--| MY UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST COMMONPLACE BOOK |--

"For Unitarian Universalists, the question is never "What do you believe?" but rather 'What kind of person have you become? What are the fruits of your living?'"
- Marilyn Sewell
(from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marilyn-sewell/unitarian-universalist-theology_b_870528.html)


Sermon by Rev. Barbara Gilday, “Introduction to Unitarian Universalism,” Sept. 25, 2011
https://orcasuu.wordpress.com/archive/sermon-by-rev-barbara-gilday-introduction-to-unitarian-universalism-sept-25-2011/


-- | UU: what is it? |--
* The term Unitarian affirms the unity of all life.
* The term Universalism indicates universality of religion itself.
(from http://icuu.net/membergroups/memberpages/united%20states.html)


---| Rev. David O. Rankin's, "What we believe" |--
* We believe in the freedom of religious expression. All individuals should be encouraged to develop their own personal theology, and to present openly their
religious opinions without fear of censure or reprisal.
* We believe in the toleration of religious ideas. All religions, in every age and culture, possess not only an intrinsic merit, but also a potential value for
those who have learned the art of listening.
* We believe in the authority of reason and conscience. The ultimate arbiter in religion is not a church, or a document, or an official, but the personal choice
and decision of the individual.
* We believe in the never-ending search for Truth. If the mind and heart are truly free and open, the revelations which appear to the human spirit are infinitely
numerous, eternally fruitful, and wondrously exciting.
* We believe in the unity of experience. There is no fundamental conflict between faith and knowledge, religion and the world, the sacred and the secular, since
they all have their source in the same reality.
* We believe in the worth and dignity of each human being. All people on earth have an equal claim to life, liberty, and justice -- and no idea, ideal, or
philosophy is superior to a single human life.
* We believe in the ethical application of religion. Good works are the natural product of a good faith, the evidence of an inner grace that finds completion in
social and community involvement.
* We believe in the motive force of love. The governing principle in human relationships is the principle of love, which always seeks the welfare of others and
never seeks to hurt or destroy.
* We believe in the necessity of the democratic process. Records are open to scrutiny, elections are open to members, and ideas are open to criticism -- so that
people might govern themselves.
* We believe in the importance of a religious community. The validation of experience requires the confirmation of peers, who provide a critical platform along
with a network of mutual support.



---| UU: The religion |---
* many scriptures, not one
* here and now, not the hereafter
* freedom, reason, tolerance, love as overarching values
* deeds not creeds, show your work, live your faith
* evolutionary theology, language changes
* we are saved by Love, made holy by character
* no original sin, God is Love
* unity of experience: faith & knowledge, sacred & secular
* non-creedal, authority of conscience
* need for religious community
* congregational polity, democratic methods
* a spark of "divinity" or the "highest good" in every person
* a destination: an earth made fair, all her people one, we co-create the world



--------------------------------------
~ Seven principles guide our choices,
~ Six sources nourish our spirits,
~ Five aspirations help us grow.

---| PRINCIPLES |---

1 Each person is important.
2 Be kind to all you meet.
3 We're free to learn together.
4 We search for what is true.
5 All people need a voice
6 Build a fair and peaceful world.
7 We care for the earth.

--- | SOURCES OF FAITH |---
1 awesome experiences of mystery, beauty, and belonging that all people feel.
2 words and actions of wise and brave people that make us want to change things that are unjust or cruel, and to offer kindness and love instead.
3 ideas from lots of different religions that help us figure out what is good and true and fair.
4 Jewish and Christian teachings that encourage us to treat others the way we would like to be treated.
5 use of science, common sense, and our own brains to think things out.
6 teachings of people who celebrate nature and remind us to live in harmony with nature.
(from http://www.uuofscv.org/about-uu/uu-for-kids)

---| ASPIRATIONS |---
1. deeply connected: We strive to foster healthy relationships amongst and within UU communities, with the broader world and with all life.
2. boldly inclusive: We strive to create hospitable, diverse, multigenerational communities.
3. actively engaged: We strive to work joyfully for a just and compassionate society, experimenting with new forms of community.
4. theologically alive: We seek to be ever-evolving in our understanding, open to new knowledge.
5. spiritually grounded: We seek transformation through personal spiritual experiences and shared ritual.
(from the Canadian Unitarian Council)


--- | THE FLAMING CHALICE |---
A flame within a chalice (a cup with a stem and foot) is a primary symbol of the Unitarian Universalist faith tradition. Many of our congregations kindle a
flaming chalice in gatherings and worships and feature the chalice symbol prominently.

