Who are UUs?

Who are UUs?
​Unitarian Universalists are people of various spiritual beliefs, people of all ages, people from many places and backgrounds, and people who are open to the journey of personal and spiritual growth. We are a varied and diverse group, united not by a shared creed or dogma, but rather by a shared affirmation of seven Principles that draw from many sources in the world's religions, spiritual practices, and philosophy. Read our Principles and Sources. 

Unitarian Universalism has a rich and storied history, an active and vibrant present, and we work towards a more just and peaceful future. 

What do Unitarian Universalists Believe?"
"Unitarian Universalism is a way of being religious rather than embracing a specific religious doctrine. For us, religion is an ongoing search for meaning, purpose, value, and spiritual depth in one's life. We believe that individuals are entitled to make their own search, and that not all persons are going to share the same beliefs. We believe there is wisdom and value in most all religions, but that no one religion has all the answers. We believe in an inner harmony that will lead to ethical action." From, "What Do UUs Believe?", Unitarian Universalist Association.

"To become a Unitarian Universalist, you make no doctrinal promises, but you are required to do much more. You are required to choose your own beliefs — you promise, that is, to use your reason and your experience and the dictates of your conscience to decide upon your own theology, and then you are asked to actually live by that theology. You are asked to take your chosen faith very seriously." From, "The Theology of Unitarian Universalists" by Rev. Dr. Marilyn Sewell. 

"We are an experiential faith. We are focused more on experience (our own and that of trusted others, past and present) than beliefs. We do not hold with beliefs that contradict our experience, although we recognize that there are realities that can draw us beyond the present limits of our knowledge." From "Our Shared Faith", UU World Magazine. 
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You might be a UU and not know it. 

You might be a Unitarian Universalist if…

• You believe in God, the Goddess, the power of the universe, a pantheon of gods, the goodness of humans, or nature.
• You don’t know what you believe in, or you’re sure there is nothing at all beyond what can be known via science.
• You once believed in a God, Goddess, nature, the universe, or nothing at all, but now you’re not so sure.
• You ponder exactly what you do believe in or perhaps leave the door open, even if you’ve found an answer that works for you.
• You were raised Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Pagan, Buddhist, Hindu, Humanist, or nothing at all.
• Your table in December contains a chalice, an advent wreath, a candle from a solstice celebration, and a menorah.  All lit.
• Your idea of a la carte is picking and choosing the parts of the religions of the world that work for you.
• You are always open to revise what is true and meaningful from those religions.
• You support the rights of gay, lesbians, bisexual, and transgender people, and you really don’t understand what all the fuss is about regarding gay marriage.
• You pause when hearing the words, “Let us pray,” first considering to whom (if anyone) you would pray to then pondering what power prayer has. 
• You pause even longer when folks ask you what’s up with that Unitarian Universalism, knowing its a long answer that will lead to many more question.
• You believe in the dignity and worth of every person, even when your disagree with them. 
• You respect the spiritual search of others, even when it leads them down paths that mystify and even anger you. 
• You wonder why we’re here, where we’ve been, and where we’ll be next.  And wonder, and wonder, and wonder.
• You’d like to be with other people who share a questioning look at the world and who care for humanity and the planet.

Want to find out more?  Explore the Unitarian Universalist principles,  or visit a congregation, listen to sermons.  Ask questions, read, and then ask some more questions.  After all, you might just be a Unitarian Universalist and not even know it. - Excerpted from "You Might Be a Unitarian Universalist" 

​10 Things We Want Everyone to Share About Unitarian Universalism
​Editor's note: This article is a great way to learn what our UU religion is all about. 
By Thomas on August 5, 2015 in Evangelical UU
We are a religion! This is very important. While some people make a spiritual practice out of one or more forms of activism and  charity, and this is something we encourage, that activism is a personal expression. We are not a political action group, a charity organization, a sexual education resource, or a social club, though we gladly inspire our members to be those things for one another. Unitarian Universalism is a religion. Our relevance and power come from being a community that seeks the truth of religious questions and supports one another as a religious community. Our religion is one that calls for action in the world, but our goal is no less than Heaven, even if we expect it to be here on Earth for all to share. ​Read more.

Delve into the UU faith at First UU Church

Building Sacred Ground
​If you want to dive deeper into UU past and present while exploring your own spiritual journey in a small group, you may want to consider attending 'Building Sacred Ground'. Facilitated by ministers, staff and lay leaders, Building Sacred Ground is an experiential four-session program to help people explore Unitarian Universalism, share personal foundations of faith, and get to know a small group of people very well. The series ends with a private tea with ministers where you have a chance to visit, socialize and dialogue. This series is appropriate for newcomers and longtime UUs. By attending these sessions, you will become more deeply involved in church life and have a better understanding of your place in our faith movement. To find out about upcoming sessions, contact our Connections Coordinator. 

Visit our Library
Our Hillcrest campus has a free lending Library filled with excellent selections regarding all world religions and especially Unitarian Universalism. For Library hours and access, contact our Connections Coordinator. 

Learn More

UU websites of interest
San Diego Unitarian Universalist Network (SUUN): We believe in social justice, spiritual growth and you. For more information about SUUN's activities in coordinating and strengthening San Diego's Unitarian Universalist congregations go to uusandiego.org.

Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA): Representing the interests of more than one thousand Unitarian Universalist congregations, on a continental scale. The UUA grew out of the consolidation, in 1961, of two religious denominations: the Universalists, organized in 1793, and the Unitarians, organized in 1825. For a comprehensive view of the UUA and their works, vist uua.org.

UU World Magazine: UU World, the magazine of the Unitarian Universalist Association, celebrates liberal religion and the people it inspires. Meet extraordinary individuals, see how Unitarian Universalist communities put their values into action, and explore the ideas and traditions that ground them. Read stories online at uuworld.org.
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UU TV
For a rotating collection of UU related videos visit UU TV.

Other San Diego UU congregations
Chalice Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Palomar Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of San Dieguito
Summit Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
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Recommended Readings
Whether you're new to Unitarian Universalism or a lifelong UU looking to deepen your faith, we have some great recommendations. 

Henry David Thoreau - 100 Questions That Non-Members Ask About Unitarian Universalism free download
Henry David Thoreau - Walden free download
Ralph Waldo Emerson - Essays Vol free download
Ralph Waldo Emerson - Essays Vol 2 free download
Ralph Waldo Emerson - Nature, Addresses, and Lectures free download
Walt Whitman - Leaves of Grass free download
Walt- Whitman - Democratic Vistas and other papers free download
Grace Ellery Channing - Dr. Channing's NoteBook: Unpublished Passages ​free download
Grace Ellery Channing - Memoir free download
The Works of William Ellery Channing free download

Who to contact

Jenner Daelyn
Connections Coordinator and Scheduler
(619) 398-4443
jenner@firstuusandiego.org. 

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