Visitors

Visitor and Newcomer Information

It's not easy taking those first steps into a new community, especially a religious community. We know this very well because most of us have come to Unitarian Universalism from other faith traditions. It is perhaps even more difficult coming to Unitarian Universalism because knowledge and understanding of what we are about is not widespred in our American culture, though it ought to be seeing as how influential our tradition has been in the weaving of the fabric of our nation.

So we understand and we'd like to make your first experiences with us a stressfree as we can. One way to do that is to tell you what you can expect when you come the first time.

Getting Here

We are located at....

232 Third Street, Marietta, Ohio (Southeast corner of Putnam and Third Streets). Marietta, the first permanent settlement in the Northwest territories, is at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio rivers in southeast Ohio. Marietta is on Interstate 77, 160 miles south of Cleveland and 80 miles north of Charleston West Virginia. Click here to see a map.

Directions....

From I-77 take the exit for the business district which is south on State Route 7 (Pike Street; becomes Green Street) to Third Street. Go Right on Third Street (following Route 7) and go 2 blocks.
From Belpre and points South: Follow State Route 7 north across the Washington Street Bridge. Take second right onto Third Street (still following Rte 7) and proceed 3 blocks to Putnam.
From Williamstown come across the Williamstown-Marietta Bridge and turn left onto Green Street. Go two blocks to Third Street. Go Right on Third Street (following Route 7) and go 2 blocks.
From points north (Lowell, Beverly, McConnelsville, Zanesville): Come south on State Route 60. This becomes Third Street. Proceed to 232 Third Street (at Putnam).

Parking...

is available in the Marietta Savings Bank lot adjacent to the church property during non-business hours and in the lot across Third Street from it.

Coming Through the Door

When you come in on a Sunday morning, there will be two folks there in the vestibule to greet you. You won't recognise these people by the clothes they wear. We have no dress code--not even an unstated one. So, though he could be wearing jeans and a plaid shirt, or a suit and tie, and she could be wearing a dress or jeans and a sweater, they will be wearing smiles and nametags. They will ask your names and direct you to a small table inside the door where you may add your name and contact information in a guestbook and make up a nametag for yourself. (We're very big on nametags for everyone all the time.) The greeters will probably chat with you while you're doing all this to begin to become acquainted. (In addition to the Greeters, there will be another person, the Host, there in the vestibule available then and after the service to answer any questions you may have about our church or Unitarian Universalism in general.) The Greeter will then hand you a hymnal and an Order of Service

When you're all set, go on in the Sanctuary. Oh, if you are hearing impaired, we have portable amplified headphones available just inside the Sanctuary doors. A Greeter will be gald to help you with that. Please sit anywhere you like, but if you want to sit in the rear, get there early, because like a lot of churches, the rear seems to fill up first!

After the Service-Community and Fellowship

It is an important part of our tradition to have a time of Fellowhip immediately following the service. Coffee (or tea) and goodies of some type are served in our Fellowship Hall while conversations abound. We would love to see you there.

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