What is a
Unitarian Universalist Church?

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.

The Unitarian Universalist Association (the UUA) 

The UUA is the central organization for the Unitarian Universalist (UU) religious movement in the United States. Our faith is diverse and inclusive and the UUA’s 1000+ member congregations are committed to shared values and principles that hold closely the worth and dignity of each person as sacred, the need for justice and compassion, the right of conscience, and respect for the interdependent nature of all existence.

What do UUs believe?

Our beliefs are diverse and inclusive. We have no shared creed. We do have a shared covenant, known as the Seven Principles.

Our church supports a free and responsible church for truth and meaning. Unitarianism and Universalism began as two separate liberal Christian traditions. Now united, our search for truth and meaning has led us to embrace diverse teaching from Eastern and Western religions and philosophies.

In short,spirituality, not dogma.

What are the Seven Principles?

The Seven Principles are as follows:

  • 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 existence of which we are all part.

If these principles resonate with you, then UU might just be the denomination you’ve been looking for.

What do UUs believe about God?

Individual members of UU churches  have different concepts of God. Some of our members don’t even believe in God.  Some UUs don’t find the term useful.

Jesus is generally considered to be a prophet and a teacher rather than God, or the only son of God.

What do UUs believe about what happens after we die?

UU considers this life to be of primary importance, but members actively explore ideas about the afterlife. Some believe in universal salvation. Some believe that the only afterlife we receive is the legacy we leave on earth. The afterlife is really rarely discussed in a UU church.

Do UU churches have sacred texts?

We do not use one central sacred text. Members draw from scripture, science, nature, philosophy, personal experience, ancient tradition, and more.

You aren’t required to accept or agree with anything you find in any text. Instead you are encouraged to find the meaning that resonates for you within certain texts.

Why join?

A UU church can offer support in your spiritual journey, a chance to meet new people, and a place to explore ideas that interest you. In addition, our church offers you an opportunity to do real good in the world.

For example, our members have been active in the Rebuilding Together Houston effort, where they repaired more than 50 homes for Houston residents who couldn’t afford to repair them themselves. We teach free English as a second language classes to immigrants.

Our church welcomes people of all races, genders, gender identities, sexual orientations, socioeconomic background, and more. If you’re looking for a Houston church home, visit us and learn more about what Emerson UU has to offer.