Being UU
Unitarian Universalism is a living tradition that has changed in many ways from the original Christian roots of its Universalist and Unitarian heritages, and it continues to evolve today. Most recently, this evolution has taken the form of adopting new language to describe who we are as UUs. At General Assembly in June 2024, UUs voted to replace existing Seven Principles and Six Sources language in our bylaws with language describing Unitarian Universalism through these shared values, all centered around love:
Love is the power that holds us together and is at the center of our shared values. We are accountable to one another for doing the work of living our shared values through the spiritual discipline of Love.
Interdependence.
We honor the interdependent web of all existence. With reverence for the great web of life and with humility, we acknowledge our place in it.
We covenant to protect Earth and all beings from exploitation. We will create and nurture sustainable relationships of care and respect, mutuality and justice. We will work to repair harm and damaged relationships.
Pluralism.
We celebrate that we are all sacred beings, diverse in culture, experience, and theology.
We covenant to learn from one another in our free and responsible search for truth and meaning. We embrace our differences and commonalities with Love, curiosity, and respect.
Justice.
We work to be diverse multicultural Beloved Communities where all thrive.
We covenant to dismantle racism and all forms of systemic oppression. We support the use of inclusive democratic processes to make decisions within our congregations, our Association, and society at large.
Transformation.
We adapt to the changing world.
We covenant to collectively transform and grow spiritually and ethically. Openness to change is fundamental to our Unitarian and Universalist heritages, never complete and never perfect.
Generosity.
We cultivate a spirit of gratitude and hope.
We covenant to freely and compassionately share our faith, presence, and resources. Our generosity connects us to one another in relationships of interdependence and mutuality.
Equity.
We declare that every person is inherently worthy and has the right to flourish with dignity,
love and compassion.
We covenant to use our time, wisdom, attention, and money to build and sustain fully accessible and inclusive communities
Themes of both Unitarianism and Universalism have been seen in many cultures and religious traditions throughout the ages.
Formally, we grew into our modern form from the union of two radical Christian groups: the Universalists, who organized in 1793, and the Unitarians, who organized in 1825. Guided by young people in each of these traditions, they joined to become the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations in 1961. Both groups trace their roots in North America to the early Massachusetts settlers and the framers of the US Constitution.
Our story does not begin in the US, it expands across the globe. Our heritage reaches back centuries to liberal religious pioneers in England, Poland, and Transylvania.
We aim to be diverse and inclusive expanding our theology and practices beyond our formal roots in Western Christianity. We aim include people of many beliefs who share UU values of living in covenant to grow in spirit and community recognizing we are creators of positive change in people and in the world.