Backyard to the Universe
Small Group Ministries
Sources and Affirmations: THE CHALICE OF OUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
Materials: copy or copies of Singing the Living Tradition and Singing the Journey.
Opening Words/Lighting the candle/chalice
The Living Tradition we share 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 the 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 (Added at General Assembly, 1995).
Check-In: How are things going for you today?
Topic/Activity
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) formed in 1961 from the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America. The Principles and Purposes are in the Bylaws of the UUA (Article II). The process for developing and changing them includes intense discussion in local congregations and at General Assembly over several years.
There are two components of the Principles: the affirmations and the living tradition sources. The affirmations, frequently call ‘The Principles,” form the common bond among us as guidelines for living, rather than a theological statement.
The sources in the opening words provide the diversity of our religious tradition. While both Unitarian and Universalists have roots in Jewish and Christian heritage, Unitarian Universalism draws on the world's religions.
What sources/resources do you draw on for your spiritual journey?
When you find yourself in a difficult situation, where do you turn for guidance? (readings, sayings or memories, people)?
What resources would you like to have available to your children? How do we help children develop their own resources?
What are the hymns or readings from Singing the Living Tradition or Singing the Journey that are important to you. Notice the diversity of sources represented in the selections.
Imagine the Unitarian Universalist symbol, the flaming chalice. Think of the bowl of the chalice as holding the sources, or that the sources are the fuel. The affirmations come out of the sources and are the visible part of our faith community, or the flame.
inherent worth
and dignity of every person;
Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
Acceptance of one another and encouragement
to spiritual growth in our congregations:
A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
The rights of conscience and the democratic process
within our congregations and in society at large;
The goal of world community with peace,
liberty and justice for all;
Respect for the interdependent
web of all existence of which
we are a part.
PRINCIPLES: AFFIRMATIONS ARISING FROM OUR LIVING TRADITIONS SOURCES.
Direct experience of transcending mystery and wonder , which moves us to renewal of the spirit and openness to forces which create/ uphold life;
Words and deeds of the prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil;
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 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
The affirmations are presented here as they appear in the Unitarian Universalist Association Bylaws, followed by a children's version from The Unitarian Universalist Alphabet (Zidowecki, 1999, adapted 2/25/02). There are various editions for children, but none are “official.”
Suggestion: alternate reading the parts. Read the first and last statement in unison.
Unison: We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote:
| The inherent worth and dignity of every person; | Everyone is important; | |||||||||||||||
| Justice, equity and compassion in human relations; | We are fair and kind to others; | |||||||||||||||
| Acceptance of one another and encouragement to | We accept how we each learn and grow at
| spiritual growth in our congregations: | church | A free and responsible search for truth and meaning; | We are always learning for ourselves and together; | The rights of conscience and the democratic process | We have a say about things that are | within our congregations and in society at large; | important to us; | The goal of world community with peace, liberty | We help to make the world a better | and justice for all; | place for everyone; | Respect for the interdependent web of all existence | Everything and everyone is related. | of which we are a part. | |
Unison: Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles of our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision. As free congregations we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust and support.
Likes and Wishes: How was this session for you?
Zidowecki, January
2006