“Here is the church, here is the steeple. Open the doors and see all the people.” The children understand: the church is nothing without the community that sustains it.
What a delight it was to move to Charlottesville, after having lived in the same area for 33 years, and find instant friendship among like-minded liberals. No fuss, no muss–just acceptance. Eleven years later I am still grateful for this loving community of TJMC.
–Gayle Floyd
For me, UU Guys provides, in both the monthly gatherings and the Annual Retreats, an opportunity for discussion, conversation and reflection on topics and issues that would not normally come up at social gatherings. The breadth and depth of experience and knowledge reflected in those discussions and conversations is at the level you might find around a table of folks that, on a daily basis, operate at a high level of intellect but, in the case of the UU Guys, are still reaching for that second beer.
Most importantly; for me, UU Guys provides a sanctuary for human
interaction and discussion on thoughts and ideas that may differ from one’s fellow Church member but are expressed in such a way that makes that difference of thought palatable and even acceptable.
–Walt Megonigal
I attended my first UU Guys meeting soon after moving to Cville over four years ago. In the monthly meetings and the annual retreats I find a safe space to share the challenges and joys of being a “UU guy.” As a newcomer to Cville, UU Guys has been a place where I have made many new friendships. UU Guys has been a safe container, like a covenant group, for practicing vulnerability and wholeheartedness in a culture where appearing weak is a dominant fear for men.
–Jamie McReynolds
