What We Believe
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Wyoming Valley
Our Beliefs
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation is a liberal, noncreedal religious community, open to all. We meet together in affirmation of individual freedom of religious belief.
In mutual trust and support, honoring the diversity of our personal convictions and spiritual lives, we dedicate ourselves in word and deed to:
- encourage the free and responsible search for truth and meaning.
- inspring the ethical practice of our accepted UU Principles, and
- promoting lifelong religious education by fostering the growth of individual conscience and spirituality.
Individual Life Stances, Beliefs, and Backgrounds
The individual beliefs and backgrounds of our friends and members are incredibly diverse. Our congregation includes (in alphabetical order) agnostics, Buddhists, Christians, Humanists, Jews, non-theists, Pagans, people who self-identify simply as spiritual, as well as lifelong UUs and probably others. (Nobody is required to share her or his beliefs with other members.) Our members are straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender. We have members and friends whose families have lived in America for centuries as well as first-generation immigrants.
This diversity is reflected in our sermons. Since the congregation was founded, over 800 sermons were given at UUCWV. Here are just a few (which are by no means representative):
- Pastoral Care: Our Commitment to One Another (by Jill Wetzel, Director of Religious Education, given on Aug 9, 2009)
- Laughing and Spiritual Health (by Rev. Barry Stopfel, Minister of the UU Congregation of the Susquehanna Valley, given on Oct 19, 2008)
- Three Things All UUs Believe (by S. Murphy, founding member, given on Sep 28, 2008)
- Sweet Surrender (by Jill Wetzel, Director of Religious Education, given on Jul 20, 2008)
- Multiculturalism in our Congregations (by Jill Wetzel, Director of Religious Education, given on Jul 1, 2007)
Next: Why We Are Unitarian Universalists
