Unitarian Universalist Principles & Values
Our Unitarian Universalist faith is bound by covenant — the sacred promises we make to one another — instead of by creed or dogma. The covenant that connects all of Unitarian Universalism is articulated in Article II of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) bylaws. As of 2023, the language of that covenant is in transition; a new articulation of our shared faith values is under discussion, and may be voted in as the official language of our faith in 2024. We have included both the new language, and our existing Unitarian Universalist principles (which were adopted in 1985) below.
UU Principles
Principles 1–7: adopted by the UUA 1985
Principle 8: adopted by the CLF in 2020
We, the member congregations of the UUA, covenant to affirm and promote:
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The inherent worth and dignity of every person
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Justice, equity and compassion in human relations
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Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations
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A free and responsible search for truth and meaning
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The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large
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The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all
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Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part
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Journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions
UU Values
Language proposed by the Article II Study Commission in 2022; up for a vote to adopt denomination-wide at UUA General Assembly in 2024
Love is the power that holds us together and is at the center of our shared values. We are accountable to one another for doing the work of living our shared values through the spiritual discipline of Love. Inseparable from one another, these shared values are:
Interdependence
We honor the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. With humility and reverence, we covenant to protect Earth and all beings from exploitation, creating and nurturing sustainable relationships of repair, mutuality and justice.
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.
Justice
We work to be diverse multicultural Beloved Communities where all thrive. We covenant to dismantle racism and all forms of systemic oppression. We support the use of inclusive democratic processes to make decisions within our congregation and the society at large.
Transformation
We adapt to the changing world. We covenant to collectively transform and grow spiritually and ethically. Openness to change is fundamental to our Unitarian and Universalist heritages, never complete and never perfect.
Generosity
We cultivate a spirit of gratitude and hope. We covenant to freely and compassionately share our faith, presence, and resources. Our generosity connects us to one another in relationships of interdependence and mutuality.
Equity
We declare that every person has the right to flourish with inherent dignity and worthiness. We covenant to use our time, wisdom, attention, and money to build and sustain fully accessible and inclusive communities.
The History of the CLF
The following graphic traces the history of the Church of the Larger Fellowship from the first Unitarian “Post Office Missions” in the 1800s, through to the present day. To view a larger version of this visual timeline, click on the image below, or on this link.
From Our Members
We love hearing from members and friends of the Church of the Larger Fellowship about what our church community and the wider world of Unitarian Universalism mean to them. The following page includes testimonials from members and friends of the CLF.
“My name is Michael. I have been incarcerated for eleven years. I was raised in the South. Very fire and brimstone stuff. No acceptance. Six years ago I found the CLF’s address and completed your New UU course. It was the first time I questioned what I believed in and why. It changed my life and showed me to love people in a way that I had previously not known was possible.
Your letters and publications are filled with such love and acceptance, it brings joy to my heart. It has allowed me to stop some prejudices that I was brought up in. I try to share true love with everyone around me. You are great examples and inspirations. I know I am only one voice, and it may not seem like much, but this one voice spreads the value of Unitarian Universalism to everyone he meets. I hope this is your goal. I can honestly say that I would not be in the spiritual state I am in without your ministry. From my heart and soul, thank you.”
— Michael, incarcerated CLF member
“I feel more connected to the wider world of Unitarian Universalism through the CLF.
Belonging is an emotional value for me and the CLF fulfills that portion of my spiritual need.”— Ira Lerner, free world CLF member
“Of all my formative experiences, none have shown me a clearer vision of possibility as my internship at the Church of the Larger Fellowship. Covenantal relationship is at the heart of UU faith, and the CLF offers a radical interpretation of that message. Not only are we to be in relationship with the people near us, but we have an ability and obligation that is greater than that, that spans the globe and connects people with similar work and similar aspirations. As an intern at the CLF, I experienced church without a building or primary worship gathering to hold its center, where the essence of religious community was laid bare: A church is not just the gathered body; it is also the spider-webbing networks of relationship and being that hum around the clock, woven into the fabric of our lives.”
