The central spiritual value of Unitarian Universalism is Love. UUs believe Love holds us together and should be the common ground for conducting our lives. This perspective emerges from two great heresies that distinguished Universalists and Unitarians from (and often caused them to be ostracized by) most 19th century New England congregations. The Universalists’ heresy was … Continue reading UUs Worship Love (#125)
What beliefs do all Unitarians hold? None. Instead, Unitarians affirm every individual’s right to search freely for their own truth and meaning. This lack of an imposed, predetermined doctrine reflects UU’s nature as an “orthopraxy.” An orthopraxy is a faith community that affirms peoples’ ability to develop wisdom based upon their own personal experiences involving … Continue reading UU Is an Orthopraxy (#124)
Many people these days are frustrated about the contentious, divisive nature of civic discourse, especially what they saw and heard during this past election year. They are fearful about what the future might bring. However, they’d rather not spend their time endlessly doom scrolling online sources of news. They prefer to channel their concerns about … Continue reading How UUs Channel Their Civic Energy (#123)
You’re invited to celebrate a new Unitarian Universalist holiday—Chalica, which runs from Monday to Sunday of a week in December and focuses on a different Unitarian Universalist Principle each day. A chalice is lit each evening, and gifts can be given and received. Gifts may be made, bought, verbal, written, or acts of compassion. Here are some … Continue reading UUs Celebrate Chalica (#122)
In 1961, two denominations, Unitarians and Universalists, merged to form the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). The Sedona Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (SUUF) is the local affiliate of this international organization. Overall, UUA’s numbers are relatively small, but its members have made outsized contributions to our world. Below is a list of 40–affiliated with one branch, the … Continue reading Renowned UUs You May Know (#122)
The original meaning of “woke” is to awaken after sleep, of course, but the word now has picked up other social connotations. The Oxford English Dictionary says, “woke had been extended figuratively to refer to being ‘aware’ or ‘well informed’ in a political or cultural sense.” Being woke is viewed positively by Unitarian Universalists. They … Continue reading UUs Are Woke (#121)
Unitarian Universalist religious education is wide-ranging. UU youth are introduced to many faith traditions, supported in formulating their own beliefs, and urged to respect what others believe. Actually, all UUs, young and old, are encouraged to look for wisdom beyond what’s immediately available. This approach is illustrated in a story about a group of adherents from … Continue reading What UUs Teach Their Children (#120)
Not all religious spaces welcome everyone, especially when it comes to non-binary gender and sexuality. In contrast, the Sedona Unitarian Universalist Fellowship has long done its best to invite people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer to join its congregation and to feel fully welcome in all of its activities. They want to … Continue reading UUs Have a Welcoming Community (#119)
People often ask what scripture serves as the Bible for Sedona Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (SUUF) congregants. There is none. (SUUF) members don’t rely on a single text or holy book for their answers to life’s deepest questions. They don’t believe that one group of people were informed, at one time and place in history by … Continue reading UUs’ Sources of Wisdom (#118)
Unitarian Universalists in many communities include an Animal Ministry. Its mission is not limited to caring for our endearing pets. They are inspired by the deeper UU principle of “respecting the interdependent web of existence of which we are a part.” Animal-loving Unitarians see human beings as a key strand in the intricate web of … Continue reading UUs Care About Animals (#117)
