A Welcoming Congregation
We are an intentionally diverse religious community,
welcoming all people without reference to race, religious background,
ideological outlook, gender, family status, sexual orientation, or ethnic heritage.
We are a spiritual community united in celebration of our Unitarian Universalist principles.
We are committed to caring for each other with acceptance and respect. We pledge to sustain
a sacred space where, together, we seek personal growth, life's meaning, and social justice.
Through our actions, we serve as a catalyst for social change.
Our Unitarian Universalist Principles
UUCJ is a Unitarian Universalist Association Member Congregation
These principles and sources of faith are the foundation of our religious community:
- Direct experience of the transcending mystery and wonder affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to 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 sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
While UU congregations may differ in their focus on aspects of our spiritual sources,
all are committed to affirm and promote seven core principles:
- 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.
Our Congregational Covenant
As members of this congregation, to nurture and enhance our lives together in this sacred space, seeking personal growth, discerning life’s meaning, and building relationships of fairness and love, we intend to:
- Offer our unique gifts, talents, time, energy, and financial support.
- Respect the views and needs of others, practicing tolerance, understanding and acceptance even in disagreement, allowing loving relationships to transcend issues.
- Celebrate the diversity within our midst, even when it is difficult or uncomfortable.
- Invite and welcome others in the quest for spiritual and ethical growth, recognizing each other and our guests in fellowship.
- Share the ministry of our church, caring for each other through times of joy and sorrow.
Thus do we covenant with one other.
