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.
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. At the time, the Unitarian Service Committee (USC) committed itself to rescuing as many refugees as possible. Their work was dangerous, and they saved the lives of many.
The documents created to help these refugees escape needed an official logo, so Dr. Charles Joy of the Unitarian Service Committee hired a graphic designer, Hans Deutsch, himself a refugee, to create one. The flaming chalice drew upon ancient religious symbols to be an official seal for the USC. The communion chalice, the holy oils used for blessing in many religions, the altars of Greek and Roman times, and lights put in the window as a symbol of hospitality are all evoked by the flaming chalice.
Throughout World War II, this symbol guided refugees to safety on travel documents, business cards, and in the windows of otherwise hidden offices.
After the war, the flaming chalice gained popularity as a symbol of Unitarianism, and then later of Unitarian Universalism. The ritual lighting of the chalice in UU worship became widespread in our congregations in the 1970s.
Our flaming chalice is still a symbol of life-saving welcome. Where it burns, its light beckons us all to live up to our shared principles and participate in the liberation of all people.
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. The following list is of 10 things that are important to know about what Unitarian Universalists believe, and how we try to be in the world.
- Hell Outta Here
We do not believe in hell nor any kind of afterlife eternal punishment. - Big Love
We affirm that every person is worthy and deserving of love. - World Wide Web
We know that we are interconnected with all other forms of life, and care about tending to that web of relationship and connection. - Curiosity Nourishes the Cat
We are a people of questions and curiosity. Curiosity doesn’t kill our cats (or humans), it nourishes and expands their imaginations. - This Queer Pastor Loves You
Many of our faith leaders are openly part of the LGBTQIA community. - Heaven on Earth
We believe and work towards creating a more equitable and just society right here, right now. - Co-Exist
We are a pluralist faith, we affirm all the wisdom traditions of the world and do not believe any one is better than another. - All Souls
You don’t need your soul saved, your soul is already awesome. - Our Holy Trinity: Community, Liberation and Love
We are a community of people trying to figure out what it means to be human and how to center love and liberation. - When Life Gives You Lemons, Turn to Community
We affirm community care and nourishment. The world is a mess and we need each other more than ever, the CLF is the congregation without geographical boundaries. Join us
from anywhere around the world and find community.
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
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. We call these intern ministers “Learning Fellows.” Learning Fellows come from all walks of life, with many backgrounds and experiences. They bring rich teachings and passions to our community. We learn from them as much as we teach them. We are grateful to be a part of their ministerial formation journey.
The following prayer was written by one of our 2023 Learning Fellows, JeKaren Olaoya.
Prayer for Survival
by JeKaren Olaoya
To the God of many names and faces
We pray.
We ask for mercy as we look ahead
Unsure of our path
But clear in our need
To feel safe.
To feel whole.
To feel held.We ask for time as we move
Planning as we go
For things that matter deeply
To find joy.
To find hope.
To find community.We ask for warmth as we are solitary
Connecting through screens
Touching hearts without handsTo stop loneliness.
To stop hurting.
To stop silence.All of these things we ask
From each of us
In our own way
With our own spirits
As we survive.
Amen.
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?
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.”
The Gift of a Sensitized Soul
Donna
CLF member, incarcerated in CA
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.
Beyond the “End”
Richard
CLF member, incarcerated in NY
Do you believe in heaven?
Then there is no end.
Do you believe in hell?
Then there is no end.
Do you believe in spirit?
Then there is no end.
Will man destroy
what God has wrought?
Maybe.
You’d think we’d learn
That we don’t really count
in the grand scheme of things.
The scheme put in place
millions of years ago,
the scheme that will end
millions of years from now.
Our place here and now is but an eye-blink,
but we are here.
We are all part of the scheme.
After all —
We helped create it
and what we do
between beginning and end
is entirely up to us.
