The chapel at the Poughkeepsie fellowship. Photos by Jennifer May.

We, the members of the Unitarian Universalist Association affirm and promote:
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; and
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

These are the seven guiding principles of Unitarian Universalism, a faith-based tradition that demands no adherence to doctrine as do most of the world's major religions. Instead, with these principles as a foundation, it holds that the authority in questions of spirituality and behavior is oneself, based on conscience, reasoning, and experience.

"We define ourselves as an ethical religion versus a creed-based religion," explains Linda Anderson, minister at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Catskills in Kingston. "I don't tell anybody what to believe, or have 'the truth' that they should follow—that's not my role as the minister. My role as the worship leader is to build a service that touches people and encourages access to their beliefs and themselves, and to be moved on many levels—intellectual, emotional, spiritual."

Unitarian Universalism welcomes people who are sure there is a god or a goddess, or are sure there is neither. It is a haven for people who disagree with certain parts of their learned religion but still want to celebrate the rest. Couples from mixed religious backgrounds can worship together in the same room.

Linda Curtis, President of the board of Poughkeepsie's Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, cherishes the diversity of people in her congregation. "At any given service you'll find a Buddhist, a Catholic, a Protestant, an atheist, a Humanist, a pagan. I was raised Catholic but had no interest in it as a teenager. I still had a sense of spirituality—a mix of Buddhism and earth-based spirituality—but there was no place for me to go to express that, or to find other people like me." She turned to Unitarian Universalism when seeking a spiritual community for her children to grow up in. "I've been there for years. I love it."

Kay Greenleaf, minister of the Poughkeepsie fellowship with Linda Curtis, board president. Photo by Jennifer May.

Unitarian Universalism is sometimes mistaken for a New Age phenomenon, but it has its roots in Christianity of the 1500s. "It started at the same time as other Protestant denominations, when people were questioning some of the doctrines and traditions," Linda Anderson explains. "One group questioned the Trinity: 'What do you mean that the nature of god is a Trinity?' They believed the nature of God was one, not three." The Unitarian tradition evolved from that group. A separate lineage evolved from Christianity in the 1700s. "Many people were doing their own readings of the Bible at that time, finding their own meaning of God. Some were rethinking the assertion that only certain people would be saved after death and others wouldn't. They said, 'We understand that God is a god of love. So how could such a being do that?' They believed that there was a universal God who would save everyone." That group became the Universalist tradition.

"In 1961 representatives of the two sects merged and formed the Unitarian Universalist Association," she continues. "Today we are an association of independent congregations of people who believe many different things. The statement of seven principles was voted upon by representatives of all congregations at a general assembly, and each congregation and each individual can accept them or not. Freedom and choice run throughout everything we do. Our symbol is a flaming chalice inside two circles. The circles represent Unitarian and Universalist. The chalice is a wide cup that's big enough for all humanity to drink from. The flame inside is the flame of freedom, truth, courage."

Children of the Kingston fellowship. Photo by Betty Greenwald.

Not surprisingly, the flow and content of a Unitarian Universalist service—generally held on a Sunday—varies both within a single congregation and among them. Some common aspects are a ritual lighting of the flame in the chalice, a silent meditation, music or singing, words from the minister or a layperson, and a time for speaking personal concerns or needs. That last portion, "Joys and Sorrows," gives people the chance to speak feelings from the heart or to express them silently by simply lighting a candle. "It's quite amazing what people will share," Anderson says. "Many people think of it as the heart of the community."

Children are encouraged to be seen and heard. Mike Ignatowski, who attends the Kingston congregation with his wife and daughter, describes a regular part of service called Not for Children Only as "a miniservice for the children, but adults enjoy it too. The minister or a member of the congregation tells a story that illustrates situations in which people behave ethically. We want the children to have some upbringing in morals and ethics." Sometimes the children or teens will give a presentation for the adults in place of the usual service, or plan and lead an entire service.

There are religious education classes for children too. "They're a wonderful mixture of exposures to different religions," says Linda Curtis. "Children learn the common core beliefs among all religions, which describe the human condition. Teens have a year-long coming-of-age program to explore all types of spirituality, visit different churches, synagogues, mosques, and go on retreats. It's a time for them to come up with their own spiritual understanding."

Teens are also offered a sexuality program with a unique approach. "It puts the birds and the bees in the context of relationships among people," says Dave Belden, Kingston congregation. "It combines fact with a values-based approach, handling both the information and talking about doing no harm to others. I hope it turns out to be one of the best gifts we've given our son."

Linda Anderson, minister of the Kingston fellowship. Photo by Betty Greenwald.

Belden emphasizes that the congregation provides much-needed community. "People join [other] churches for community, but then have to swallow the intellectual part of the religion. But a lot of the benefits of religion don't require the doctrine. We have a Caring Committee that visits the sick, calls and supports you if you or your kids are in trouble." His congregation has other community activities: dinners, parties, holiday celebrations (Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa—whatever the congregation wants); support groups for men, women, couples, singles, and people of any sexual orientation (Unitarian Universalists and ministers like Linda Anderson are leading the way in acceptance of all sexual orientations and same-sex marriages). Special interest classes explore religious paths like Buddhism or bring deeper daily relevance to the seven principles of Unitarian Universalism; others have an educational, creative, or intellectual bent, like the Kingston congregation's amateur science group. "We have no clash with science and evolution," Belden says, "because it's part of the inspiration, the mystery, and miracle of life."

The Social Action Committee—a Unitarian Universalist mainstay—brings education to members and action based on the seven principles to the greater community. Mike Ignatowski is head of the committee in Kingston. "We bring in guest speakers, such as Steven Cahill, who spoke about the death penalty, and Betsy Sellers, who discussed the World Trade Organization. In November we had a Buy Nothing Day—a free rummage/gift swap—to provide an opportunity for people to go shopping for the holidays without spending a penny." At the Poughkeepsie Fellowship, teens recently made and auctioned gingerbread houses to raise money for Habitat for Humanity (an organization that builds homes for people in need); the congregation donates money to two orphanages; its choir visits senior citizens; it pitches in for the annual Hudson River clean-up; and much more.

These and other Unitarian Universalist congregations graciously welcome visitors. To learn more about these or to find one near you, visit the Unitarian Universalist Association website at www.uua.org.