Each Unitarian Universalist congregation is the fulfillment of a heritage
that goes back hundreds of years, to courageous people who struggled for freedom in thought and faith. The Unitarian Universalist
Association's web site has a variety of topics that detail UU history and beliefs. See:
A Brief History in Central Oregon
In Central Oregon in 1958, a small group began to explore the liberal
religious experience of the Unitarian philosophy. For the first few years the group met in members’ homes. In 1962,
the Unitarian Association merged with the Universalist Church and our group adopted the Unitarian Universalist name.
Over the years, the Fellowship has grown (to a high of 140 members)
and shrunk (to a low of 5) and has met in a variety of locations. Central Oregon is growing quickly, and we are now in a growth
and outreach phase in which we plan to offer many exciting and new opportunities for spiritual growth, social action, intelligent
discussion, and community-building.
Our Fellowship now serves over 100 members and friends, and rents space at the Spiritual Awareness Community Sanctuary.
Our Logo
Our logo, shown in the upper-lefthand corner of this web site, combines
a flaming chalice with the mountains of Central Oregon. The flaming chalice is a symbol of Unitarian Universalism that unites
our members in worship; we begin each service with the lighting of the chalice and end by extinguishing it. For more
information on the flaming chalice, its history, and its symbolism, click here.
UU Principles
UU Congregations and their members strive 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 of conscience and the use of the 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
The living tradition which Unitarian-Universalists share draws from
many sources:
- Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all
cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;
- Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront
powers and structures of evil with 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 teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the
results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.
- Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred
circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
