Sanctuary: Worship for the Contemporary

Unitarian Universalism has a rich history that came out of the combination of two somewhat contrasting beliefs: Unitarianism and Universalism. But over the years, they have become one tight-knit community and provided a safe space for those who may not find it in more traditional religious spheres.

According to a 2014 study by The Pew Research Center, about 73 percent of people who are “unitarians and Other Liberal Faiths in ‘Other Faiths’ Tradition” are 30 years-old and over. And 57 percent belong to “Generation X” and “Baby Boomer” generational cohorts.

Data from The Pew Research Center

Nevertheless, the age-group 18 to 29 of people who are “unitarians and Other Liberal Faiths in ‘Other Faiths’ Tradition,” have risen from 18 percent to 27 percent from 2007 to 2014. This indicates a growing interest in liberal faith practices from the younger generation. And with many UU churches like First Church Boston offering programs for children and families, UU practices and beliefs will be made even more accessible to a new generation.

And The Sanctuary Boston has done just that with music.

Data from The Pew Research Center

The Sanctuary Boston, an independent religious nonprofit organization, is a perfect example of how UU-ism is adapting to the increasing population of younger adults in the UU sphere. Combining the present-day with traditional rituals and hymns, Sanctuary was created in 2012 by UU young adults who wanted to embrace the beauty of “modern unitarian universalism” by incorporating contemporary music.

“We’re looking to create a community that is more grounded in music and ritual,” Matt Meyer Director of Operations and Community Life for Sanctuary Boston said. “We also wanted a community where we can bring our hearts and our bodies, and have a really heartfelt, emotional kind of spirit-filled worship as well.”

Whereas First Church’s Sunday service worship is led by a choir, Sanctuary’s midweek worship services are led by a band. They like to incorporate hymns as well as pop songs, like classics by Katy Perry and Sara Bareilles.

During their service, people are invited to participate in a moment of self-reflection and candle-lighting. Photo by Tivara Tanudjaja

“Our music is really diverse, bringing the wisdom of popstars and the wisdom of old hymns and of ancient chants, all kind of together into the same worship,” Meyer said.

And just like UU’s unique past of combining different beliefs, worship at Sanctuary also incorporates different rituals and traditions taken from different theologies and points of view. Which is exactly why Sanctuary was created: to meet people’s needs and desires for worship.

“There have been all these changes and a widening of, what I would call, the content of worship. Like the sources, the traditions we draw from, the poetry and the readings that we regard as worthy of consideration in worship and for self-reflection,” Meyer said. “So we have more theologies and beliefs and traditions represented in worship, but the worship container hasn't changed as much over the last 50 years.”

Emma Pawl, a student at the Berklee College of Music said being Unitarian Universalist is one of the reasons why she is a musician. “There is not a better place to express yourself in a better way than singing or playing an instrument and taking part in a service musically or speaking.”

Aidan Scully is a freshman at Harvard University.

Leona Ripple is a freshman at Northeastern University.

Although First Church is not officially affiliated with Sanctuary, they host Sanctuary’s worship services, which are online on the first Wednesday and in person on the third Wednesday of every month.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Sanctuary has since adapted their worship services to occur both online and in-person. To include the wider audience they have gathered since the pandemic hit, some of whom are outside of the state, Sanctuary continues to incorporate Zoom to establish a welcoming hybrid service. Photo by Tivara Tanudjaja