Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Norwich
67 - 69 Main Street
Norwich, CT 06360
https://facebook.com/UUNorwich
Contact Us! 860-889-1062
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Norwich offers an avenue where individuals can come together, learn from each other and within community, and become stronger in their faith. Click on the video below to see "We Are Unitarian Universalists" (approx 3 minutes) or continue reading to learn more about our religious community in Norwich, CT.
WGBH News: All Things Considered by Barbara Howard
Listen: Bending toward Justice, From Abolition to the Oval Office
Unitarian Universalist Association Principles
We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote:
The living tradition, which we share, draws from many sources:
We gather as a religious community in the spirit of gratitude, hope, and love as individuals and as a congregation.
Aware that the culture we create is a product of the words we speak and the deeds we do, we covenant to affirm and promote:
Why I am a Unitarian Universalist
I arrived from Longtown, SC in 1957 as a young mother with a small child. In my search for a home church, I was surprised to learn that black church folks focused on my clothes because they did not match.
Members of a white church, exhibiting facial expressions of horror, would move if I sat next to them.
I stopped going to church and began to spend time drinking coffee at the Thorn Coffeehouse, where I met the Rev. Tharald Olfson. He invited me to the Unitarian Universalist Church where I met people from all walks of life. I was welcomed. It did not matter that I had little money.
I was with people who shared similar beliefs of fairness -- the right to question and the right to protest. I found a religious home. Lottie B. Scott.
Why I joined the Unitarian Universalist Church of Norwich
During a period of alienation from Judaism, my life long religion, I stumbled across UUCN and decided to attend a service. I was immediately drawn in by the fascinating sermon, beautiful piano music, and lively discussion following the service.
I was also intrigued by the people and their many differences. It was as diverse a religious community as I had ever seen.
Eventually, I found my way back to Judaism and now belong to a synagogue in Norwich. But I am still a proud member of UUCN as well. My two religious homes complement and complete each other.
I am grateful to UUCN for the opportunity to express my religious feelings in more than one way and in more than one setting. I am also grateful for the opportunity to help my local community and a distant land that desperately needs what we can offer.
At UUCN, we want to serve, and we do. Wayne Silver.
Why I am a Unitarian Universalist
I was not raised with a "home church." My parents wanted us to attend services, but their variable work schedules as hospital employees didn't often allow for it as they had different days off each week. When I married my husband of now 27 years, we started out attending the local church of the same denomination that he grew up in.
I loved the people, but not the "women as second-class citizen" that I felt from the leadership at times. We left that church when too much "Do as I say, not as I Do" became evident.
Two respected families in our area invited us to attend a Kwanzaa ceremony at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Norwich, and we've been attending services ever since - over 20 years now.
The Unitarian Universalist Church was the first I'd been to that lived and practiced the principle of seeing the inherent worth and dignity of all people - no matter who they were. The first time I volunteered at a Community Meal and saw that whoever walked through the door was fed, my heart swelled, and I knew this would be my church home.
Here I have been challenged, taught, loved, corrected, fed and supported, and in December 2021, I graduated with my Master of Divinity degree from the Starr King School for the Ministry in May,2022, and I'm SO happy that I'm here!
Aaron "Al" Daniels is a 30+ year resident of Eastern CT, including spending 21 years serving on U.S. Naval Submarines. He retired in 2001 as a Chief Petty Officer and shortly thereafter began a career at Norwich Public Utilities, where he works as a Watch Engineer.
Al's love of music (he's a professional percussionist and plays with multiple bands), and the community (including serving on the Board of TVCCA and the Norwich Board of Education) keep him busy.
He also loves aviation (he holds a private pilot's license with multi-engine endorsement, and is a Founding Member and Past President of the Flight Officer Connie Nappier Jr. chapter of Black Pilots of America).
He brings diverse and thoughtful subjects to his sermons, along with an easy laugh and encouraging spirit.