Our Principles

We are a free church and are an autonomous member of the community of congregations joined in the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Rather than being united by a creed to which everyone must subscribe, we have joined in covenant around our Principles. We cherish individual freedom of belief and our church is open to all regardless of race, ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, politics, or philosophy.

We covenant to affirm and promote:

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

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 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.

Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision. As a free congregation we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust and support.

Because of high interest in the December 15, 2002 service entitled "Three Stars of the First Magnitude," we have added links to the Channing's Baltimore Sermon, Emerson's Divinity School Address and Parker's South Boston Sermon.

Updated Oct 3, 2007 wfr