UU World

The inherent worth and dignity of the individual is not just our First Principle as Unitarian Universalists: often it is our defining principle. But we frequently overlook another strand of our tradition in our Association’s Principles and Purposes, another story about ourselves that can deepen and grow our future. It is not the language of individualism…but of covenant: “As free congregations we…promis[e] to one another our mutual trust and support.

–The Rev. Dr. Fredric J. Muir, “Our defining principle,” UU World, Winter 2012

The green of a new leaf, lit from behind with the spring sun—that color stays inside me, a glowing place of peace, the certainty of remaining part of life.

–The Rev. Meg Barnhouse, “The green after,“ UU World, Winter 2012

Unitarian Universalists are a people engaged in the perpetual search of truth and meaning. What any one of us knows and has experienced is only one piece of the truth. Let us open ourselves to what we can learn from each other, as well as from those we have yet to meet.

–Kathleen Rolenz, “Speaking with many voices,” UU World, Winter 2012

Is my soul the seed, or is it the light? I say it is both. Do we long for the Divine, or are we divine ourselves? Both. Do we search for God or is God within us? Both.

–The Rev. Meg Barnhouse, “When God is a baby,” uuworld.org, 12/10/12

God is here in this tree, up there in that star, in the kiss you gave Grandma. Divine Spirit resides in stories of Jesus and every other teacher of the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. 

–Jackie Magnuson Ash, “Workshop of being,” UU World, Winter 2012

…We need more people who want to teach and heal, and who can have the presence of mind to doubt their powers when they don’t work.

-The Rev. Meg Barnhouse, “The next Jesus to come through the door,” uuworld.org, 12/24/12

Learning from and about each other helps us practice true hospitality.

 –Kathleen Rolenz, “Speaking with many voices,” UU World, Winter 2012

To the casual eye we Unitarian Universalists are a Protestant church. But listen to the word preached, listen to the conversations in coffee hour, and something else becomes quickly, startlingly obvious. What is it? What is our healing message? To what are we pointing, to what are we being beckoned, within our gatherings?

 –The Rev. James Ishmael Ford, “Unitarian Universalism’s two truths,” uuworld.org, 12/31/12

My hope is that my ministry, along with all that science is learning, will open minds and hearts to the possibility of these relationships. You may not want a dog in your house, but look at all we’re learning. Likewise, there needs to be room that not everyone is going to have that kind of bond and don’t have to.

–The Rev. Eliza Blanchard, “Caring for all creatures,” by Kimberly French, UU World, Winter 2012

Sometimes I think my soul will float in an ocean of love. Will I recognize old friends, family, who have gone on ahead? I don’t know. I think I will know they are there. I will know this: there is not now, nor was the ever, any separation between us. I will know that they were with me as strongly when I was alive as when I’m part of the leaves.

–The Rev. Meg Barnhouse, “The green after,” UU World, Winter 2012