Unitarian Universalism

What We Believe

With its historical roots in the Jewish and Christian traditions, Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion -- that is, a religion that keeps an open mind 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, and that in the end religious authority lies not in a book or person or institution, but in ourselves. We are a "non-creedal" religion: we do not ask anyone to subscribe to a creed.

Congregations

Unitarian Universalist (UU) 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 own budget. Every member is encouraged to take part in church or fellowship activities.

The Flaming Chalice

The flaming chalice is made up of a drinking vessel and fire. The chalice represents sharing, generosity, sustenance, and love. The flame symbolizes witness, sacrifice, testing, courage, illumination and more. Our services, programs, and meetings begin by lighting a chalice while saying some brief reflective words.

History
Unitarian Universalism has a deep and diverse history, dating back to sixteenth century Transylvania (our Unitarian side) and to eighteenth century America (our Universalist roots in this country). During the first four decades of the nineteenth century, hundreds of congregational churches fought over ideas about sin and salvation, and especially over the doctrine of the Trinity. In 1819, Unitarian minister William Ellery Channing delivered a sermon called 'Unitarian Christianity' and helped to give the Unitarians a strong platform. Six years later the American Unitarian Association was organized in Boston, Massachusetts.

Universalism challenged its members to reach out and embrace people whom society often marginalized. The Gloucester church included a freed slave among its charter members, and the Universalists became the first denomination to ordain women to the ministry, beginning in 1863 with Olympia Brown. Universalism was a more evangelical faith than Unitarianism. After officially organizing in 1793, the Universalists spread their faith across the eastern United States and Canada," promoting the belief that all people are the children of God, rather than a chosen few.

The Association website contains a wealth of information about Unitarian Universalism, programs and events.