BUC’s worship services use ritual, words, music, and silence to actively engage our shared values through Unitarian Universalism. Our worship services lift up messages of liberation and justice. They provide comfort and hope. They transform us and, in turn, our world.

Unitarian Universalism has roots stretching back across centuries and continents, but is very heavily influenced by liberal American contextual theologies of the late 20th century on. We’re not new, but our theologies are constantly evolving. Liberal religion is grounded in the understanding that religion is a dynamic force, rather than something static. Our goal is not to stay the same, but to respond to the changing needs of humanity. As such, Unitarian Universalists are not beholden to a creedal statement or set of doctrines. Instead, we are expected to develop our own personal theological framework by faithfully and respectfully selecting from the vast theological toolbox that has been developed over time and space and is unfolding around us all the time.

At the center of our religious lives is “covenant,” or the agreements that we make with each other. Many people have heard of our 7 Principles. That is an example of a covenant. BUC recently adopted an 8th Principle that is explicitly anti-racist and anti-oppressive. UUs value human relationships above all else. It is not important to us that we all believe or think the same way. What’s important to us is supporting each other, and being supported by each other, as we wrestle with life’s big questions.

This leads some to ask what we are worshiping during a worship service. Although many people in a UU congregation may believe in a god or gods, UU worship services are not used for worshiping a specific god. The word “worship” means “to make worthy.” UU services are a time set apart for the consideration of what we believe is worthy, often an idea or value that we feel could help us make meaning in our lives.

We gather on Sunday mornings to create sacred space and find inspiration that will carry us through the week.