The Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism continue to be plumbed for meaning, depth and inspiration. This elegant volume presents fresh perspectives from seven ministers who joined the ministry after the Principles took their current form. Here are essays, prayers, chalice lightings, litanies, meditations and worship readings on each Principle-helping us reflect on their significance and the ways they call us to ethical action and deeper spirituality.
Introduction
First Principle
The Inherent Worth and Dignity of Every Person,
Sarah Lammert
Prayers and Readings
Second Principle
Justice, Equity, and Compassion in Human Relations,
Emily Gage
Prayers and Readings
Third Principle
Acceptance of One Another and Encouragement to
Spiritual Growth in Our Congregations, Robert Hardies
Prayers and Readings
Fourth Principle
A Free and Responsible Search for Truth and Meaning,
Paige Getty
Prayers and Readings
Fifth Principle
The Right of Conscience and the Use of the Democratic
Process Within Our Congregations and in Society
at Large, Parisa Parsa
Prayers and Readings
Sixth Principle
The Goal of World Community With Peace, Liberty, and
Justice for All, Sean Parker Dennison
Prayers and Readings
Seventh Principle
Respect for the Interdependent Web of All Existence of
Which We Are a Part, Forrest Gilmore
Prayers and Readings
Contributors
Resources
From "A Free and Responsible Search for Truth and Meaning":
When I became a Unitarian Universalist at the age of twenty-four, my grandmother asked me why I did it. I told her that the UU church offered me the explicit freedom to believe as I choose. In response, this woman who had attended the First Christian Church every Sunday for most of her life said wisely, "People do that, anyway, dear."
People may do it anyway, I thought, but I certainly wasn't encouraged by my prior church to think and act so freely. And so I was genuinely and positively overwhelmed by the freedom of belief in my new church. Like many others, I proclaimed, "Finally, I have found a place where I can believe whatever I want!". The words are the quintessential Unitarian Universalist newcomer's claim and a great frustration for the religious professional. "I can believe whatever I want" is almost as helpful a description of our faith as "Unitarian Universalism is the religion that believes in nothing."
Praise for Seven Principles in Word and Worship:
"Turning words like "truth," "dignity," "democratic process" and "equity" into the life and breath of reflection and worship is a daunting assignment. Ellen Brandenburg has assembled a diverse group of young Unitarian Universalist ministers to tackle exactly that. They do our Principles proud."
—Jane Rzepka, Senior Minister, Church of the Larger Fellowship
