What is Unitarian Universalism?

Unitarian Universalism is a rich, historic, unfolding and inclusive approach to thoughtful religious living. It affirms the spiritual truth of all humanity’s varied sacred paths. Its adherents come from a wide variety of backgrounds. They follow an approach to community that is as old as the first democratically governed congregations of New England, of which First Parish in Needham is surely one, having been gathered in 1711. Rather than ask the creedal question, “What do we all believe in common?” our forebears decided that the more important question was instead covenantal: “What hopes do we share? What spiritual resources shall we draw upon as we walk together toward the fulfillment of those shared hopes? And how shall we treat one another along the way?”

The roots of Unitarian Universalism are therefore both religious and American. Like the biblical prophets who proclaimed, “Hear, O Israel, our God is One!” it uses varied language to insist on a universalistic perspective; like Rabbi Jesus, who did the same, liberal religionists in America at the time of the American Revolution called for a reform of the religion that had prevailed in Puritan times. They came to regard Jesus as a key spiritual model, but not as divine, except insofar as all human beings are potentially divine, challenged to develop a life of spiritual depth and moral integrity within the finite time we all have in life.

Today Unitarian Universalism includes people who consider themselves agnostics, atheists, Jews, Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, pagans, humanists, skeptics, seekers, and, ultimately, “just friends.” Together they form a diverse religious community that seeks to inspire everyone to transcend personal differences and to find common ground in the common good. We are liberals in both that sense and in keeping 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.

The Seven Principles and Sources

The spirit of Unitarian Universalism is embodied in seven principles, which we affirm and promote:

• The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
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• Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
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• Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
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• A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
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• The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
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• The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
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• Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

As noted above, the living tradition of Unitarian Universalism draws from many sources These include:

• 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;
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• 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;
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• Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
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• Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
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• 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.
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• 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.

These principles and sources of faith are the backbone of our religious community.

Governance

First Parish is a member church of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Churches and Fellowships in North America. However, Unitarian Universalist congregations are locally self-governing, with authority and responsibility 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 that involve people of all ages and backgrounds in support groups, music, social ministries, discussions, lectures, intergenerational activities, study and worship.

Please consult other parts of this website for information on worship and activities at First Parish in Needham and for links to other Unitarian Universalist organizations, nationally and locally.