Why become unitarian universalist

Thirdly, a Unitarian believes in unity, as the name of the movement implies. Beyond all divisions within the universe, within humanity and within the individual personality, there is an underlying unity.

The life of each one of us needs to function as a harmonious whole. In particular, religion cannot be segregated into some detached compartment of life. A Unitarian is not fearful that scientific discovery will undermine religion, nor that new ideas will destroy anything of value that has been inherited from the past. Fourthly, a Unitarian is a person whose commitment expresses itself in action.

Much as Unitarians like to talk, their religion is at root a way of life rather than a web of words. This means that a Unitarian will work to strengthen those influences that make for human solidarity and against those tending toward bigotry and exclusiveness, whether national, racial or religious. People whose ideas of religion have been shaped by conventional influences may find it hard to understand how a religious movement can be built upon such principles, rather than upon shared creeds and doctrines.

The questions such people ask are often too small. Life is seldom quite that simple. It does not reduce itself to neat clear-cut categories. A Unitarian may profess allegiance to Christianity or to any other of the great religious traditions of the world, but not in any exclusive sense.

At least one payment must be made by December 31 or membership privileges lapse. Voting membership can be re-instated with a pledge and payment, but requires 60 days following receipt of that payment for reinstatement to occur. Membership in a Unitarian Universalist congregation is as much a becoming as an arrival. Ours is a religion which allows for lifelong spiritual growth, for unending receptiveness to new insights and perceptions, for a realization that scientific knowledge need not be at odds with religion, and for affirmation of both the open mind and the caring heart.

Ours is a religious community which honors diversity, amid values in common. People of all backgrounds and faiths are welcome.

Students might also want to take a reading course together for further study into UU Theology or other areas of interest. All areas of professional competence can be fulfilled through courses and workshops offered at Yale Divinity School. Either a one year full time internship or two year part-time internship is required. Click Here For More Info. UU student group can be a place for reviewing denominational requirements, and invited Director of Ministerial Credentialing Office to visit on a regular basis.

Skip to main content. Church History : Candidates are expected to be familiar with the major events, themes, controversies and theological issues in the history of the Christian Church, with particular attention to the development of Unitarianism and Universalism.

Hebrew and Christian Scriptures : All Candidates are required to have the equivalent of one graduate level course in critical analysis of the Hebrew Scriptures, and one graduate level course in critical analysis of Christian Scriptures.

An additional course in each area is strongly recommended. In addition, candidates should be familiar with issues, programs and resources for ministry with youth and young adults.

Areas of Unitarian Universalist Competence Unitarian Universalist History and Polity : Candidates should be able to demonstrate graduate level knowledge of issues, themes, theological motifs, sources and literature of Unitarian and Universalist history, and be able to describe and critique institutional history, present organization and issues, with an emphasis on building an anti-racist, multi-cultural movement.

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