What do Unitarian Universalists Believe?

The Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism

We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, 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 congregations;

-- A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;

-- The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;

-- 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 which 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.

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

The Purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association

-- The Unitarian Universalist Association shall devote its resources to and exercise its corporate powers for religious, educational and humanitarian purposes. The primary purpose of the Association is to serve the needs of its member congregations, organize new congregations, extend and strengthen Unitarian Universalist institutions and implement its principles.

-- The Association declares and affirms its special responsibility, and that of its member societies and organizations, to promote the full participation of persons in all of its and their activities and in the full range of human endeavor without regard to race, color, sex, disability, affectional or sexual orientation, age, or national origin and without requiring adherence to any particular interpretation of religion or to any particular religious belief or creed.

-- Nothing herein shall be deemed to infringe upon the individual freedom of belief which is inherent in the Universalist and Unitarian heritages or to conflict with any statement of purpose, covenant, or bond of union used by any society unless such is used as a creedal test.

-- Theologically, the Unitarian Universalist Church does not have a set doctrine. There are Unitarians Universalists (UUs) who believe in God, there are UUs who do not, and there are agnostic UUs.

-- Some UUs feel a kinship with liberal Christianity, some do not. Some UUs are hopeful about existence after this life; many are quite content to celebrate the beauty and mystery of this life.

-- We honor and respect the individual and his or her personal relationship with that reality.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm Just Finding This Church;
What Should I Do to Get Involved & See What Appeals to Me?

When it comes to getting to know the Unitarian Universalist Church of Savannah, there are many steps you can take.

Sunday Services

The most obvious step, of course, is to attend one of our Sunday services. We meet each Sunday at 11 AM. Religious Education classes and Nursery care are also available for children and infants at that time.

Social Hour

Immediately following the service, join us for coffee and light refreshments in our Fellowship Hall.

Attend an Event

Check this website regularly for upcoming events. Events are also posted in our orders of service and in our newsletter. You can access our newsletter through this website or pick up a hard copy in our Fellowship Hall. Circle Suppers are a particularly good way to meet members and friends of this church in small groups. Keep a lookout for when the next suppers are to be held and sign up.

Attend All Committee Night

All of the church committees meet simultaneously on the 4th Tuesday of each month. The meetings are preceded by a vegetarian dinner that is prepared by one of our members and takes place in our Fellowship Hall. Dinner begins at 6 PM and the meetings usually begin by 6:45 PM. Feel free to participate on any committee. Learn how our church works.

Learn More About Unitarian Universalism

At the same time that you are becoming familiar with our church, we encourage you to learn more about our denomination.

Visit the Unitarian Universalist Association Website The website can be accessed at www.uua.org Find out how our larger denomination works and get some general information about Unitarian Universalist history and practices.

Take Home Some Brochures Several brochures are available in our foyer and in our Fellowship Hall. They address how we approach many topics of interest.

Attend a Newcomer Breakfast

The membership committee sponsors a special breakfast for newcomers on a periodic basis. During these breakfasts, our minister and committee members will answer questions you may have about our church and you will be given a brief introduction to Unitarian Universalism.

Attend Our UU Orientation Classes

Classes are offered quarterly and go into more detail about the purposes and principles of our denomination and its history, including the rich history of Unitarian Universalism in Savannah. These classes are considered a precursor to becoming a member of our church.

Membership

After attending our UU Orientation classes, if you feel that you wish to support the activities of our church with your time and finances as you are able, we will invite you to sign our membership book on one of the four Membership Sundays we have each year.

If you have been a member of our church previously or have come to us as a member of another UU church, we invite you to discuss your desire to become a member with our minister, Rev. Joan Schneider.

YOU ARE WELCOME HERE!

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