About Us
How We Are Organized
Individuals affirm Unitarian Universalist Principles and find inspiration in one or more Unitarian Universalist sources, but a vital part of Unitarian Universalism is a personal commitment to a larger community. Belonging to a UU congregation affirms that we are interdependent. Our congregation is a vital matrix of all that we are together. And who we are together, in turn shapes each one of us individually.
Unitarian Universalist congregations form an association of churches and fellowships called the Unitarian Universalist Association. This voluntary association allows us to share resources and form coalitions, but it is not a hierarchical structure with centralized authority. Each congregation operates independently, using the democratic process to make decisions. Unitarian Universalist congregations own their own buildings, call their own ministers, and live their own sense of mission. Each congregation tends to have its own unique feel based on its members, its history, and its shared values.
Members of a Unitarian Universalist church are active participants in making decisions that impact the ministry of the church. The congregation elects a Board of Directors that sets policy and has legal and fiduciary responsibility. The Board is responsible for shaping the mission of the church based on ongoing conversations with the congregation.