“I love that UU’s believe in the freedom of religious expression. To quote David O. Rankin, that “all individuals should be encouraged to develop their own personal theologies, and to present openly their religious opinions without fear of censure or reprisal.” I have certainly found that to be the case at UUFR.”
Hank

“After years of increasing dissatisfaction with dogma and hypocrisy at a local Methodist church, I followed my husband to UUFR and have found my spiritual home in this little church that looks like a lighthouse, nestled in the woods.”
Nancy

We have found UUFR to be a place where we can share our ideas and feelings within an open and supportive community. The members of the fellowship are wonderful, loving people who come from many different backgrounds and religious traditions.
Carolyn Osolinik & Eddie Correia

When we retired and moved to the Northern Neck from Arlington we thought we had discovered the perfect place except – there was no UU church there. I had previously attended the Arlington church sporadically and wanted to get deeper. Elaine had attended occasionally with her friend in Maryland. But we moved to Lancaster anyway. Then one day I saw a little ad in the Rappahannock Record about UU’s meeting and to call Lorie Lowery about time and place. We visited once and were immediately attracted to this small group of free-thinking, friendly folks . . . . 

We joined and have made it a central part of our lives. We have both contributed our time and money to encourage its growth and see it thrive. While the original few have mostly moved on, it has been a joy to see UUFR grow as newer members join. What I like best is being inspired by a caring group of people that share my values and thoughts about how we should live.
Bob and Elaine Weekley

Lois Williams and her late husband joined the Unitarian Church in Princeton, NJ in 1965, and for 50 summers the family has spent a week at the Star Island Family Conference Center (UU and UCC) at the Isles of Shoals off Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  At the urging of their daughter, Jane Elkin of Urbanna, who cited the UUFR as one of the attractions, in 2013 they moved to the RW-C continuing care community (and UUFR!) from Potomac, Maryland. With UUFR’s Tom Kinney, Lois just published a history of the land on which our building stands, titled The Lees of White Stone (Amazon).
Lois Williams

In the early 1970’s, we were committed to a small Presbyterian church near Detroit. We headed Vision and Planning and chaired Children’s Religious Education. We team-taught the church high school class, emphasizing life skills with a tiny touch of theology. When paving the parking lot became more important than supporting those in need in the community and a new minister believed dinosaurs and humans coexisted, it was time for a better match with our beliefs and life’s priorities . . . . 

A convenient transfer to GM’s Opel in Germany provided the opportunity to break those ties and research alternatives. Upon return, we joined the Birmingham (MI) UU church. Our 1989 retirement to the NN missed the UU connection until 1997 when we began meeting with other UU’s in private homes. That allowed us to join hands with a great group of people down the path to the UUFR of today.
Tom and Shirley “Charley” Kinney

UUFR is home. I walked into the lobby on a Sunday in December, about a year after I moved to the Northern Neck. In this area, church is where you can meet people and get to know them. That’s why I came. Paula Greenwood greeted me at the door with a lovely big smile and welcoming words. I had dressed thoughtfully, not knowing how casually or formally folks would be dressed. I saw the full gamut, from shorts & Birkenstocks to tailored outfits. I was very pleased that my relaxed outfit fit in fluidly. Because of the variety of clothing, I understood that conformity was unlikely — my kind of place . . . . 

Having drifted away from the Roman Catholicism of my youth, I studied the comparative philosophy of religions in college and practiced Nichirin Soshu Buddhism in my 20’s. I attended a Unity church with an amazing minister in my 30’s-40’s and studied energy medicine in my 60’s. I was looking for something and some place I could feel comfortable and unconfined, a group of which I would enjoy being a part.
I kept coming back. I made friends. We sing songs. We support each other in our joys and sorrows. We welcome new ideas, and speakers from within and without the fellowship. We share food and conversation. And, oh yeah, sometimes I get to bring my dogs with me to the service. Now, I am not only a “stay here” Northern Necker, I am a “stay here” UUFR’r. Thank you all for helping me feel so very welcome. I try to do the same for all of you and for those who have yet to find and join us.
Peny Gallogly and CH Buffy