OUR LIVING TRADITION

Unitarian Universalism is a "Living Tradition." Its emphasis is not upon doctrines but rather principles, not upon salvation but upon living today and living it fully, deeply, with passion and compassion. The word "tradition" evokes a sense of the past, of what has been handed down to us. What has been bequeathed us by earlier generations is not an ossified religion but rather an ever-changing, evolving one. It takes shape as each of us lives our UU principles. This is why we call ours a "living tradition."

If you are new you may wonder what these principles are. You'll find them in the front of the hymnal, on the back of our Order of Service, posted on the sanctuary wall and listed on this page. If you attend long enough you'll find them living in our heart and discover them in the ways in which we relate to one another and to the world.

In some ways we are different from other faith systems. Most religions require that you believe in a particular story, a particular God, a particular authority, specific rules. We ask none of these.  We do not insist that you believe one thing in particular -- if the story of Jesus' life speaks to you, great; if Buddhist meditation centres you, fantastic; if Humanism's approach helps you make sense of the world, right on. We draw from many religious and ethical sources.   But the covenant which binds us together is the affirmation of our seven broad principles. Their real meaning is to be found in how we live them out in our lives.  We are not concerned at all with right belief, but with living ethically.  

WE LIVE BY SEVEN PRINCIPLES

As Unitarian Universalists we 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.

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 neighbours 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.

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.

  
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH IN A CREEDLESS FAITH?

When one sits in a newcomer's orientation  listening to those who have been brave enough to enter our doors, one hears of the need for community. Our members come seeking belonging, people to live with.  

This brings us to the second human need that the church fills -- the need to find meaning in our lives. Surviving is not enough. We want to understand our lives as part of a narrative with a direction, purpose and meaning. We provide opportunities to move toward spiritual maturity, the opportunity to grow in understanding and wisdom, greater self-understanding and the deepening compassion one feels for others.

 With the growing sense of belonging that one can discover in religious community, greater self-consciousness and the deepening compassion one feels for others, a third human need arises -- the desire to serve.  For in serving others we find a purpose to live for.

The church is not primarily about right belief. It survives because it fills basic human needs.   Let us be clear about why we are here. Our living tradition, Unitarian Universalism, brings a particularly open-minded and open-hearted approach to the basic human need for:

Belonging -- a people to live with

Spiritual Maturity -- principles to live by

Ministry -- a purpose to live for

A TRADITION OF LIBERAL LEADERSHIP

As a Protestant Christian movement, Unitarianism dates from the sixteenth century. From its inception, however, our commitment to individual freedom of belief has enriched and expanded those beginnings. During the nineteenth century American transcendentalism widened our sympathies beyond the walls of Christianity to a universal spirituality. In the early twentieth century, the American Humanist movement added a deep respect for reason and science.

First Unitarian Congregation of Toronto was founded in 1845 and is the second oldest continuing Unitarian congregation in Canada. Always a haven for freedom of religious thought and inquiry, First Unitarian attracted members who lived out their faith in service to the larger community. Women’s rights found an early Unitarian champion in Dr. Emily Stowe, the first woman to practice medicine in Canada, and Eliza Sunderland, who worked for women’s suffrage.  Unitarians fostered progressive forms of education for children under Joseph Workman, Toronto’s first chairman of the Board of Education. In the arts, Edward Fisher founded and first directed the Toronto Conservatory of Music and Luigi von Kunits founded and first conducted the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.

Today, First Unitarian members continue our tradition of active involvement throughout the city. Groups within our congregation support many causes, including the Out of the Cold program, the Deer Park Food Drive, the Emily Stowe Shelter for Women, a Guatemalan school construction and medical project, Amnesty International, and the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office. Our congregation contributes to the quality of life in Toronto through worship, outreach and extensive adult and children's programs.