“A child can teach an adult three things: to be happy for no reason, to always be busy with something, and to know how to demand with all his might that which he desires.” ― Paulo Coelho |
For Parents New to Unitarian UniversalismWe've tried to collect things on this page that parents new to Unitarian Universalism might find valuable, helpful, and insightful. Rabbi Mordecai Kaplan, the great Jewish Reconstructionist theologian, mused that "Religion asks three things of us: to believe, to behave, and to belong." I would suggest to you that different faith traditions ask these three things of us in different proportions. In the Unitarian Universalist tradition, we lean toward the behaving (e.g. social justice is in our collective DNA) and belonging (we are a covenantal body), but not so much on believing a prescribed way (we are non-creedal/non-dogmatic). There is a place for you here. Come and be made whole. How can we help your journey?
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Believing
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Deliberately without an official creed or dogma (per the principle of freedom of thought), many Unitarian Universalists make use of the seven Principles and Purposes as a definition of what UUs believe. These "Principles and Purposes" are taken from the by-laws which govern the Unitarian Universalist Association. While these were written to govern congregations, not individuals, many UUs use them as guides for living their faith.
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Behaving
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Unitarian Universalists believe that we have the power to make a difference in the world, and that human beings are most fulfilled—most fully human—when we are working for the greater good. We are compelled and obligated to express our Unitarian Universalist values in the lives we lead. You might also hear the refrain, "Deeds, not creeds!" Some of our deepest soul work happens when we do something for someone else.
How shall I live reverently the rest of my days? How shall I attend to the whole of life, to the whole of creation? How shall I join in the healing and hope of the Holy today? These questions speak to a life of reverence and mindful attention. |
Belonging
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Unitarian Universalists are covenantal. "When we welcome babies in our church, when we welcome new members into the community, when we celebrate the love of beaming couples, when we ordain new ministers, we speak not in the binding language of contract, but in the life-sustaining fluency of covenant, from covenir, to "travel together." We will walk together with your child; we will walk together with you, friend; we will walk together with each other toward the lives we mean to lead, toward the world we mean to have a hand in shaping, the world of compassion, equity, freedom, joy, and gratitude. Covenant is the work of intimate justice."
— Rev Victoria Safford |
UU Child Dedication | What Is It? |
Rather than holding Christian-style baptisms, we instead have a child dedication ceremony. Unitarian Universalists believe that every child brings new life and hope into the world. We set aside a special time, called simply, the Ceremony of Dedication, for the community to bless the child and celebrate the blessing of this gift of life. The ceremony does not make the life of the child sacred; we believe that life is sacred inherently. When we dedicate a child we acknowledge the truth that each child's life is sacred and hold that truth in the light of our faith.
There is no “standard” UU Ceremony of Dedication, and each service may use different words and elements from family, cultural, and religious traditions. As we join together to name and dedicate the child and ourselves, the identity and values of the church community and the family give the ceremony meaning. We affirm our commitment to nurture the child and hold the child in the fabric of community. The UU Community welcomes the child in love into the human community, in the spirit of humanity's oneness, and into the fellowship of life! The Ceremony of Dedication includes the hope that the child's thoughts and actions will pass on to the future our heritage of freedom, service, and love. — Rev. Linda Olson Peebles If you are interested in a child dedication ceremony, please contact our Minister. |
You're Going to Get this QuestionRisk |
Will you serve?Cindy Leitner, Religious Educator, reminds us that: "The religious education of the children and youth in our church schools should be the responsibility of the entire congregation. This cooperative concept implies that everyone is invested in a commitment to excellence in religious education." Religious education is a vital part of the First Unitarian Church Mission and Vision. RE may be staff run, but it is volunteer driven. There is an expectation at First Unitarian church that sometime along the way, if you have children in our RE Program, that you teach or contribute to this vital undertaking in some meaningful way. But with duty, comes joy. Teaching in our program is one of the most profound adult faith development activities that we offer. Your life is just as likely to be transformed by this experience as the children and youths' that you teach. So, when you get the question, please say "YES!" when you are ready.
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UU HistoryMembership at First Unitarian
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We are spiritual beings by birthright. We are not human beings seeking a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings encountering a human experience. What we do here is Human Being Training. ―Steven Mead, Religious Educator