The U.U. Equation defines what we need to teach about our faith. What if every child could use this as start to knowing their U.U. identity?
"We live by seven principles from seven sources and learn through four themes. These give us four beliefs which create our U.U. Identity."
Seven Principles
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.
Seven Principles for Children
Do-Re-Mi UU Principles
(sung to the tune of Do-Re-Mi)
One: Each person is worthwhile.
Two: Be kind in all you do.
Three: We help each other learn.
Four: And search for what is true.
Five: All people have a say.
Six: Work for a peaceful world.
Seven: The web of life's the way,
That will bring us back to me and U.U…
Do Re Mi Fa So La Ti Do… Ti….Do!
Seven Sources
The living tradition which we share 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. •And a new one: Our Unitarian Universalist Heritage.
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.
Seven Sources for Children:
The tradition we share comes from many sources:
The sense of wonder we all share.
People whose lives remind us to be kind and fair.
The wisdom of the world’s religions.
Jewish and Christian teachings.
The use of reason and the discoveries of science.
The harmony of nature and the sacred circle of life.
Our Unitarian Universalist history.
Note that our UUA Sources do not include a mention of our rich heritage from our own faith. It’s time we added it.
Four Themes
1) World Religions
2) Jewish and Christian Heritages
3) Unitarian Universalism
4) O.W.L.
These are the 4 things we should teach. These themes are unique to our faith, and to which we alone can give U.U. perspective. My motto: "Narrow our focus and broaden our understanding."
Four Beliefs
I first described these in my book "Full Circle." Here are beliefs that we can identify and should be teaching. They are beliefs that make up the "personality" of our faith.
1) We believe that by being together in community we learn best and love best.
We value being in community. That’s an important part of being a UU. That’s what makes us a faith. We may value being alone on a mountaintop, but we find that sharing ideas is the best way to learn. We have folks who act for justice alone, but we find that acting for justice and compassion together is even more powerful. That’s why our sharing circle is an important ritual. Our families don’t want to practice religious education alone. When a child sees a whole group of people supporting the searching, questioning and tolerance that we value, they understand that it is a real and important thing.
2) We believe that there is the potential for good in each person.
We come from a liberal theological tradition rooted in idealism. It shapes our vision and our hope for the future. It sometimes blinds us to the shadow side of life. But the belief in that potential for good is a part of being UU.
3) We believe that we can trust the inner voice of our hearts and use reason and compassion to make decisions.
We can access that potential for good inside ourselves and listen to what compassion and reason is telling us. We try to bring to love and reason to each aspect of our lives.
4) We believe that choosing is the essential religious act.
Our universe and our lives are unpredictable and sometimes unfathomable, but choosing with reason and compassion is the best we can do. We can change our choices, based on new evidence and new feelings. Nothing is set in stone.
Four Beliefs for Children
1) We believe that we learn best together.
2) We believe that each person has good in them.
3) We believe that we can make choices using love and reason.
4) We believe that we can change our choices.
