About Unitarian Universalism
Unitarian Universalism (UUism) is characterized by its support for a "free and responsible search for truth and meaning." Unitarian Universalists do not have a common creed that we insist members believe in; rather, we are unified by our shared search for spiritual growth. Unitarian Universalists draw from many different theological and spiritual sources and have a wide range of beliefs and practices.
Both Unitarianism and Universalism have roots in Christian Protestantism, so likewise Unitarian Universalism has its historical roots in the Christian faith. But by the time Unitarians and Universalists decided to form one denomination together, the meaning of the terms "Unitarian" and "Universalist" had expanded beyond the traditional Christian understanding. Today’s UUs appreciate and value aspects of different religious and spiritual traditions, such as Judaism and Buddhism, from around the world. Although Unitarian Universalist congregations and fellowships tend to retain some Christian traditions, we do not in all cases identify ourselves as Christians, nor do we necessarily subscribe to Christian beliefs. How much one incorporates the elements of any particular faith tradition into one's personal spiritual practices is a matter of personal choice, in keeping with our creedless, non-dogmatic approach to spirituality and faith development.
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, was founded in 1961 as a consolidation of the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church in America. The UUA represents more than 1,000 member congregations that collectively include more than 217,000 members. Unitarian Universalists follow a congregational model of church governance, in which power resides at the local level; individual congregations call ministers and make other decisions involving worship, theology and day-to-day church management. The denominational headquarters in Boston in turn provides services for congregations that can more effectively be handled through joint efforts.
Both Unitarianism and Universalism have roots in Christian Protestantism, so likewise Unitarian Universalism has its historical roots in the Christian faith. But by the time Unitarians and Universalists decided to form one denomination together, the meaning of the terms "Unitarian" and "Universalist" had expanded beyond the traditional Christian understanding. Today’s UUs appreciate and value aspects of different religious and spiritual traditions, such as Judaism and Buddhism, from around the world. Although Unitarian Universalist congregations and fellowships tend to retain some Christian traditions, we do not in all cases identify ourselves as Christians, nor do we necessarily subscribe to Christian beliefs. How much one incorporates the elements of any particular faith tradition into one's personal spiritual practices is a matter of personal choice, in keeping with our creedless, non-dogmatic approach to spirituality and faith development.
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, was founded in 1961 as a consolidation of the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church in America. The UUA represents more than 1,000 member congregations that collectively include more than 217,000 members. Unitarian Universalists follow a congregational model of church governance, in which power resides at the local level; individual congregations call ministers and make other decisions involving worship, theology and day-to-day church management. The denominational headquarters in Boston in turn provides services for congregations that can more effectively be handled through joint efforts.