Ever since joining this faith, I have been welcomed into a group of accepting and caring individuals. I am encouraged to live my life with my morals and beliefs in mind. I love that my morals and beliefs are my own, that they did not originate from any church or text.

My faith has motivated me to take a more active role in my community, as there are many charity activities. I am encouraged to get to know people in my congregation on retreats, where the focus is on togetherness, sharing, building trust and friendship and appreciating nature. I have been welcomed into an open-minded, loving, accepting, supportive congregation, finding both friends and mentors who are there for me.

I have been educated on sexual issues and how to handle them with maturity and wisdom. One thing I appreciate is that my church believes in full education so individuals can make their own educated and informed decisions when they must deal with the reality of the joys and dangers of sexual relationships. The responsible, open manner in which this information is presented gave me a fair perspective on many issues.

I love my church because it is so supportive of youth. A teen center is being finished, and there is a youth coordinator to help organize what we want to do. This makes me feel that I am cared about and considered. The youth in the church were asked what we wanted to do for activities and get-togethers, and then given the resources to make them happen.

This religion has given me a better way to live my life, exposed me to many wonderful people, educated me and supported me. I plan to stick with Unitarian Universalism for a long time.

Ashley Wilson plays trombone in the pit orchestra of a summer theater group. She will be a sophomore at Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda.