Unitarian Universalism 101

Let’s start at the very beginning… ARIUS 250-336CE Jesus is NOT equal to God. ARIUS ORIGEN – 185-254CE Eventually ALL will be saved

Our Roots in Transylvania Francis David King Sigismund (first and only Unitarian King) Act of religious tolerance 1568

Calvinism ● God. An absolute monarch, on whom we are totally dependent. ● Salvation. God has judged all humans deserving of hell, but is “loving”—has been persuaded by Jesus to let some (the “elect”) into heaven anyway. Your fate is predestined: If you are slated for hell, there is nothing you can do to earn your way into heaven. ● Humanity. Only a small percentage are saved BOTH UNITARIANISM AND UNIVERSALISM ARE A REACTION AGAINST CALVINISM

William Ellery Channing Unitarianism William Ellery Channing “Unitarian Christianity” 1819 Rejects Trinity Rejects divinity of Jesus Rejects centrality of Jesus’ fall and resurrection

Unitarianism The original American Unitarian Association founded in 1825 Unitarianism developed in long-established settlements around Boston. Unitarianism originated among Harvard-educated clergy.

UNITARIANISM Ralph Waldo Emerson Divinity School Address, 1838 Moral intuition is a better guide to the moral sentiment than religious doctrine, Discounted the necessity of belief in the historical miracles of Jesus

Universalism John Murray – Popularized Universalism in the US

UNIVERSALISM Universalist Church of America was founded in 1793 The first Universalists were come outers who walked out of their home congregations and started new, liberal congregations Universalists were generally from a less-privileged social class than Unitarians Leaders typically less educated

Universalism Hosea Ballou A Treatise on Atonement…

UNIVERSALISM OLYMPIA BROWN First woman ordained/called to a church in US in 1863 Active in suffrage movement

Congregational Polity Cambridge Platform of 1648 “Each church is autonomous, because there is no higher authority than the congregation” Now, each Unitarian Universalist congregation: Determines own staffing, finances, governance and operational structure Expectation (but not a requirement) to contribute to UUA

MERGER 1961 Universalist Church of America and the American Unitarian Association approve consolidation

Notable Events since Consolidation 1965 1967–1970 1977 Rev. James Reeb and Viola Luizzo murdered in Selma “Black Empowerment Controversy” Women in Religion Resolution

Unitarian Universalist Principles 1st Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person; 2nd Principle: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations; 3rd Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations; 4th Principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning; 5th Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large; 6th Principle: The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; 7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

Sources of our Living Tradition 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.

Unitarian Universalist Elevator Speeches In Unitarian Universalist congregations, we gather in community to support our individual spiritual journeys. We trust that openness to one another's experiences will enhance our understanding of our own links with the divine, with our history, and with one another. — Rev. Jonalu Johnstone, Oklahoma City, It's a blessing each of us was born; It matters what we do with our lives; What each of us knows about God is a piece of the truth; We don't have to do it alone.— Laila Ibrahim, Berkeley, CA

https://www.uua.org/beliefs/who-we-are/video

Connecting with & Supporting the larger UU movement Attend Southeast Unitarian Universalist Summer Institute (NC) Attend The Mountain programs (for youth and adults in Highlands, NC) Attend Southern Region Events & Trainings Attend General Assembly (St. Louis in 2018) UU College of Social Justice journeys International Council of Unitarians & Universalists UU World Magazine & Social Media Unitarian Universalist Service Committee Read Beacon Press Books