Unitarian Universalist Church - Urbana, Illinois

Our Purpose
The purpose of our church is to provide a caring community in which individuals are encouraged and supported in their religious, spiritual and personal development. This process of religious growth has as its path and goal the creation of a more just and peaceful world.

We, the member 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 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 which we 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 that
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 inspire 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.
(Adopted by the 1984, 1985, and 1996
General Assemblies)

Congregational Covenant
Adopted Sunday, October 2, 2005 at by Congregational Meeting

We, the members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Urbana-Champaign, strive to sustain a caring community that promotes the personal and spiritual well-being of our members and of the larger world in which we live. To this end,

We promise to participate actively in the life of our church, to contribute as we are able, and to express appreciation for others’ contributions.

We promise to join in shaping congregational life through processes that are open, inclusive, and transparent, and to support the decisions made by our chosen leaders and by the congregation.

We promise to celebrate the diversity of our collective experiences and backgrounds including race, class, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical ability and economic means even as we strive to understand those differences.

We promise to express our differences openly and respectfully, speaking directly with those involved, listening closely, offering real solutions in ways that are constructive and not judgmental, and accepting conflict as an inevitable aspect of healthy relationships.

We promise to provide an atmosphere for the minister to challenge us to think critically and creatively about all issues, thus carrying forward our congregations’ commitment to a free pulpit.

We promise to respect our children, to encourage their development as whole people, and to teach them the values of our religion and other religions.

We promise to welcome those who are new to our church and faith by learning about their journeys, by providing opportunities to learn more about us, and by explaining how they can become more involved in the church.

We promise to support each other through life’s ups and downs by creating a loving community in which people feel safe to share, and by responding to the needs of the members of our congregation.

We promise to encourage one another in our efforts to promote social justice and responsible stewardship in the larger community and the world.