As Rev. Barbara Wells ten Hove explains, “The Principles are not dogma or doctrine, but rather a guide for those of us who choose to join and participate in Unitarian Universalist religious communities.” For us these principles give us a center around which we may gather together as a liberal religious community to carry out our mission in Burlington.
We are a congregation of diverse people who do not have a creed or a dogma, but rather believe in:
- the 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 rights 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.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT - WHY WE GATHER
Since 1950 we have gathered as a liberal religious community for both encouragement and empowerment in our daily lives. In doing so we not only improve ourselves as individuals, but we seek to improve the community in which we live. As an open and welcoming congregation our mission is:
- to nurture a spiritual community, gathered in love for renewal, learning and celebration
- to provide spiritual experiences for all ages to grow together
- to integrate members and newcomers into the life of the congregation
- to live our commitment to social justice in our community and the larger world
- to speak our truth with love, and to labor for compassionate justice
OUR "LIVING TRADITION" - THE SOURCES THAT GUIDE US
- Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness of the forces that 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 sacredness of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
WHAT WE DO
We meet at the meeting house at 625 North Sixth Street every Sunday morning at 10:30 for fellowship and discussions, programs, and speakers that focus on one or more of these principles. We do not meet on the Sunday of Snake Alley Art Fair, and at other times due to inclement weather. We also meet at other times for shared programming and fellowship. We welcome all who come willing to share in our liberal religion and search for truth and meaning.
