The answer to "Why did I first come to our church?" is simple: my mother brought me, even before I was born. But, I like to think that I would have been a UU on my own.

My UU upbringing, with its Sophia Fahs curriculum and emphasis on respect for others' beliefs and the freedom to think and question, served me well. I believe we practiced our Seven Principles long before we had them formalized in language we can remember with ease. And what a welcome addition to our UU culture those principles are. When I was growing up and got into conversations about what I believed, it seemed most of my statements started with " and I don't believe in...." Once the principles were adopted, my beliefs could and are stated in the positive.

Why do I continue to come to church? I believe we come to church to be a service to others. Yes, we'll benefit personally, but what a joy we may be to others we encounter, just be being there and making them feel welcome and a part of our UU community. Coming to church every Sunday is a high priority in my life. If the sermon doesn't interest me, the music does. Or the readings provide insight. Staring out at the woods calms me. I feel a part of our church in the woods. Being there makes my life better in so many ways. I cannot imagine my life without this church-not the building that is the church, but rather the people who are our UU Church of Muncie, what we do and how we serve each other and our broader community.

Being with other UUs every Sunday is a long-time habit that I have no intention of breaking any time soon for I need my church community in my life.