I am delighted to welcome you to the First Unitarian Society of Chicago, a 175-year-old faith community with a rich past and a vibrant present. Starting with our involvement in the integration of Hyde Park, and later in the civil rights movement, we have long been what was then called “an interracial community of high standards”. Today, our “high standards” include a deep respect for all, an insatiable curiosity to learn from one another, and a passion to serve the world. We are a delicious mix of races, cultures and beliefs, working to embody the Unitarian Universalist dream of unity in diversity.
If you are new to the Unitarian Universalist church, you may have never experienced anything quite like it. You will encounter worship that incorporates wisdom from the world’s scriptures as well as from the treasure trove of literature, philosophy and reflection on unfolding world events. (I recently heard a member call us the “Church of Right Now” – one that aspires to be relevant to today’s world.) Worship with us, and you could sit between an Atheist and a Christian, a Buddhist and a Pagan, at Theist and someone whose beliefs and influences are eclectic and evolving. What, you may ask, holds us together?
We base our faith primarily on human experience. As humans, we suffer and are often broken, but our faith teaches that we can all find wholeness. God is a mysterious force of love and grace, found in nature, community and within ourselves. When we practice our faith – through generosity, gratitude, humility and compassion – we help make God’s presence more manifest. We do this not just for ourselves, but to serve others, promote justice and transform a broken and hurting world.
These are exciting times at First Unitarian. We are in transition, a fruitful moment of experiment and adventure. Come, walk awhile with us, and determine if this community is your new spiritual home.
In Faith,
Rev. Barbara H. Gadon
Interim Senior Minister
The Spirit of First Unitarian Church
In this multicultural, multiracial urban congregation young people and their families and adults of every age join together for the first part of our Sunday morning worship service. Our choir sings at every service – you will hear classical and jazz, gospel and popular – our choir blends their voices to make beautiful and joyous music! Worship inspires our growth in body, mind, heart and spirit. Services focus on spiritual life, personal growth, our life in community and living our faith in the world. We draw from many sources of inspiration for readings, music, and sermons. Worship associates and guest speakers join our minister in leading worship, embodying a diversity of voice and person that echoes our compassion for diversity of many kinds. Our spirituality groups share and dialogue with each other and express our commitment to a spiritually pluralistic congregational life.
Our Social Justice ministry is an expression of the second principle of Unitarian Universalism. Our Social Justice task forces are very visible and accessible to all our members and friends, as social justice task forces provide opportunities for education, action and witness. We are encouraged to live our faith in the world through participation in these task forces, Unitarian Universalist social justice efforts and involvement in the Hyde Park and Kenwood Interfaith Council and housing advocacy in the community. Like the interfaith council we share a passion for healing the world and strengthening the bonds of relationship.A large number of our members and friends are involved in the life of the church in varying ways: supporting the Religious Education of our children and youth, creating multigenerational events, singing in the choir and offering other special music, taking and teaching Adult Religious Education programs, participating in social justice activities, taking care of our building, and supporting our church through substantial contributions of talent, energy, and financial support. We are a generous congregation. Most importantly, we encourage each member, friend and family to care for themselves and their own growing, while they join together to support the life of the church.
Decision making of all sorts grows within a collaborative relationship of the congregational leadership and staff. We hold congregational meetings yearly and Board meetings monthly. Like all Unitarian Universalist congregations, the authority lies within the congregation itself.
Our practice of greeting one another in worship, our warmth at Social Hour, our multigenerational activities like the All-Church Halloween party, and our caring for those with special needs expresses our caring for each other and our wide welcome to visitors and others who come to join us in worship, education and action. When we say “Love is the spirit of this church,” we mean it. You can feel that spirit in our relational life and our commitment to a spirit of inclusion and welcome to all shines through our statements of mission and vision.
Last Updated ( Sunday, 03 August 2008 )
The Seven Principles
There are seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations 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.
Spirit