We Are Unitarian Universalists

UUCV is a member congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA), a global faith movement that draws intentionally from six diverse religious sources, and affirms seven principles as strong values and moral guides.

UUA congregations are organized geographically into regions and districts; our congregation is a member of the Joseph Priestley District, which in turn is part of the Central East Regional Group.

What does it mean to be a UU?

We are brave, curious, and compassionate thinkers and doers. We are diverse in faith, ethnicity, history and spirituality, but aligned in our desire to make a difference for the good. We have a track record of standing on the side of love, justice, and peace.

We have radical roots and a history as self-motivated spiritual people: we think for ourselves and recognize that life experience influences our beliefs more than anything.

We need not think alike to love alike. We are people of many beliefs and backgrounds: people with a religious background, people with none, people who believe in a God, people who don’t, and people who let the mystery be.

We are Unitarian Universalist and Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Humanist, Jewish, Muslim, Pagan, atheist and agnostic, believers in God, and more.

On the forefront of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer inclusion for more than 40 years, we are people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

Together, we create a force more powerful than one person or one belief system. As Unitarian Universalists, we do not have to check our personal background and beliefs at the door: we join together on a journey that honors everywhere we’ve been before.

Our beliefs are diverse and inclusive. We have no shared creed. Our shared covenant (our seven Principles) supports “the free and responsible search for truth and meaning.” Though Unitarianism and Universalism were both liberal Christian traditions, this responsible search has led us to embrace diverse teachings from Eastern and Western religions and philosophies.

Unitarian Universalists believe more than one thing. We think for ourselves, and reflect together, about important questions:

The existence of a Higher Power
Life and Death
Sacred Texts
Inspiration and Guidance
Prayer and Spiritual Practices

We are united in our broad and inclusive outlook, and in our values, as expressed in our seven Principles. We are united in shared experience: our open and stirring worship services, religious education, and rites of passage; our work for social justice; our quest to include the marginalized; our expressions of love.

We create change: in ourselves, in the world.

Seven days a week, UUs live their faith by doing. Whether in community with others or as an individual, we know that active, tangible expressions of love, justice, and peace are what make a difference. Embracing peace, love, and understanding that goes beyond individual belief systems, we are creators of positive change in people and in the world.

The ways we do it:

Worship & inspiration — Sunday mornings and beyond.
Learning & growth — spiritual and educational programs for all ages.
Action & service — volunteering and work for justice.
Connection & care — caring outreach, mutual support, and small groups for adults, youth, families, and children.
Celebrations & rites of passage — weddings, memorials/funerals, baby blessings, coming-of-age, and child dedications.

We welcome you: your whole self, with all your truths and your doubts, your worries and your hopes. Join us on this extraordinary adventure of faith. Get involved!

Our Movement

The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) represents the interests of more than one thousand UU congregations throughout North America. The association was formed in 1961 by the merger of two religious movements: the Universalists, organized in 1793, and the Unitarians, organized in 1825.

The Joseph Priestley District (JPD) is one of the UUA’s 19 regional districts, and includes 70 member congregations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Northern Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The district provides a variety of resources and services to member congregations to assist with congregational growth, leadership development, youth programming, and much more.

Within JPD, we participate in a cluster of south-central Pennsylvania churches which organizes more local events such as our annual Association Sunday.

Districts are organized into regional groups for certain cooperative programs; JPD is part of the Central East Regional Group (CERG), which also includes the Metro New York, Ohio-Meadville, and St. Lawrence districts.

Camps and Conferences: Links to regional UU-affiliated and/or member-recommended camps and conferences for children, families, and individuals. A complete listing of UU-affiliated summer camps, summer institutes, and conference centers can be found here.