Who We Are

About Us

Although our tradition originated within Christianity and traces its roots back hundreds of years, Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations are now intentionally diverse spiritual communities, embracing Christians, Jewish people, Muslims, Buddhists, humanists, freethinkers, atheists, agnostics, pagans, and persons of many other spiritual paths and traditions.  Our congregation includes people of all ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, levels of education, and economic status. We share a common desire to live with greater depth, meaning and purpose, to grow spiritually, and to learn, serve, and celebrate while creating more justice and love in our own lives and in the world.

Our Unitarian Universalist tradition invites us to support one another through all that life brings us. When we gather, we bring our whole selves, and from that wholeness, we do our part to create more love, justice, and peace in our lives and in the world.

Our Unitarian Universalist Tradition

Unitarian Universalists balance reason and belief, intellect and intuition. We are committed to spiritual and ethical values, and our focus is on this world, this life. We seek to empower our members to live their values with integrity, to work for justice and peace in the world, and to respect the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

As Unitarian Universalists, we have no shared creed. We think for ourselves, reflect together, and encourage and support each other to find our own spiritual paths. We impose no dogma — no required set of beliefs, doctrines, or unquestionable sources of authority.

As we stand in wonder and awe before the beauty of our universe, we hope to do justice to this gift of life by learning to think and act well, to work for social justice, and to share with one another the insights and truths of our hearts.

More About Us

In our tradition, we see disconnection as the root of the suffering and injustice in the world. People are often disconnected from their deepest selves, from one another, and from a sense of belonging to a greater whole. 

We are focused on connection, here and now, in this life. Connection to greater depth, meaning and purpose heals and gives life meaning and joy. When we recognize our profound inter-connection with one another, we wake up to what we can do to contribute and serve needs greater than our own. 

Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote eight Principles, which we hold as strong values and moral guides:  

  1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person.
  2. Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations.
  3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations.
  4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning.
  5. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.
  6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.
  7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
  8. Individual and communal action that accountably dismantles racism and systemic barriers to full inclusion in ourselves and our institutions.

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.

Do Unitarians believe in God?  Yes and no.  Some Unitarian Universalists (UUs) are non-theists and do not find language about God useful or relevant to them.  Other UUs may have a profound faith in God. To avoid confusion over the wide-ranging use of the word God, many UUs are more apt to speak of reverence for life, the spirit of love or truth, the holy, or the sacred. Many prefer such language because it is inclusive – it is used with integrity by both theist and non-theist members. Whatever our theological persuasion, UUs generally agree that our actions matter more than our beliefs, so we usually speak more about gratitude, worthy aspirations, hope, the interconnectedness of all living things, and service on behalf of justice.

Unitarian Universalism is an established international tradition that exists around the globe. Nationally, we are affiliated with the Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC), and internationally with the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA).

CUC congregations are independent, democratically run institutions. Congregational policy, budgets, and programs are overseen by our Board of Trustees. Congregational work is shared by our Board, lay leaders, staff, and various Teams and Committees. We rely heavily on the efforts of our many volunteers. Our budget and all major non-budget expenses are subject to congregational review and approval by majority vote.

Everyone’s contributions, but especially financial pledges, help us improve, enhance and expand our programs, staff, and facilities. Those contributions are our main source of income. We also have rental income that helps offset our operating expenses such as utilities, salaries, and building maintenance.