First Unitarian’s main act

THE FIRST Unitarian Church of Philadelphia is well-known throughout the city's population of indie music fans, but it's much more than a concert venue. The faithful who fill the facility when the lights are up and the amps are turned off are part of a worldwide religion that preaches justice, acceptance and respect.

We asked the Rev. Nate C. Walker, the elected leader of the Philly congregation, to give us the rundown on his faith, which has its roots in the history of our nation.

Who we are: The First Unitarian Church belongs to the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, a "liberal, democratic religious tradition," according to Walker. Philly's congregation was organized in 1796, the first church of its kind in the young country (hence the name).

Four American presidents - John Adams, John Quincy Adams, Millard Fillmore and William Howard Taft - were devout Unitarians and the church has long been known for its progressive stance, organizing abolitionist meetings and fighting for suffrage and women's rights.

Today, the Philly church hosts 250 members for Sunday prayer services. Guests are welcome. "Diversity is what unites us," Walker said. "Any given Sunday, we could have Catholics sitting next to nonpracticing Jews or someone who practices Buddhism and meditation."

Where we worship: If you're a music fan, chances are you already know the address: 2125 Chestnut St. Rolling Stone has called the venue one of the top alternative rock scenes in the country. The building also hosts yoga classes, Muslim Ishtar dinners and City Year's staging meetings, among other organizations and events.

Who's on First? The Chestnut Street location is actually First Unitarian's third Philly home. It was built in the 1880s by famed Philly architect Frank Furness, whose father, William, was the congregation's minister for more than 70 years.

What we believe: According to Walker, a fundamental principle of Unitarian Universalism is that it's a "nondogmatic" faith, meaning that there are no sacred texts used to guide worship. Instead, the church relies on seven principles to guide it, including belief in the inherent worth of all people and respect for the world around them.

The principles are supplemented by six "sources" that allow the Unitarian Universalists to put belief into practice. These include the direct experience of life, and teachings from other world religions.

"Whereas other faiths ask you to articulate a particular belief in God, we're more interested in how best to form relationships with each other," Walker said. "We care about your character, about how you live your life."

Values voters: Unitarian Universalism operates as a democracy, with its global network of followers working together to examine and, if need be, alter the principles and sources that guide their worship. That voting takes place every seven years in Boston, with each congregation sending representatives.

The current set of beliefs hasn't been altered since the mid-1980s, according to Walker.

How we worship: First Unitarian's weekly sessions are similar to what you'd find in a Protestant church, Walker said. Their sanctuary has pews, stained-glass windows and a pulpit. A choir leads worshippers in song, while Walker leads the group in prayer and delivers a sermon.

The church has its own sacraments as well, including a baby dedication, in which newborns are blessed with a de-thorned rose as their introduction to the congregation. Eighteen years later, that young man or woman is given another rose, with thorns, during a bridge ceremony into adulthood.

Big moral issue we grapple with: Same-sex marriage, a topic that's particularly meaningful for Walker, an openly gay minister. "As a state-recognized minister, I can sign marriage licenses on behalf of different-sex couples, giving them rights denied to me," he said.