Not Creeds
. . . Deeds
If this is your first
encounter with Unitarian Universalists, we want you to know that we
would love to welcome you as a member. But we want you to get to
know us, become a part of us informally, and find out what makes us
"tick" first.
You see, we are very much a family. So we don't want you to join,
and then come once a year. Joining represents commitment.
No, we don't expect you to be here every week! We know you have a
full life to lead. But we do want members to be involved in our
community life in a manner that reflects their concerns and talents, and
not simply to come on Sunday occasionally.
As you get to know us, take the opportunity to talk with me, and let me
know of your interest. Then, all you do is sign the membership
book one Sunday morning, as we welcome you before the community.
(For those who prefer, it is of course possible to sign the membership
book in private--though we would really like people to know who you
are.)
There is no credal test involved in becoming a member of a Unitarian
Universalist community. Your beliefs, both in terms of faith and
politics, are your personal concern. You do not have to believe
any particular set of beliefs. We simply want you to be in general
alignment with our view of how humans ought to treat one another and the
planet.
Deeds, not creeds, are our the core of our spirituality. What this
means is expressed in the seven principles of Unitarian Universalism:
- The 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 right of conscience and the use of 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.
These principles are not a creed or any form of statement of faith.
They are simply principles we have found that we hold in common.
A
Reason to Join
The following words, written by a colleague, Dr Katie Korb, express succinctly
why a person should join us:
There is only one reason for joining a Unitarian Universalist community.
That is to support it.
You want to support it because it stands against superstition and fear.
Because it points to what is noblest and best in human life. Because it is
open to men and women of whatever race, creed, color, or place of origin.
You want to support a Unitarian Universalist community because it has a free
pulpit. Because you can hear ideas expressed there which would cost any
other minister his or her job.
You want to support it because it is a place where children can come without
being saddled with guilt or terrified of some "celestial peeping tom;"
where they can learn that religion is for joy, for comfort, for gratitude and
love.
You want to support it because it is a place where walls between people are torn
down rather than built up. Because it is a place for the religious
displaced persons of our time, the refugees from mixed marriages, the unwanted
freethinkers and those who insist against orthodoxy that they must work out
their own beliefs.
You want to support a Unitarian Universalist community because it is more
concerned with human beings that with dogma. Because it searches for the
holy, rather than dwells upon the depraved. Because it calls no one a
sinner, yet knows how deep is the struggle and how great is the hunger for what
is good.
You want to support a Unitarian Universalist community because it can laugh.
Because it stands for something in a day when religion is still more concerned
with drinking and smoking than with prejudice and war.
You want to support it because it insults neither your intelligence nor your
conscience, and because it calls you to worship what is truly worthy of your
sacrifice.
If these are your sentiments . . . then welcome! You belong among us.
We hope you will find a spiritual home here, as we have.
Becoming
a Member
Becoming a member of North
Shore Unitarian Universalists can be an important step in one’s spiritual
journey. At NSUU, there are two levels of membership: general and
voting. Our by-laws define each.
“Any person may become a general member by participating in the
programs and activities of the Institution, expressing sympathy and
understanding for the purposes and history of the Unitarian Universalist
movement and demonstrating to the Minister or any Trustee an interest in
continuing involvement. Membership
is open to all qualified persons, regardless of race, color, sex, age, sexual or
gender orientation or national origin.”
Before joining, persons new
to Unitarian Universalism are encouraged to take a 2-hour class, New to UU,
offered quarterly by the Membership Coordinator Linda Allen.
She can be contacted at 985-626-4862, or at Hissobel@Aol.com
Voting members help decide
how NSUU is run – through their votes on issues and elections put before the
congregation. In order to be able to vote, individuals must wait 3 months after
signing the membership book, and have contributed at least $75 to the church
during that time. Because NSUU
values all members, the board can approve voting status to individuals who do
not have the financial resources to meet this requirement.
Those interested in joining
NSUU should contact our minister
David Ord at 882-0096, Membership Coordinator Linda Allen at 626-4862, board
President Dick Harris at 626-9800, or any current board member.
