Why UU?
Unitarian Universalists generally believe that religion and spirituality are matters of personal experience. Each person has the capability and freedom to determine which beliefs are reasonable and meaningful to him or her. This means that Unitarian Universalism does not promote religious creeds, doctrines or Scriptures that one must accept in order to be a member. Each member is free to choose a spiritual path that enlightens, inspires and guides their life journey.
As a result, Unitarian Universalist congregations and their Sunday services practice worship elements that almost anyone will find meaningful. Such practices are not derived from any specific religion but are instead open and joyful ways all people can “worship”. That allows us to come together on Sunday mornings in a spirit of unity – whether one is Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Humanist or simply “spiritual”. All are welcome and all beliefs are celebrated.
Services at the Gathering at Northern Hills follow in that Unitarian Universalist tradition. We celebrate togetherness, service to others, humility and kindness. All age groups will feel a part of the service but we purposefully seek to instruct and inspire our youth in ways to be informed, caring and responsible people. We dedicate ourselves to serving youth both within our congregation as well as those in the wider community and city – particularly youth who experience hardship through homelessness and poverty. We try to serve and love one another within our congregation, but our larger goal is to engage in “hands on” work for persons who suffer from discrimination, bigotry, poverty, hunger or disease. We support both financially and by our volunteer work many charities in the area. We seek to be an outwardly focused congregation – one that believes a primary purpose of a spiritual community is to make a difference in the lives of its members and in lives of people in our society who need assistance.
Overall, the Gathering at Northern Hills is a friendly, warm, dedicated and enthusiastic congregation. We have fun together. We learn and grow together. And, importantly, we serve the world together – all with the idea that the greatest spiritual ethic is the Golden Rule – to love others as we wish to be loved ourselves.
As a member congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association, we of the Gathering at Northern Hills affirm and promote Seven Principles of the national denomination.
We believe in:
- 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.
