UUA

UUA
Name	Unitarian Universalist Association
Main classification	Liberal religion
Orientation	Unitarianism, Universalism
Polity	Congregational polity
Founded date	May 1961
Founded place	Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Headquarters	24 Farnsworth Street, Boston, Massachusetts
Congregations	~1,000
Members	~152,000 (adult)
Ministers	~1,700
Website	uua.org

UUA. The Unitarian Universalist Association is a liberal religious organization formed in 1961 through the consolidation of the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, it serves as a central support and coordinating body for over one thousand congregationally governed member congregations across the United States, Canada, and beyond. The association is defined not by a shared creed but by a covenantal commitment to its Seven Principles, drawing from diverse sources including world religions, humanism, and prophetic women and men.

History

The UUA's roots lie in two distinct Protestant Christian heresies: Unitarianism, which rejected the doctrine of the Trinity and was influential in Transylvania and New England, and Universalism, which proclaimed a universal salvation for all souls. Key early figures include Michael Servetus, Francis David, and John Murray. In North America, these movements flourished, with William Ellery Channing delivering the seminal Baltimore Sermon in 1819 and Universalism finding champions like Hosea Ballou. After decades of parallel development and collaboration on social issues, the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America voted to merge at a joint meeting in Boston in 1961, creating the modern UUA. Subsequent history has been marked by significant internal evolution, including the incorporation of secular humanism and Earth-centered traditions, and leadership by figures such as Dana McLean Greeley and William F. Schulz.

Beliefs and practices

Unitarian Universalism is a non-creedal, pluralistic faith where individual congregations and members formulate their own beliefs. The central theological framework is the Seven Principles, which affirm the inherent worth of every person, justice, acceptance, and respect for the interdependent web of existence. These principles are informed by six named sources, including world religions, Jewish and Christian teachings, humanist teachings, and spiritual teachings. Worship services, which vary widely, may incorporate elements from Buddhism, Christianity, Paganism, and other traditions, and often feature sermons, music, and periods of meditation. Rites of passage, such as child dedications, weddings, and memorial services, are commonly observed, with ceremonies like flower communion and water communion marking the congregational year.

Organization and governance

The UUA employs a representative congregational polity, meaning ultimate authority rests with its member congregations. The primary governing body is the annual General Assembly, where delegates from congregations vote on bylaws, statements of conscience, and elect leadership. Day-to-day administration is led by a President and a Board of Trustees, with headquarters at 24 Farnsworth Street in Boston. The association is divided into regional districts and supports a professional ministry; clergy complete training at schools like Meadville Lombard Theological School and Harvard Divinity School and undergo fellowshipping by the UUA Ministerial Fellowship Committee. Affiliated organizations include the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office.

Social justice and advocacy

Social justice work is a cornerstone of Unitarian Universalist identity, understood as a direct expression of its principles. Historically, Unitarians and Universalists were active in abolitionism, with figures like Theodore Parker and Susan B. Anthony. In the 20th and 21st centuries, the UUA has been a prominent voice in the Civil Rights Movement, LGBTQ rights, feminism, and immigrant rights. The association and its congregations often engage in direct action, advocacy, and public witness, frequently in coalition with groups like the American Civil Liberties Union and Black Lives Matter. Environmental justice, articulated through concepts like the Seventh Principle and the Green Sanctuary program, is also a major focus.

Relationship with other faiths

The UUA maintains intentionally open and collaborative relationships with many religious traditions and interfaith bodies. It is a long-standing member of the International Association for Religious Freedom and has formal dialogues with groups like the United Church of Christ. Many congregations host local interfaith alliances and participate in events with Buddhist, Jewish, and Muslim communities. Theologically, Unitarian Universalism's inclusive sourcing places it in conversation with religious pluralism and interfaith dialogue movements worldwide. However, its liberal theological stance and social positions have sometimes created tension with more conservative branches of Christianity, including some Evangelical denominations.

Demographics and membership

As of recent surveys, the UUA comprises approximately 1,000 member congregations, with around 152,000 adult members and a larger community including children. Membership is concentrated in the United States, particularly in regions like New England, the Pacific Northwest, and the Great Lakes, with a smaller presence in Canada through the Canadian Unitarian Council. Demographically, the membership is predominantly white, well-educated, and politically liberal, a composition the association has actively sought to diversify through initiatives like the Journey Toward Wholeness. Membership trends have seen gradual decline in recent decades, mirroring broader patterns in mainline Protestant denominations, though engagement levels among remaining members are typically high.

Category:Unitarian Universalism Category:Religious organizations established in 1961 Category:Organizations based in Boston