Our Roots

Modern Unitarian Universalism traces its roots to the post-Reformation period of the 1600's which witnessed the establishment of many new religions including Unitarians and Universalists.

The word "Unitarian" came into use in 16th century Transylvania and was a term used to designate a number of groups that had pledged themselves not to persecute one another and that wished to emphasize the oneness of God as distinct from the traditional Trinitarian formulation.  The American Unitarian Association was organized in 1825.

The word "Universalist," also born in the post-Reformation world, defined those people who were opposed to the cruel doctrine that only the "elect" of humanity would be saved.  Their belief, on the contrary, was that salvation is universal for "the whole human family."  The Universalist Church of America was formed in 1793.

The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) was born in 1961 when The American Unitarian Association and The Universalist Church of America officially merged.

What we believe

Unitarian Universalists do not have a prescribed creed, but we do have a set of principles to guide our lives.

• 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.

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The Mid-South District

The Mid-South District is a regional association of congregations in Alabama, Northern Florida, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee. The Mid-South District exists to serve its member congregations who join together in service to the principles and purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations. The district's mission also includes "encouraging the growth of existing societies, promoting the formation of new societies, aiding congregations in communicating within the denomination, and inspiring the vision that we are part of a larger whole"

The Unitarian Universalist Association

The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) represents the interests of more than one thousand Unitarian Universalist congregations, on a continental scale. The UUA grew out of the consolidation, in 1961, of two religious denominations: the Universalists, organized in 1793, and the Unitarians, organized in 1825.

The UUA provides resources and offers consultations to local congregations, creates religious education curricula, spurs social action efforts, expedites the settlement of professional religious leaders, supports Beacon Press, and produces pamphlets, devotional material, and the bimonthly journal, UU World. The UUA works in concert with many organizations to provide a wide range of services.