Unitarian Universalism is a living tradition that has changed in many ways from the original Christian roots of its Universalist and Unitarian heritages, and it continues to evolve today. Most recently, this evolution has taken the form of adopting new language to describe who we are as UUs. At General Assembly in June 2024, UUs voted to update the existing Seven Principles and Six Sources language in our bylaws with language describing Unitarian Universalism through these shared values:
- Interdependence: We honor the interdependent web of all existence and acknowledge our place in it.
- Equity: We declare that every person is inherently worthy and has the right to flourish with dignity, love, and compassion.
- Transformation: We adapt to the changing world.
- Pluralism: We are all sacred beings, diverse in culture, experience, and theology.
- Generosity: We cultivate a spirit of gratitude and hope.
- Justice: We work to be diverse multicultural Beloved Communities where all feel welcome and can thrive.
The image above, designed by Tanya Webster (chalicedays.org), is of a chalice with an overlay of the word Love over the flame, with six outstretched arms that create a circle around each of the core values and form a six-petal flower shape.
Each arm is a different color, and clockwise they are: Interdependence (Orange), Equity (Red), Transformation (Purple), Pluralism (Blue), Generosity (Green), and Justice (Yellow).
We arrived at this description of Unitarian Universalism after a multi-year process of discernment and discussion, writing and revision, and eventually a final democratic vote. The process of review and revision is mandated by UUA bylaws to happen every 15 years, and the language describing Unitarian Universalist faith has changed multiple times over the course of our history. We encourage you to review the final adopted language of Article II, which includes our shared values.
In 2021, following a process of learning, introspection, and community commitment, CUUC and other Unitarian Universalist congregations voted to adopt an 8th principle focusing on our commitment to racial justice. The eighth principle was an addition to the Seven Principles, adopted in 1985.
- Journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.
More information about Unitarian Universalism can be found on uua.org.
COVENANTAL FAITH
Unitarian Universalism is a covenantal faith. We do not all have to believe the same thing so part of what unites us in community is our covenant (a commitment or, agreement) to support each other on our unique, individual journeys. Our congregation has a community covenant, and at the beginning of each year, individual classes and the youth group create their small-group covenants. ‘
our covenant
With open hearts and minds,
we, the community of CUUC, children, youth, adults, elders, all,
covenant together to shape our congregation on a foundation
of love, acceptance, kindness and respect.
Strengthened by our common humanity,
we strive to be welcoming, inclusive, and cultivate a sense of belonging.
We embrace diversity as a source of strength, honoring the gifts we each
bring.
We can disagree respectfully and be open to change, understanding that people meet
with different abilities, backgrounds, experiences, and expectations.
Sharing a vision of being in relationship with one another,
we listen to others with curiosity and compassion,
and we provide space for the quiet to be heard.
We support one another in times of joy and in times of struggle.
And we make time for rest and renewal.
Working side by side,
we strengthen our community as we engage in acts of service.
We acknowledge our vulnerabilities while building trust among ourselves,
enabling us to work together toward justice in our world.
We participate and pledge as we can to support our community.
Inspired to explore life’s questions and mysteries,
we affirm and kindle our connectedness.
We foster the journeys of our congregants across generations
while in the embrace of community.
Honoring our interdependence,
we hold ourselves accountable to each other by earnestly engaging in
dialogue,
both to understand and to be understood. When we fall short of our covenant,
we seek to reconcile with one another with patience and grace.
When needed, we ask for support from our minister and congregation.
We hold ourselves to these ideals, and each day, we begin again with love.
This process is an opportunity to listen to what each person needs in that space, and from each other, so they can continue learning and growing. These agreements are recorded and posted, so they are available as a resource throughout the year to remind us of the promises we made to each other when challenges arise.
In addition, the Religious Exploration ministry at CUUC strives to create thoughtful communication and connections, in a climate that promotes and affirms the values of our eight UU Principles and supports CUUC’s mission. The ultimate objective is for each adult, youth, and child to experience a positive and rewarding learning experience.
Initiatives
With these values, our congregation supports many larger national movements as well as local initiatives.
Welcoming Congregation
Being an LGBTQ Welcoming Congregation means that our members include lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning people at all levels of congregational life – worship, programming, and social events. It also means that an understanding of the experiences and concerns of LGBTQ+ people is part of the fabric of our spiritual life, and so is the appreciation for their contributions to our society and culture.
We believe it is important to be welcoming not only to LGBTQ+ people, but to all people, including (and not limited to): people of different genders, gender identities, races, ethnicities, ages, and abilities, as well as sexual orientations.
More “Welcoming Congregation” InfoSide with Love
Unitarian Universalists affirm unconditional, universal love as a foundation and grounding for our actions in the world. We strive to be of service to our communities and advocate for change on local, state, national, and international levels.
Through the UUA Side with Love campaign, we amplify the voices of the oppressed through online media; we show up in partnership at justice events across the country; we lobby national leaders on reproductive rights, immigration reform, racial justice, equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people; religious freedom, and more; and above all we work to make love real in the world.
Black Lives Matter
CUUC believes that the racial profiling, police brutality, voting restrictions, and mass imprisonment of African Americans, and other people of color, in the United States is a moral outrage. We principally support the Black Lives Matter movement.
Social Justice Teams
The third part of CUUC’s mission statement is to “engage in service to transform ourselves and our world.” Our goal is for each Member and Friend to participate on one team. This is an invitation, not an obligation, to be involved as you are able and as your time allows. Which Social Justice Team resonates most powerfully with you? Our teams include:
- Democracy Matters/UU the Vote
- Environmental Practices
- Hunger and Homelessness
- LGBTQIA Justice
- Racial Justice / In the Spirit of Truth
- Refugee Resettlement
- Reproductive Rights
To learn more, go to our social justice teams page.
Our Mission
We covenant to:
Nurture each other in our spiritual journeys, foster compassion and understanding within and beyond our community, and engage in service to transform ourselves and our world.
Our Vision Statement
Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation at White Plains will be a welcoming “sanctuary without walls” that promotes diversity, fellowship, spiritual growth, and inspiration, while committing to people and the planet through social action and service.
