About Unitarian Universalism
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is a voluntary association of autonomous, self-governing local churches and fellowships, which have freely chosen to pursue common goals together. The Association’s polity is congregational; Association decisions are made by congregational delegates in business sessions at the annual General Assembly (GA). Between General Assemblies, the UUA is governed by the Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees meets at least quarterly.
There are several Districts and Regions of the UUA in North America. The mission of the UUA Districts and Regions is to serve as the primary local resource for congregations and to help extend Unitarian Universalist influence in the larger community. They provide a wide range of services to member congregations. The district to which our church belongs is the Ballou-Channing District.
Our Principles
There are seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations 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 world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all
- Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part
Unitarian Universalism 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 counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit
- 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
Those principles and sources of faith are the backbone of our religious community.
Source: The Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations