Sometimes I get asked the question, “Can you be a Unitarian Universalist on your own?” On one hand, the answer is yes, because ten times the number of people who are members in our churches say that they are UU when polled. On the other hand, given the nature of our faith it’s difficult to do so outside of a community of practice. Being a Unitarian Universalist is exercised through interdependence and not independence.
We are a covenantal faith and not a creedal faith. In short, this means we believe in deeds not creeds. Being a Unitarian Universalist is about how we fulfill our inspirational and aspirational promises, which are best encapsulated by our 8 Principles (found in our congregation’s bylaws) and the new expression of our faith with love at the center and the radiating six values of Justice, Equity, Transformation, Pluralism, Interdependence, and Generosity (found in the UUA’s bylaws).
While our faith is about how we put our values into practice, that doesn’t mean that we don’t hold beliefs. Many of us hold beliefs as individuals that undergird the shared values and promises we make with one another. For example, whether you are inspired by beliefs grounded in Earth-based traditions, Buddhist philosophy, Humanistic understandings, Christian teachings, or some other path, you may hold in common our religious commitment to honor and promote the interdependent web of life. It matters that we share this collective commitment; and part of the will to fulfill it comes from what individuals in our community believe to be true, worthwhile, and good.
There is a value to understanding what each of us believes, to articulating it, and to sharing it with one another.
Beliefs matter. That doesn’t stop being true in a congregation like ours where we don’t all believe the same thing. We practice religious pluralism, which means that we affirm that there are many paths to wisdom/God/goodness. Individual beliefs alongside the collective promises we make both play a part in shaping who we are and who we are becoming.
Our youth go through a Coming-of-Age experience where they are given an opportunity to explore what they believe about things like the nature of humanity and divinity and what matters about our living and our dying, too. Many adults long to have the same kind of experience. Even those who have had this experience in the past may want to do it again later in life. It is a beautiful thing to be in a room of fellow UUs and to witness the varieties and expressions of our faith. I always feel we come closer to what is ultimately true or of ultimate importance when we make the space to listen to multiple people sharing from multiple experiences.
Rev. Tom and I are teaching, “Articulating Your Faith,” an eight-part series once a month beginning on the second Wednesday of November at 5:30pm onsite at First Unitarian Portland. We hope that some of you will feel inspired to join us. You can register here: https://tinyurl.com/ArticulateFaith. There are so many ways to practice together in our community, and this is one offering.
May each of us grow in our understanding of what is grounding us and guiding us in these turbulent times.
In faith,
Rev. Alison