European
Unitarian Universalist Retreat
Spring 2013
12-14 April 2013 [details]
Le Centre de Mittelwihr (FR)
On May 12 at 11:00 we welcome our Guest Ministers, Charlotte Cowtan and Amy Carol Webb.Both Amy and Charlotte are delighted to be in Basel with their children this Mother’s Day, and have collaborated to provide this service in celebration of mothers and mothering.
Children's Version of
the Principles and Purposes
1. Each person is important.
2. Be kind in all you do.
3. We're free to learn together.
4. We search for what is true.
5. All people need a voice.
6. Build a fair and peaceful world.
7. We care for Earth's lifeboat.
The Principle of Compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. To learn more, go here ...
Our Spiritual Sources
Our Spiritual Sources: There are Seven Principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote:
- 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.
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.
Theological Perspectives
Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion that embraces theological diversity. Our faith has evolved through a long history with origins in European Christian traditions. Unitarian Universalism today is the result of the 1961 consolidation of the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America. Unitarian Universalists today in general draw from a variety of religious traditions. Individuals may or may not self-identify as Christians or subscribe to Christian beliefs.Our fellowship retains some Christian traditions, such as Sunday worship with a sermon and hymns, while being mindful of and encouraging personal choice in spiritual practices. This is in keeping with our creedless, non-dogmatic approach to spirituality and faith development.