Hans Deutsch, an Austrian artist, first brought together the chalice and the flame as a Unitarian symbol during his work with the Unitarian Service Committee
during World War II. To Deutsch, the image had connotations of sacrifice and love. Unitarian Universalists today have many different interpretations of the
flaming chalice, including the light of reason, the warmth of community, and the flame of hope.

Our current official UUA logo debuted in 2014, offering a visual representation of a modern and dynamic faith. Unitarian Universalist congregations are free to
use the UUA's logo in their congregational work, but they are not required to do so. Because of this, you may see many different styles of flaming chalices and
other images used by Unitarian Universalist congregations.

--- | EVERYDAY SPIRITUAL PRACTICE |---

Balance / Susan Manker-Seale -- "We can practice spirituality in our daily lives, in our daily activities, by remembering to pause, pay attention, and feel
appreciation for what is before us... using all of our senses... remember the feeling of oneness with creation..."

Listening to our lives / Kathleen McTigue -- "On some days mere survival - without murdering spouse, children, or pets - seems downright miraculous."

Middle way / Michael A. Schuler -- An attitude of, "I refuse to agonize over my diet.".

Eclectic spirituality / Barbara Wells -- "Without a set discipline to follow, it [spiritual practice] requires a willingness to explore many options and find what
will work best."

Spiritual maintenance schedule / Arvid Straube -- "It means getting in touch more often with the deep currents and purposes of our lives."

Silent retreats / Andrew C. Kennedy --
Creating an altar / Johanna Nichols --
Adversity / Barbara Merritt --
Sacred moment / Edwin C. Lynn --

Living by heart / Laurel Hallman -- "Living by heart, then, is forming the habit of living with wisdom words over time and letting them focus our minds and change
our hearts."

Mindfulness / James Austin --
Sitting Zen / James Ishmael Ford --
Monastic practice / Wayne B. Arnason --

Sacred reading / Susan J. Ritchie -- "This is to return to a medieval practice of reading, where reading was done not with the eyes, but with the lips... a form
of ruminatio, or rumination  - a richly expressive word whose primary meaning is to chew the cud."

Prayer / Erik Walker Wikstrom --

Movement / Robert T. Hughes -- "All of us have become dis-integrated and experienced the mind-body split. If re-integration is our goal, then the methods involved
should include something physical as well as mental. To the extent that there is re-integration, there is healing, and he furthering of one's spiritual journey."

Martial arts / Sarah Lammert --
Yoga / Eva S. Hochgraf --
Exercise / Scott W. Alexander --
Fasting / Marta Morris Flanagan --

Mealtime / Aaron R. Payson -- "Reclaiming mealtime is a spiritual discipline when we remember the depth of our own connections to others, to the earth and the
elements that help us grow, and to the divine spark within each of us that ignites around good company and is a flame through the presence of live that is also
the substance or grace."

Everyday relationships / Jane Ellen Mauldin -- "The wiping, listening, cleaning, hugging, holding, forgiving, helping with homework, and driving to Little League
are all activities within which we can find connection and renewal, if done with awareness, appreciation, detachment, and commitment."

Partnership as spiritual practice / Brian J. Kiely --
Marriage / M. Maureen Killoran --
Parenting / Pat Westwater-Jong --
Loss and grief / Jennie Knoop --
Spiritual practice for our time / Rebecca Parker --
Social justice / Art McDonald, Deborah Holder, and Stephen H. Furrer --
Anti-racism / Dorothy May Emerson --
Simple living / Ken Brown --
Recycling / Audrey W. Vincent --
Vegetarianism / Helena P. Chapin --

Giving / Tony Larsen -- "If we understand that everyone is brother and sister to us, then we will always want to pour some of our grain into the granary of the
world. And  when we do - and where we do - that is a holy place."

Quilting / Laurie Bushbaum --
Meditation by hand / L. Annie Foerster --
Gardening / Barbara Davenport --
Cooking / Lynn M. Brodie --

Art / Julie-Ann Silberman -- "Don't try initially to create respresentation art; rather, try to use color to express your feelings... the most important things
are to find yourself and to let it out."

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