All About Us

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Clinton is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Associations of Congregations. Unitarian Universalism emerged from two different religions: Unitarianism and Universalism. Both Unitarianism and Universalism started in Europe hundreds of years ago. The Universalist Church of America was founded by 1793, and the American Unitarian Association by 1825. In 1961, these denominations consolidated to form the new religion of Unitarian Universalism. The Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations is headquartered at 25 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108 Call (617) 742-2100 or email info@ uua.org

Visit the UUA website for more information.

However, the Clinton UUF is an independent congregation and thus has a wide latitude in which to work to meet the needs of its members here in Clinton, Iowa. Each of the 1,041 congregations in the United States, Canada, and overseas are democratic in polity and operation; they govern themselves. They unite in the Association to provide services that individual congregations cannot provide for themselves. Each congregation is associated with one of the UUA’s 20 districts.

The Clinton Universalist Fellowship of Clinton is a member of the Prairie Star District which includes Iowa, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas, as well as the western parts of Missouri and Wisconsin. Regional conferences, workshops, opportunities for social action and more are available within the district. Visit the Prairie Star District website to take a look at the many opportunities for spiritual and real-world involvement.

For our very local history here in Eastern Iowa, please visit the link Our History, here at this website.

There are Seven Principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote:

1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
2. Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

Unitarian Universalism (UU) 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 which 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 inspires 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.

These principles and sources of faith are the backbone of our religious community.

What are UUs?

• ARE NOT believers in a dogma or creed. (belief in Jesus = salvation; must obey the 5 pillars of Islam, etc.)
• ARE NOT locked into forever-unchanging beliefs
• ARE NOT answerable to a higher UUA authority
• ARE NOT a group of people who 'don't believe in anything.'
• ARE a religion of seekers
• ARE guided by Seven Principles
• ARE persons with varied, complex sets of spiritual and/or religious beliefs

Want more information? Stop by the Clinton UUF on Sunday mornings to meet us, or there are many pamphlets and brochures about Unitarian Universalism inside the front door of the church, by the office. These are all free for the taking. We applaud your curiosity and wish you well on your spiritual journey!