Historically, Unitarian Universalism combined the belief that God is one (Unitarian) and that all are saved (Universalist).
- We are a religious movement that embraces varieties of religious thought and practice including but not limited to Humanism, Christianity, Judaism, Paganism, Mysticism, and Religious Naturalism.
- We draw on the sources and sacred texts of the world’s major traditions to inspire us. In poetry and music, we have found a language of awe and wonder.
- We are a community of questioners and seekers; a religious tradition that espouses no one truth but recognizes many truths; a community that values equally the intellect and reason, intuition and reverence.
- Ours is a faith that seeks to do justice and to heal our broken world.
- For us, church is about meaning making, articulating and deepening one’s faith, beliefs, and spirituality.
Beliefs & Shared Values
In Unitarian Universalism, you can bring your whole self: your full identity, your questioning mind, your expansive heart. We covenant around a set of shared values.
Interdependence: We honor the interdependent web of all existence and acknowledge our place in it. With reverence for the great web of life and with humility, we acknowledge our place in it.
Pluralism: We are all sacred beings, diverse in culture, experience, and theology.
Justice: We work to be diverse multicultural Beloved Communities where all feel welcome and can thrive.
Transformation: We adapt to the changing world.
Generosity: We cultivate a spirit of gratitude and hope.
Equity: We declare that every person is inherently worthy and has the right to flourish with dignity, love, and compassion.
WUUC Covenant
Unitarian Universalists have at their core a commitment to the idea of covenant: the free and voluntary bond of the heart and spirit that we each make to the church community. As the Rev. Dr. Rebecca Parker writes, “Covenant is, first-most, not a verbal agreement but a practice.”
Our WUUC covenant describes the practices we understand ourselves aspiring to:
We come together in the spirit of love,
creating sacred space to
share life’s transitions, embrace diversity, and grow our spirits.
As we tell our stories and deepen our bonds,
we share our hearts and help to heal the world.
Guided by our shared values and recognizing relationships with ourselves, our community, and the world, we:
- Strive to create and sustain a safe and sacred sanctuary when we come together in mind, body, and spirit.
- Provide opportunities and support to each other in our spiritual and intellectual development.
- Share life’s transitions, celebrating our joys and mourning our losses as we encourage each other to explore and grow.
- Embrace diversity in all forms, including age, race, gender and affectional expression, socio-economic situation, and faith perspective.
- Deepen our bonds by reaching out, affirming, forgiving, repairing, and sustaining relationships.
- Aspire to listen deeply to each other’s stories and to share our own.
- Promote and strengthen our community so it will embody our values and carry them into the future.
- Nurture and help to heal the world through our work for justice and peace.
Unitarian Universalist Resources
Rev. Christine Robinson of the First Unitarian Church of Albuquerque speaks about Unitarian Universalism as an Open Source Faith and about the Branch Ministry Project.
Unitarian Universalist Association
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee