Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship

Last updated
Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship
AbbreviationUUCF
Formation1945 [1]
Type Religious organization [1]
PurposeTo serve Unitarian Universalist Christians [2]
Headquarters Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Location
  • United States
President
Jake Morrill
Website uuchristian.com OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

The Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship (UUCF) is the main group serving Christian Unitarian Universalists within the Unitarian Universalist Association of the United States, whose main office is based in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. [1] The UUCF was founded in Boston, Massachusetts in 1945, [1] and can trace its roots back through the history of North American Christian Universalism and Unitarianism. [1] As its bylaws put it:

Contents

We serve Christian Unitarians and Universalists according to their expressed religious needs; uphold and promote the Christian witness within the Unitarian Universalist Association; and uphold and promote the historic Unitarian and Universalist witness and conscience within the church universal. [3]

They do this work by publishing quarterly (Advent/Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, and Ordinary Time) the Good News Journal, a journal of theology and spirituality for progressive and liberal Christians, and by holding a "Revival" every year, which is an opportunity for its members to gather together. Members also meet regularly at their local Unitarian Universalist congregations in UUCF-affiliated Christian spirituality covenant groups, and by engaging in sharing and discussions on the UUCF Facebook group and page and via e-mail.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Council of Unitarians and Universalists</span> Unitarian and Universalist umbrella organization

The International Council of Unitarians and Universalists (ICUU) was an umbrella organization founded in 1995 comprising many Unitarian, Universalist, and Unitarian Universalist organizations. It was dissolved in 2021 along with the Unitarian Universalist Partner Church Council to make way for a new merged entity. Some groups represented only a few hundred people; while the largest, the Unitarian Universalist Association, had more than 160,000 members as of May 2011—including over 150,000 in the United States.

Universalism is the philosophical and theological concept that some ideas have universal application or applicability.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unitarian Universalist Association</span> Liberal religious Unitarian Universalist congregations, formed in 1961

Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is a liberal religious association of Unitarian Universalist congregations. It was formed in 1961 by the consolidation of the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America, both Protestant Christian denominations with Unitarian and Universalist doctrines, respectively. However, modern Unitarian Universalists see themselves as a separate religion with its own beliefs and affinities. They define themselves as non-creedal, and draw wisdom from various religions and philosophies, including humanism, pantheism, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Judaism, Islam, and Earth-centered spirituality. Thus, the UUA is a syncretistic religious group with liberal leanings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unitarian Universalism</span> Non-creedal liberal religion

Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religious movement characterized by a "free and responsible search for truth and meaning". Unitarian Universalists assert no creed, but instead are unified by their shared search for spiritual growth. Unitarian Universalists do not have an official, unified corpus of sacred texts but rather draw inspiration and guidance from the six sources: personal experience, prophetic utterances, world religions, Jewish and Christian teachings, humanist teachings, and spiritual teachings. Unitarian Universalist congregations include many atheists, agnostics, deists, and theists; there are churches, fellowships, congregations, and societies around the world.

Unitarianism is a Nontrinitarian branch of Christianity. Unitarian Christians affirm the unitary nature of God as the singular and unique creator of the universe, believe that Jesus Christ was inspired by God in his moral teachings and that he is the savior of humankind, but he is not equal to God himself.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Religious humanism</span> Integration of humanist ethical philosophy

Religious humanism or ethical humanism is an integration of nontheistic humanist ethical philosophy with congregational rites and community activity which center on human needs, interests, and abilities. Self-described religious humanists differ from secular humanists mainly in that they regard the nontheistic humanist life stance as a non-supernatural "religion" and organising using a congregational model.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans</span>

The Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans is an independent affiliate of Unitarian Universalists who identify with the precepts of classical or contemporary Paganism: celebrating the sacred circle of life and guiding people to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature. CUUPS members foster the development of "liturgical materials based on earth- and nature-centered religious and spiritual perspectives" as well as encourage "greater use of music, dance, visual arts, poetry, story, and creative ritual in Unitarian Universalist worship and celebration." Many members of CUUPS embrace the cycle of seasons and beauty of all life forms found in nature. Unlike many mainline religious sects, Unitarian Universalists and Pagans both value the "sacredness in the present world rather than on an afterlife." CUUPS is a community open to all Unitarian Universalist members and those who support the tenets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Universalist Church of America</span> Christian denomination

