Unitarian Universalist Association
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Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), in full the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations in North America, is a liberal religious association of Unitarian Universalist congregations formed by the consolidation in 1961 of the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America. Both of these predecessor organizations were Christian Unitarian and Universalism denominations; but modern Unitarian Universalists define themselves as non-creedal, and therefore they may have not only Christian beliefs or affinities —they may draw wisdom from other religions and philosophies as well, such as Humanism (with a plurality or majority), Buddhism, Judaism, and Earth-centered spirituality, among others, or different individual combinations of them. Therefore the UUA qualifies as a form of post-Christian liberal religion with syncretistic leanings.
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[edit] Congregations
Most of the member congregations of the UUA are in the United States and Canada, but it has also admitted congregations from Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines and Pakistan (although UUA policy appears at present to be against admitting any new congregations from outside North America, instead having them form their own national bodies and having these bodies join the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists). Canadian congregations are all members of both the UUA and the Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC). Until 2001, most services to Canadian congregations were provided by the UUA; however the UUA and CUC have now agreed that most services will henceforth be delivered to Canadian congregations by the CUC, although the UUA will retain responsibilities in relation to the management of ministers.
[edit] Organization
The UUA is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, the historical center of Unitarian Christianity in America. As of 2003, the UUA comprised 20 Districts, 1,042 congregations with 157,920 certified members and 61,795 church school enrollees served by 1,623 ministers.[1]
[edit] Decentralized Association
The UUA is not a denomination in the traditional sense; the UUA is an association of congregations with no one organization able to speak authoritatively for the whole. It is the congregations that have authority over the larger body. This relationship is effected by the annual General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Because the general public understands denomination much more readily than association of congregations, the distinction is generally elided in conversation. Because of this relationship between the congregations and the association, Unitarian Universalist congregations have a congregational polity of governance. Other denominations with congregational polity include most Baptists, the Church of Christ, the Disciples of Christ, and the United Church of Christ. However, for the more day to day decisions, there is a Board of Trustees that is elected at General Assembly .
In its role as a national organization representing the congregations, the UUA is a member of various organizations, both religious and secular.
[edit] Principles and Purposes
The UUA does not have a central creed which members are required to believe in, but they have found it useful to articulate their common values in what has become known as the Principles and Purposes. The modern form of these was adopted in 1984 and has been amended once; it is presented here, as published in church literature and on the UUA website. Official permission was granted by the UUA to include them here:
- The Principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association
- "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.
[edit] General Assembly
Main Article: General Assembly
General Assembly (GA) is held every year in June in a different city in North America. Member congregations (and a few other member organizations) send delegates and conventioneers to participate in the plenary sessions, workshops, District gatherings, and worship services.
[edit] Related organizations
Three non-congregational organizations belong to the UUA as Associate Member organizations. Associate Member organizations are esteemed as inherently integral to the work of the UUA and its member congregations, and are accorded two voting delegates each to the annual General Assembly. One of the Associate Member organizations is the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC), which is active in social change actions.
The UUA also recognizes many organizations as Independent Affiliate organizations. These organizations are created by Unitarian Universalists as needed to meet the special needs of the diversity within Unitarian Universalism. These groups provide specialized spiritual support, work for specific social justice issues, provide support for religious professionals, etc.
The UUA owns Beacon Press, a nationally-known publisher of both fiction and non-fiction books. Skinner House Books publishes books primarily of interest to Unitarian Universalists.
[edit] Presidents of the UUA
The president of the UUA is its CEO and the religious leader of Unitarian Universalism in the US. The president serves a term of four years and may be re-elected.
| Name | Elected |
|---|---|
| Dana McLean Greeley | 1961 |
| Robert West | 1969 |
| Paul Carnes | 1977 |
| O. Eugene Pickett | 1979* |
| William Schulz | 1985 |
| John A. Buehrens | 1993 |
| William G. Sinkford | 2001 |
*Eugene Pickett was elected president by the Board of Trustees upon the death of Paul Carnes. He was subsequently elected to a four-year term by the General Assembly.
[edit] External links
"Unitarian Universalist Association was given corporate status in May 1961 under special acts of legislature of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of New York. See Chapter 148 of the acts of 1960 of the Massachusetts legislature and Chapter 827 of the Acts of 1960 of the New York legislature. Copies of said Acts are attached to the minutes of the organizing meeting of the Association held in Boston, Massachusetts in May 1961 and also are printed in the 1961-62 Directory of the Association."
