We are one faith with many beliefs. In our sanctuary, you will find theists of all stripes, agnostics, and atheists sitting side by side. One way we attempt to capture this is through the six sources that nourish our faith:

1. Personal experiences of mystery and wonder
2. Wise people whose lives remind us to act for justice, compassion, and love
3. Ethical and spiritual wisdom from the world’s religions
4. Jewish & Christian teachings on God’s love & loving our neighbors
5. Humanist teachings on the use of reason and the discoveries of science
6. Earth-centered teachings on living in harmony with nature

You can read the full version of the six sources here: https://www.uua.org/beliefs/what-we-believe/sources

In addition to the current six sources, throughout this month, we have been reflecting on the value of pluralism as it is expressed in the new proposed covenantal language for the wider Unitarian Universalist Association. Here is that value written in full:

Pluralism. We celebrate that we are all sacred beings, diverse in culture, experience, and theology. We covenant to learn from one another in our free and responsible search for truth and meaning. We embrace our differences and commonalities with Love, curiosity, and respect.

As Unitarian Universalists, we engage with multiple sources of meaning over time and allow them to influence and shape our moral and spiritual understandings. Each of us will be drawn more to certain sources that resonate with our journeys, and which ones may well change over our lifetime. Jewish and Christian teachings were a vital component of my faith growing up. They still are, but Buddhist teachings and the words and deeds of prophetic people also take up significant space in my world view. As a lifelong UU, I am grateful for the ways that each of our six sources is woven into the tapestry that grounds our faith. I am also grateful for the ways I have been acquainted with these sources through the faith journeys of fellow Unitarian Universalists and the faith journeys of interfaith collaborators in the wider world. 

I invite you to reflect on which of our sources undergirds your worldview, your decision-making, and your understanding of what is sacred. There are many wonderful resources out there to help you connect more deeply to each one.

There are affiliated organizations of the UUA that offer connections and resources to. individuals inspired by a particular source. Here are some of these groups: 

·      Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship: www.uuchristian.com

·      Unitarian Universalists for Jewish Awareness: www.uuja.org

·      Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship: www.uubf.org

·      Association of Unitarian Universalist Humanists: www.huumanists.org

·      Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans: www.cuups.org

·      UU Ministry for Earth: www.uuministryforearth.org

Here are a few books as well:

1.     Stories of Faith by Gail Forsyth-Vail (children’s stories) https://www.uuabookstore.org/Stories-in-Faith-P16975.aspx 

2.     A Chosen Faith by Forrest Church & John Buehrens https://www.uuabookstore.org/A-Chosen-Faith-P16848.aspx 

3.     The UU Voices Series of books https://www.uua.org/publications/skinnerhouse/voices-series 

I wish you meaningful exploration. May the season of renewal and spring in the world around us also invite us into a time of the spirit blooming within.

In faith,

Rev. Alison