— Sarah Prickett, former CLF Learning Fellow
“The CLF is one big, strong, beautiful, spiritual family, full of loving people from all walks of life. It’s a place where you won’t be judged from your race, gender, or sexuality. I humbly respect all members of the CLF, especially those of you that are in staff positions, because it is you all who are holding it all together. Thank you for being strong. Thank you for being loving. Thank you for being here for me in my time of need. Because of you all, I feel blessed every day I wake up. I’ll be a member of the CLF for all of my life.”
— George, incarcerated CLF member
Quest for Seekers – July/August 2023
July/August 2023
As a Unitarian Universalist congregation with no geographical boundary, we create global spiritual community, rooted in profound love, which cultivates wonder, imagination, and the courage to act. —Church of the Larger Fellowship Mission Statement
Articles
Intro to the Special Edition: Quest for Seekers
Welcome! Welcome to Quest, welcome to the Church of the Larger Fellowship, and welcome to Unitarian Universalism. This is a special issue of Quest meant specifically for those who are new to the Church of the Larger Fellowship (CLF) and Unitarian Universalism, and want to learn more about both. Read more »
Unitarian Universalist Principles & Values
Our Unitarian Universalist faith is bound by covenant — the sacred promises we make to one another — instead of by creed or dogma. Read more »
The History of the CLF
The following graphic traces the history of the Church of the Larger Fellowship from the first Unitarian “Post Office Missions” in the 1800s, through to the present day. To view a larger version of this visual timeline, click on the image below, or on this link. Read more »
Our Flaming Chalice: History & Current Use
In the 1940s, as the German army began to impose its totalitarianism across Europe, many people fled in fear of their lives. Read more »
10 things to know about Unitarian Universalism
Despite the theological diversity within Unitarian Universalism, there are many things that we agree on and hold sacred within our communities. Read more »
Our Theological Mandate for Liberation
Christina delivered the following sermon during a worship service titled “Liberation, Incarceration, and Our Faith,” at General Assembly 2023. Read more »
From Our Members
We love hearing from members and friends of the Church of the Larger Fellowship about what our church community and the wider world of Unitarian Universalism mean to them. Read more »
The CLF: A Teaching Congregation
The Church of the Larger Fellowship is a teaching congregation. Each year, we welcome intern ministers to our staff and community, they serve our church for a two-year fellowship. Read more »
Quest June 2023
June 2023
Look on every exit as being an entrance somewhere else. —Tom Stoppard
Articles
Navigating Transition
The months of May and June often bring transitions related to academic promotions, graduations, and other milestones related to the culmination of years of dedication and hard work. Read more »
Transition
How do you relate to transition? What role has transition played in your life? Read more »
Rethinking the Transition Out of Prison
“Transition” has become a byword in the corrections field over recent years. It has come to encompass classes bearing such fanciful titles as “Thinking For A Change,” “Crossroads,” “Men In Transition” and “Ethical Choices.” Read more »
The Gift of a Sensitized Soul
My experience has taught me that many adults who seek a new spiritual connection have, like myself, been particularly sensitized to the suffering of the world. Maybe some people have been taught to be sensitive in this way. Read more »
Beyond the “End”
Do you believe in heaven? Then there is no end. Do you believe in hell? Then there is no end. Read more »
Transition
How do you relate to transition? What role has transition played in your life?
Wonder
How do you access a sense of wonder? What does wonder feel like? Read more →
Article II Reflections
In a recent Quest article titled “Embracing the Living Tradition,” Rev. Dr. Michael Tino shared more about the work of the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Article II Study Commission, and the changes they are proposing to our Association’s Bylaws. Read more →
Gratitude
Prison life has beaten the hell out of me. It has helped me to learn not to be hardheaded, when God is trying to teach me something. For these lessons, I thank God. Read more →
Quest May 2023
May 2023
Wonder is the beginning of wisdom. —Socrates
Articles
What A Wonder-Full World
Often, when people find out that I was a scientist before becoming a minister, they make assumptions about how my brain works, or about how I must see the world. Read more »
Article II Reflections
In a recent Quest article titled “Embracing the Living Tradition,” Rev. Dr. Michael Tino shared more about the work of the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Article II Study Commission, and the changes they are proposing to our Association’s Bylaws. Read more »
Gratitude
Prison life has beaten the hell out of me. It has helped me to learn not to be hardheaded, when God is trying to teach me something. For these lessons, I thank God. Read more »
