Welcome to UUism! (What Things are Called)

Our faith is not like others in many ways, and it can be confusing for people who may or may not be new to our pews. In previous months, I’ve written broad strokes about: our faith, what it takes to become a UU minister, the role of covenant in our faith life, worship, and General Assembly (GA). This month I thought I’d write about various elements of a church building.

Occasionally I get questions about what things are called, so today we’re going to explore that.

The (worship) service takes place in a sanctuary. Small worship or prayer spaces are often called chapels. Large ones are called sanctuaries – at least in UUism. The congregation I was affiliated with in Pennsylvania has a chapel. TriUU’s sanctuary is a multi-purpose room, called the Chalice Room, as it is not only a sanctuary.

The space that people often refer to as a stage is the chancel. On the chancel are the pulpit – the big speaker stand – and the lectern, along with our chalice and meditation bowl at the front. A couple of people have noted that I seem to avoid the pulpit, which is true. While I don’t love how separated it makes me feel, as if there’s a barrier between me and the congregation, it’s really because I speak with my hands, and the lectern gives me much more freedom than I have with the pulpit. A lectern is a reader stand.

And if you speak at the pulpit, be prepared to receive many warnings not to touch the mic. It’s delicate, and leaving it be allows it to stay in optimal mouth proximity and prevent excessive wear. Instead, you should use the heighten and lower buttons.

And as always, if there’s something you’re curious about, let me know!