First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa

that each person houses a divine spirit while others do not believe in any sort of divinity. Our common denominator is a belief in openness, tolerance, and compassion for others and our environment. Although each of us seeks an individual truth, Unitarian Universalists affirm by the seven principles and six spiritual sources of our religious faith. The Seven Principles
We, the member congregations of the Canadian Unitarian Council, 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 congregation 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. Our Spiritual Sources
As Unitarian Universalists, we draw upon six sources help us deepen our under-standing and expand our vision:
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 people 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-centred traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature. The Chalice
At the opening of Sunday worship and other meetings, many UU congregations light a flame inside a chalice. This flaming chalice has become a well-known symbol of our denomination. It unites our members in worship and symbolizes the spirit of our work. The story of the chalice
An Austrian artist and refugee from the N***s, Hans Deutsch, became involved with the Unitarian Service Committee (USC) during World War II. The USC assisted people escaping from the N***s and oversaw a secret network of couriers and agents. This group asked Deutsch to create a symbol for them. He drew a pencil-and-ink chalice with a flame. The flaming chalice design was made into a seal for papers and a badge for agents moving refugees to freedom. It is now a symbol of Unitarian Universalism all around the world. About Unitarianism
The First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa follows the tenets of Unitarian Universalism—a liberal religion that combines two religious movements: Unitarianism and Universalism. Tenets of Unitarianism and Universalism date back to Ancient Christianity. The word "Unitarian" was first associated with a religious faith during the 16th century in Transylvania. It began as a religious movement that opposed the idea of the Holy Trinity and believed in the oneness of God, free human will, and the loving benevolence of God. Universalism, which developed in North America in the 1800s, was a reaction against strict Calvinist doctrines of eternal punishment. Universalists believed that dignity and worth is innate to all people regardless of s*x, color, race, or class. Both Unitarians and Universalists believed in an inclusive theology, and they often acted together in many social justice movements in the 19th and 20th centuries. Unitarian Universalism. In 1961, the two movements merged and formed the Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC) in Canada and the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) in the United States. For 40 years, these two organizations worked closely together to provide services and programs to congregations in both countries. However, by 2000, the CUC decided that it needed to focus on specific
Canadian needs. In 2002, the CUC became the main association and service provider for Unitarians and Universalists in Canada.