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Northeast Iowa
UU Fellowship
PO Box 382
Decorah, IA 52101

Service location:
Bethania Church
113 N. Mill St.
Decorah, Iowa

Phone:
Sue Otte
563/382-3137
Bill Musser
563/382-3458

Unitarian Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religious tradition of Judeo-Christian origin that values: democratic principles; freedom of the individual; authority based on personal experience, conscience, and reason; respect for the validity of other religious traditions as well as non-theistic beliefs; and the free search for truth, without the requirement of subscribing to a statement of belief. Unitarian-Universalism has a long history of social justice advocacy and peace activism, with prominent members in the antislavery and women's suffrage movements.

The stated mission of the UUA is to "devote its resources to and exercise its corporate powers for religious, educational, and humanitarian purposes. The primary purpose of the Association is to serve the needs of its member congregations, organize new congregations, extend and strengthen Unitarian Universalist institutions, and implement its principles." Congregations of the UUA are all self-governing. Authority and responsibility are vested in the membership of the congregation.

The UUA works in concert with many other UU organizations, the largest of which is the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC). Since its early work aiding victims of Nazi oppression, the UUSC has been helping people help themselves through service and advocacy programs around the world. The Unitarian Universalist Women's Federation, an independent membership organization, represents, organizes, and acts on the concerns and issues of importance to women across the continent. Another related organization is the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Larger Fellowship, which provides a ministry to geographically isolated religious liberals.

We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to 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.

- 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.
- Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles 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.