Welcome to Unitarian Universalism 101! We hope these short videos and readings provide you with a better understanding of our core values, our history, our theology, and what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist (UU).

Total video watch time is 37 minutes.
-Adapted from a series compiled by Rev. Matthew Johnson.

We Are Unitarian Universalists

We are people of many backgrounds who have diverse beliefs, but shared values. Together, we offer a guided path towards a better you and a better world.

Get to know us in this short animated video, produced by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). (3 minutes)

UU Theology

Rev. Matthew Johnson guides us through the fascinating journey of Unitarian Universalist theology. (12 minutes)

Holy Now

After watching Matthew’s Theology video, listen to Holy Now by singer-songwriter Peter Mayer. Sometimes referred to as the “sacred science song,” it captures the essence of the holy all around us. (4 minutes)

Our History

The Unitarian Universalist legacy reaches back centuries to liberal religious pioneers in England, Poland and Transylvania, making it hard to do justice to our history in a short video. So we will focus on our history within the United States, where we grew from the union of two radical Christian groups: the Universalists, who organized in 1793, and the Unitarians, who organized in 1825. They joined to become the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) in 1961.

A History of Unitarianism

by Rev. Sean Neil-Barron. (7 minutes)

A History of Universalism

by Rev. Sean Neil-Barron. (5 minutes)

How Do UUs Describe Their Faith?

These final two videos capture how people describe their UU faith through words and song.

What Is a Unitarian Universalist?

UUs responded to this question during the 2010 General Assembly (GA) of the UUA. UUs congregate at our annual GAs to tend to congregational business, learning, worship, and fun. Produced by the On Being Project. (2 minutes)

We Are…

May your spirit be lifted as the 2020 UUA GA Virtual choir performs “We Are…” (4 minutes)

“We Are…” by Ysaÿe Barnwell
GA Virtual Choir directed by Benjie Messer
Soloist: Dr. Ysaÿe Barnwell

And Here Are Some Readings

We Welcome People with Many Beliefs

Unitarian Universalists have many ways of naming what is sacred: God, Love, Mystery, Source of All, Spirit of Life. Rather than requiring members to accept a specific creed, UUs practice a covenantal faith. Through our covenants, we voluntarily “promise from the heart” how we will be in relationship with one another, recognizing we are interdependent and that relationship itself is sacred. More

Our Shared UU Values

We draw from our heritages of freedom, reason, hope, and courage, building on the foundation of love. We live our shared values through the spiritual discipline of Love. Learn about our shared values and the inspirations that deepen and expand our wisdom. More

The Flaming Chalice

by Susan J. Ritchie. The flaming chalice is the symbol of Unitarian Universalism. Most Unitarian Universalist congregations begin their worship on Sunday mornings by lighting one in the form of a lamp or candle. More