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We,
the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association,
covenant to affirm and promote:
• The inherent
worth and dignity of every person;
• Justice, equity, and compassion in human
relations;
• Acceptance of one another and encouragement
to spiritual growth in our congregations;
• A free and responsible search for truth
and meaning;
• The right of conscience and the use of the
democratic process within our congregations and in
society at large;
• The goal of the world community with peace,
liberty, and justice for all;
• Respect for the interdependent web of all
existence of which we are a part. |
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The living
tradition we share draws from many sources:
Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder,
affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of
the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and
uphold life; Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which
challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with
justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;
Wisdom from the world’s religions which inspires us
in our ethical and spiritual life; Jewish and Christian teachings
which call us to respond to God’s love by loving our
neighbors as ourselves; Humanist teachings which council
us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science,
and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit; and
Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate
the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony
with the rhythms of nature. |
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We
Are Unitarian Universalists
by Marta Flanagan
Are you looking for a religious home?
Unitarian Universalists are people who express themselves in
these ways:
"I want a religion that respects the differences between people
and affirms every person as an individual."
"I want a church that values children, that welcomes them on
their own terms-a church they are eager to attend on Sunday
morning."
"I want a congregation that cherishes freedom and encourages
open dialogue on questions of faith, one in which it is OK
to change your mind."
"I want a religious community that affirms spiritual exploration
as a way of truth."
"I want a church that thinks globally and acts locally on the
great issues of our time: world peace, women's rights, racial
justice, homelessness, gay and lesbian rights and protection
of the environment."
We Believe
Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion born of the Jewish
and Christian traditions. We keep our minds open to the religious
questions people have struggled with in all times and places.
We believe that personal experience, conscience and reason
should be the final authorities in religion. In the end religious
authority lies not in a book or person or institution, but
in ourselves. We put religious insights to the test of our
hearts and minds.
We uphold the free search for truth. We will not be bound by
a statement of belief. We do not ask anyone to subscribe to
a creed. We say ours is a noncreedal religion. Ours is a free
faith.
We believe that religious wisdom is everchanging. Human understanding
of life and death, the world and its mysteries, is never final.
Revelation is continuous. We celebrate unfolding truths known
to teachers, prophets and sages throughout the ages.
We affirm the worth of all women and men. We believe people
should be encouraged to think for themselves. We know people
differ in their opinions and life-styles and believe these
differences generally should be honored.
We seek to act as a moral force in the world, believing that
ethical living is the supreme witness of religion. The here
and now and the effects our actions will have on future generations
deeply concern us. We know that our relationships with one
another, with other peoples, races and nations, should be governed
by justice, equity and compassion.
We Celebrate
Each Unitarian Universalist congregation is the fulfillment
of a long heritage that goes back hundreds of years to courageous
people who struggled for freedom in thought and faith. On this
continent we go back to the Massachusetts settlers and the
founders of the republic. Outstanding Unitarians and Universalists
include John Adams, Clara Barton, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Louisa
May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Susan B. Anthony. Not as
famous but equally worthy are the thousands of men and women
in our congregations leading vital, dedicated and useful lives.
Our congregations are self-governing. Authority and responsibility
are vested in the membership of the congregation. Each local
congregation-called a church, society or fellowship-adopts
its own bylaws, elects its own officers and approves its budget.
Every member is encouraged to take part in church or fellowship
activities.
Each Unitarian Universalist congregation is involved in many
kinds of programs. Worship is held regularly, the insights
of the past and present are shared with those who will create
the future, service to the community is undertaken and friendships
are made. A visitor to a UU congregation will very likely find
events and activities such as church school, day-care centers,
lectures and forums, support groups, poetry festivals, family
events, adult education classes and study groups-all depending
on the needs and interests of the local members.
We Unite
More than one thousand congregations make up the Unitarian
Universalist Association (UUA), which represents our interests
on a continental scale.
The UUA grew out of the consolidation, in 1961, of two religious
denominations: the Universalists, organized in 1793, and the
Unitarians, organized in 1825. (See the UU Historical Society)
The UUA provides resources and offers consultations to local
congregations, creates religious education curricula, spurs
social action efforts, expedites the settlement of professional
religious leaders, supports Beacon press, and produces pamphlets,
devotional material and the bimonthly journal The World.
The UUA works in concert with many organizations-including
the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC). Since
its early work aiding victims of Nazi oppression, the UUSC
has been helping people help themselves with service and advocacy
programs around the world. The UUA also maintains offices at
the United Nations headquarters in New York and in Washington,
DC. The Unitarian Universalist Church of the Larger Fellowship
provides a ministry to geographically isolated religious liberals.
Get To Know Us
The best way is to come, see, think and explore with us. A
warm welcome awaits you. |
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