The Universalist Church of America (UCA) was originally a Christian Universalist religious denomination in the United States. Known from 1866 as the Universalist General Convention, the name was changed to the Universalist Church of America in 1942. In 1961, it consolidated with the American Unitarian Association to form the Unitarian Universalist Association.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Young People's Christian Union</span>

The Young People's Christian Union (Y.P.C.U.), organized in 1889, was a Universalist youth group created to develop the spiritual life of young people and advance the work of the Universalist church. Soon after it was founded, the Y.P.C.U. focused its attention on missionary work. It was instrumental in the founding of new southern churches and the creation of a Post Office Mission for the distribution of religious literature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unitarian Christian Association</span>

The Unitarian Christian Association (UCA) is a relatively small, though growing fellowship of Christians who feel an affinity with traditional Unitarianism and Free Christianity. The association is based in the United Kingdom and is an affiliated society of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, and has formal links with the European Liberal Protestant Network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unitarian Universalism and LGBT people</span> Relationship between Unitarian Universalism and LGBT people

Unitarian Universalism, as practiced by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), and the Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC), is a non-Creedal and Liberal theological tradition and an LGBTQ affirming denomination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Religion in Scouting</span>

Religion in Scouting and Guiding is an aspect of the Scout method that has been practiced differently and given different interpretations in different parts of the world over the years.

Christian universalism is a school of Christian theology focused around the doctrine of universal reconciliation – the view that all human beings will ultimately be saved and restored to a right relationship with God. "Christian universalism" and "the belief or hope in the universal reconciliation through Christ" can be understood as synonyms. Opponents of this school, who hold that eternal damnation is the ultimate fate of some or most people, are sometimes called "infernalists."

Unitarianism, as a Christian denominational family of churches, was first defined in Poland-Lithuania and Transylvania in the late 16th century. It was then further developed in England and America until the early 19th century, although theological ancestors are to be found as far back as the early days of Christianity. It matured and reached its classical form in the middle 19th century. Later historical development has been diverse in different countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Souls Unitarian Church</span> Church in Oklahoma, United States

All Souls Unitarian Church is a Unitarian Universalist (UU) church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It is one of the largest UU congregations in the world.

The Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (ERUUF) is a Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregation located in Durham, North Carolina. In 2018, over seven hundred people were members of ERUUF, making it the largest UU congregation in NC and one of the largest in the UUA. It sponsors the UU campus ministry program at Duke University, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship @ Duke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo</span> Historic church in New York, United States

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo is an historic church complex located at 695 Elmwood Avenue, in Buffalo, New York. The building was designed by architect Edward Austin Kent in 1906. Kent died in 1912 aboard the RMS Titanic and a memorial plaque is located in the church honoring him.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beverly Unitarian Church</span> Church in Illinois, United States

Beverly Unitarian Church is a Unitarian Universalist ("UU") church in Chicago, Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First Universalist Church (Atlanta)</span> Church in Georgia, United States

The First Universalist Church of Atlanta, organized in 1895, re-established a Universalist presence in Atlanta, Georgia. Initial missionary efforts in 1879 were short-lived and failed to establish a permanent presence in the city. With the explicit assistance the Young People's Christian Union, this second missionary effort enabled the Universalists to sustain their presence and construct a church building on East Harris in 1900. The Universalists occupied the church until 1918 when they merged with Atlanta's Unitarians.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Our History & Beliefs". Oak Ridge, Tennessee: Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship. 2016. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  2. "Who Are the UU Christians, by Rev. Dr. Thomas D. Wintle". Oak Ridge, Tennessee: Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship. 2016. Archived from the original on 18 October 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  3. "Frequently Asked Questions". Oak Ridge, Tennessee: Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship. 2016. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2022.