Unitarian Universalist

The Heart Knoweth

We have a great deal more kindness

than is ever spoken.

The whole human family

is bathed in an element of love like

a fine ether.

How many persons we meet in houses,

whom we scarcely speak to,

whom yet we honor and who honor us !

How many we see in the street, or sit

with in church, whom though silently, we warmly

rejoice to be with !

Read the language of these wandering

eye beams.

The heart knoweth.

--------Ralph Waldo Emerson, UU

Purposes and Principles of Unitarian Universalism :

We, the members of the Congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, Covenant to 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 ot conscience and the usee democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;

• The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;

• Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

The Living Tradition We Share Draws From Many Sources:

• Direct experience of that trascending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and openness to the forces that create and uphold life;

• Words and deeds of prophetic men and women which challenge us to confront powers and structiures of evilwith justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love ;

• Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;

• Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;

• Humanist teaching which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.

• The Wisdom of the Earth Centered Traditions.