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What is Unitarian Universalism?

UUs are often asked “what do you believe?”

You will find some of those answers here.

Unitarian Universalism is a non-dogmatic, non-creedal faith.

We are a covenantal religion held by a set of guiding principles.

There around 215,000 people representing over 1,000 Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations in North America. While many other churches have been closing their doors, Unitarian Universalism grew nationally by 15.8% from 2000 to 2010, according to the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies.

 

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"May the poetry of our hearts set us free."
Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt
UUA President

The Flaming Chalice

The Unitarian Service Committee used the symbol of a flaming chalice during WWII in their work assisting political refugees. Since then, lighting a chalice has become a ritual in worship, recalling the principles of justice and compassion reflected in the Service Committee’s ministry. The flaming chalice has come to represent the Unitarian Universalist movement as a whole.

metal two ring chalice lit in stone chapel with multi-generational congregation

Unitarian Universalist Association

All members of the Long Island Area Council of Unitarian Universalist Congregations are also members of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). The UUA is the central organization for the Unitarian Universalist (UU) religious movement in the United States. The UUA grew from the union of two radical Christian groups in 1961: the Universalists, who organized in 1793, and the Unitarians, who organized in 1825. Each UU congregation is autonomous, congregational leaders set their own priorities and choose their own ministers and staff. Congregations vote for the leaders of the UUA, who oversee the central staff and resources.

more about the UUA

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