About Unitarian Universalism - Fourth Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Westchester

Unitarian Universalism

Unitarian Universalism is a theologically diverse liberal religion born of the union of two reformist Christian-based faiths: Unitarianism and Universalism. Founded in 1793, the Universalist Church of America was based on the idea of universal salvation. The American Unitarian Association was founded in 1825, and promoted the oneness of God. Both religions had long histories of liberalism and activism; Unitarians and Universalists were among the most outspoken advocates for social change, including abolition, women's suffrage, and prison reform. After the two faith groups joined together in 1961, many UUs became active in the Civil Rights Movement.

Today, Unitarian Universalists continue to stand at the forefront of social justice and change, being involved in the most pressing issues of our time, including racism, sexism, LGBTQ rights, and climate change. Our rich theological pluralism encourages us to embrace the teachings of all religions. We do not share a common creed, but we do share a covenant which affirms the right of individuals to a free and responsible search for true meaning.

The symbol of Unitarian Universalism is the flaming chalice, which represents "the light of reason, the warmth of community, and the flame of hope."

For a more in-depth look at our history, please read Values in Our History.

The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is the parent organization for the more than 1,000 UU congregations in the United States. As a member of the UUA, The Fourth Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Westchester is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive faith tradition based on our Seven Principles (see below). Each member congregation of the UUA is democratic, sets its own priorities, and makes its own independent decisions regarding all issues including the hiring of ministers and staff.

Our Shared Values

While each congregation is free to express its beliefs in any way it chooses, there are shared values that Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote. These values embody how our national association describes our commonly held beliefs.

Love: Love is the power that holds us together and is at the center of our shared values. We are accountable to one another for doing the work of living our shared values through the spiritual discipline of Love.

Interdependence: We honor the interdependent web of all existence. With reverence for the great web of life and with humility, we acknowledge our place in it. We covenant to protect Earth and all beings from exploitation. We will create and nurture sustainable relationships of care and respect, mutuality and justice. We will work to repair harm and damaged relationships.

Pluralism: We celebrate that we are all sacred beings, diverse in culture, experience, and theology. We covenant to learn from one another in our free and responsible search for truth and meaning. We embrace our differences and commonalities with Love, curiosity, and respect.

Justice: We work to be diverse multicultural Beloved Communities where all thrive. We covenant to dismantle racism and all forms of systemic oppression. We support the use of inclusive democratic processes to make decisions within our congregations, our Association, and society at large.

Transformation: We adapt to the changing world. We covenant to collectively transform and grow spiritually and ethically. Openness to change is fundamental to our Unitarian and Universalist heritages, never complete and never perfect.

Generosity: We cultivate a spirit of gratitude and hope. We covenant to freely and compassionately share our faith, presence, and resources. Our generosity connects us to one another in relationships of interdependence and mutuality.

Equity: We declare that every person is inherently worthy and has the right to flourish with dignity, love, and compassion. We covenant to use our time, wisdom, attention, and money to build and sustain fully accessible and inclusive communities.

The Sources of our Faith

Grateful for the religious pluralism that enriches and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision. The living tradition 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.

The Vision for Unitarian Universalism

Unitarian Universalists (UUs) envision a life filled with compassion for all, shared in beloved community, and lived in a just world. We commit ourselves to pursuing this vision faithfully, passionately, and humbly. We invite all who share our vision to join us in this spiritual journey.
(Created through the Gathered Here process, 2012)
source: UUA website, 2015

Our Commitment to Social Justice

Throughout history, Unitarians and Universalists have been at the forefront of the fight for social justice, living out our legacy of "deeds, not creeds". Part of our service to our communities is to advocate for change on the local, state, national and international levels. As such, members of our religion have often been leaders in the most critical social movements, including the abolition of slavery, women's suffrage, civil rights and reproductive rights. Today, we continue that tradition through our commitment to justice on the most pressing issues of our times: climate change, LGBT rights, racial oppression, immigration, voting rights, and more. To read more about the UUA's commitment to social justice, click here.

Want to know more about Unitarian Universalism? Visit the UUA website!

Create Climate Justice is a UU collaborative movement bringing together several climate-focused groups to share information and resources in order to make a positive impact on the climate crisis and support climate justice.

Unitarian Universalists affirm unconditional, universal love as a foundation and grounding for our actions in the world. Side With Love (formerly known as Standing on the Side of Love) is a campaign to mobilize UUs and allies in response to identity-based violence, exclusion and oppression.

Click here to see how the UUA is participating in this important issue.

Highlights from GA 2019!

General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Attendees worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process.