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.
The living tradition which 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 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.
Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision. As free congregations we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust and support.
The Purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association
The Unitarian Universalist Association shall devote its resources to and exercise its corporate powers for religious, educational and humanitarian purposes. The primary purpose of the Association is to serve the needs of its member congregations, organize new congregations, extend and strengthen Unitarian Universalist institutions and implement its principles.
The Association declares and affirms its special responsibility, and that of its member societies and organizations, to promote the full participation of persons in all of its and their activities and in the full range of human endeavor without regard to race, color, sex, disability, affectional or sexual orientation, age, or national origin and without requiring adherence to any particular interpretation of religion or to any particular religious belief or creed.
Nothing herein shall be deemed to infringe upon the individual freedom of belief which is inherent in the Universalist and Unitarian heritages or to conflict with any statement of purpose, covenant, or bond of union used by any society unless such is used as a creedal test.
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.
Our congregations are self-governing. Authority and responsibility are vested in the membership of the congregation. Each Unitarian Universalist congregation is involved in many kinds of programs. Worship is held regularly, the insights of the past and the 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.
(Excerpts from "We Are Unitarian Universalists", pamphlet #3047)
� Unitarian Universalist Association, 1995
of Sault Ste. Marie and Area
Statement of Purpose
All: We gather as
Unitarian Universalists
to enjoy with each other
the spiritual quest.
Right: We gather to
strengthen each other
in understanding
and living out
the deepest meanings
of our lives.
Left: We gather with
a sense of appreciation and
wonder before
the sacred Mystery of Life.
R: We draw upon
the voices and visions
of the great religious traditions.
L: We draw upon
reason and intuition,
art and science,
and our own life experiences.
R: We draw upon
the spiritual power
and truth
of our own congregation.
All: We commit ourselves to:
R: Creating an atmosphere of
mutual trust and reliance;
L: Keeping confidential
all that is disclosed;
R: Making every effort
to prepare for,
be present at,
and do our part
at each gathering;
L: Listening with
heart and mind
to each other's feelings
and life situations;
R: Sharing with each other
our personal experiences,
our knowledge, talents, humor,
and other inner resources;
L: Receiving from each other
the insights and energies
deriving from our varying
spiritual paths and perspectives.
R: Refraining from
condemning, or trying to
convert anyone to a particular
way of believing or acting;
L: Encouraging each other
to ever-greater spiritual growth
R: by comforting, challenging,
supporting and assisting
according to the need.
All: So might it be
First adopted April 1991. Readopted May 2003
Revised Antiphonally September 2003
Links to Websites pertaining to
Unitarian Universalism on the Internet
(while standing in a circle, tapers are lighted from person to person, starting from a flame placed in our midst, which represents the traditional UU Chalice)
Invocation
and/or
Our Statement of Purpose
Singing
Inspirational Reading(s)
(followed by a short period of silent reflection;
followed by optional sharing of reflections)
Refreshments
(preceded by optional Blessing)
Basket Ceremony
(each of us brings a returnable token, which will prompt the member who selects it from the basket to keep us in her/his good thoughts until the next gathering)
Announcements and
Preprations for the Next Gathering
Closing Ceremony
(Unison Recitation of Traditional Celtic Blessing)
Deep peace of the running waters to all
Deep peace of the breathing air to all
Deep peace of the quiet earth to all
Deep peace of the shining stars to all