Unitarian / Universalism - What is it?
Unitarian Universalism is a faith that aspires to be a truthful, serving, holy, and loving community. We belong to a way of religion that challenges the orthodoxies of our era. We believe that facing this real and known world with integrity is preferable to yearning for an imagined and unknown one later on. We come to our religious values experientially. The beliefs we hold are not so much revealed to us as experienced by us. We encourage our children to develop their own working wisdoms. All who would participate in our Unitarian Universalist cradle-to-grave religious adventure have the opportunity to develop a faith that is personally meaningful, intellectually sound, socially relevant, and spiritually expansive.
Unitarian Universalism reminds us that we are not sufficient unto ourselves but are interdependent. We are called to treat tenderly and justly the entire universe, and all forms of life therein.
Unitarian Universalists seek to be whole humans, sensitive to the sacred. We hold that the holy is present amid the ordinary and that spirituality permeates the commonplace. We believe that people hunger for a holy place where minds are stimulated, hearts are fortified, bodies are embraced, and spirits are restored.
7 Principles We Promote
- The inherent worth and dignity of every person
- Justice, equality, and compassion in human relations
- Acceptance of one another and encouragement of 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 with our congregation 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
- We provide life-long religious education for children and adults.
- We cooperate with other faith and community organizations to increase justice and equality in the world.
- We act to assure justice, equality, peace and environmental protection.
- We incorporate fellowship, fun, food, and faith in our activities.
- We offer meaningful worship services and other opportunities for spiritual growth.
- We seek to create a safe and caring community of faith through compassion and understanding.
People's Church Vision Statement
People’s Church provides a loving religious home that welcomes all people, honors diversity, and celebrates common values. We support one another in our individual searches for spiritual truths that give meaning to life. Collectively, we seek to act on those truths in our community and in the world.
People’s Church officially began on March 15, 1994, partly inspired by the memories of an earlier fellowship that existed in our area from 1967-76. In the early days of the People’s Church, Sunday services were conducted by members of the congregation and were held in several different buildings. The current building was purchased in 1997. Part time ordained Unitarian Universalist ministers were hired to cover some of the services. As the church grew in membership, it was able to qualify for a full time minister through the Unitarian Universalist Association’s extension ministry program. After 5 years, a search took place and resulted in our first full time “Called Minister”. The church now has one full-time minister. Some services continue to be presented by outside speakers and lay embers of the congregations.
Members and friends come from a wide range of religious traditions. Many were raised in traditional churches but left when they felt they could no longer support the teaching of their church. Some people come with no prior religious experience. Some come as self-described agnostics or atheists. All who seek a religious community without a creed are welcome at People’s Church. We seek to build community out of diverse religious points of view and to support the individual spiritual journey. Life-long learning and personal growth is highly valued. Many people who attend People’s Church are also active volunteers in the larger community. Working for the common good is a deeply shared value.
We are brave, curious, compassionate thinkers and doers!