are only a part of the interdependent web of all existence.
If you are new to the Phoenix area, or “church”, or Unitarian Universalism, or to all three, we would be very pleased to meet you. Thank you for visiting this website and for letting us introduce our congregation! We look forward to seeing you in person.
Rev. Samuel Schaal
Transition Minister
WE ARE A WELCOMING CONGREGATION
In 1987 the Unitarian Universalist Association established the Common Vision Planning Committee. This committee found many negative attitudes, deep prejudices, and profound ignorance about bisexual, gay, and lesbian people, which resulted in the exclusion of bisexual, gay, and lesbian people from their churches. As a result of these findings, the delegates of the 1989 UUA General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to initiate the Welcoming Congregation program to educate its members. Each congregation adapts the program to best meet its goals and each unique situation can bring positive changes to individuals and congregations.
BED AND BREAKFAST PROGRAM
Church members offer guest rooms in their homes for short term stays. All proceeds go to the UU Church of Surprise. Send inquiries along with your contact information to [email protected]
SUSTAINABLE LIVING
Creating a sustainable way of life is central to our view of a just and compassionate world
WE ARE A WELCOMING CONGREGATION
In 1987 the Unitarian Universalist Association established the Common Vision Planning Committee. This committee found many negative attitudes, deep prejudices, and profound ignorance about bisexual, gay, and lesbian people, which resulted in the exclusion of bisexual, gay, and lesbian people from their churches. As a result of these findings, the delegates of the 1989 UUA General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to initiate the Welcoming Congregation program to educate its members. Each congregation adapts the program to best meet its goals and each unique situation can bring positive changes to individuals and congregations.
SUSTAINABLE LIVING
Creating a sustainable way of life is central to our view of a just and compassionate world.
Unitarian Universalist Church in Surprise
We welcome you!
Sundays at 10:30am
17540 N Avenue of the Arts
Surprise, AZ 85378
(623) 875-2550
A Progressive, Inclusive Faith Community