The theology of my ministry is rooted in a vibrant tradition dedicated to hold multiple truths in a shared space.  As stated in the order of service at the Fourth Universalist Society in the City of New York, "Unitarian Universalism is a creedless faith, one without dogma or threats of eternal punishment, yet we are a demanding faith, one that calls on the power of our minds, our hearts, and our hands to create a better world."  This is a simple, yet potent statement.  Here we make a promise to one another to make meaning rather than demean one another because of our ideological, political, or theological differences.  We gather in community to walk with each other as we make our different journeys of faith.  We do this by never condemning one another for our evolving beliefs/theologies.  Put simply, our tradition does not prescribe dogma but we do help people brew, cook, and nurture their thea/ological journey of faith. 

We gather around a common heritage committed to social justice and equity in human relations.  For these reasons we use the chalice as a symbol of our Unitarian Universalist (UU) history. The chalice was used by Unitarians in Germany in the early 1940s as a code for safety for those perpetrated by Nazi genocide.  This chalice is kindled in all UU services to represent our commitment to creating a space of refuge.  Over 600,000 individuals from many faith traditions find refuge in this symbol, and our theology of ministry.

To uphold a practice dedicated to equity, inclusion, and democracy, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) covenant to affirm and promote seven principles.  As a candidate for UU ministry, i appropriate the principles so that our values become accessible to learners of all ages.

These principles are the values and the moral grounding to our religious tradition.  They are the foundations of our beliefs, our way of life; yet, they are not affirmed as a creed.  There is a very clear line between a credo (our beliefs) and a creed (an official statement of doctrine).  This credo or statement of belief, allows each Unitarian Universalist, each individual, each family, each congregation/society/fellowship to determine their religious practices.  This is why each and every UU worship space looks completely differently (temples, synagogues, school cafeterias, warehouses, cathedrals, etc.).  Yet, this free religious structure does not warrant anarchy - rather this emancipatory structure enhances one's spiritual journey because it is rooted in a living tradition that draws from many sources.  These sources provide structure that gives us the freedom to embark on our religious exploration.  The following text is also taken from the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) covenant that directly follows the principles.

The living tradition that 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 inspire us in our ethical and spiritual life;
• Jewish and Christian teachings which all us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors and 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-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.

These sources are taught to the children, who seem to love using these theological tools to further their questions.  They relish in having so many options, so many theological colors from which to create.  Together, these sources and principles root our theology of ministry in a living tradition that "calls on the power of our minds, our hearts, our hands to create a better world."  For that we are grateful.  As stated in the UUA covenant, we are "grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision."

Statement of Faith

As a Unitarian i uphold the oneness of god, and therefore, theologically, find myself ministering to others.  I see god in them; i see and support their inherent worth and dignity.  This, however, does not mean that i mission, convert, or save someone who does not believe in an egoless god, or in a Unitarian theology.  It's quite the opposite.  I can say that i affirm Unitarianism and still worship with a member of my congregation who may be a Trinitarian.  In fact, our congregation, and our denomination welcomes all faith traditions, and therefore, provides mechanisms to minister to them.  This does not mean that i must be Christian in order to minister to a Christian.  This theology of ministry, seen in my church and in my tradition is very attractive to interfaith families, liberal lay-theologians, and for those wounded by their childhood religious tradition.  Many find refuge in our theological and social commitments.

For example, as a Universalist, i minister to people by affirming their inherent worth.  A Universalist believes that everyone is saved because we are all called into life and upon our death we return to the light from whence we came.  Universalists believe that a loving god does not destroy, condemn, or demean.  To proclaim a Universalist heritage is to affirm universal salvation for all - everyone is saved because of their inherent worth, not because of how they do or do not pray, or to whom they pray.

A Universalist tradition informs my ministry by providing me with many resources to advance "a creedless faith, one without dogma or threats of eternal punishment."  For these reasons, the people to whom i minister feel affirmed.  They feel loved on a very deep level - they feel safe and nurtured and welcome.  They are welcome not because they share my beliefs, but they are welcome because they are unique and beautiful humans.  This why i have articulated a ministerial covenant: a promise to never put my idea of god over another person.  I pledge to never diminish another's worth because of our differing opinions.  This is why i have stated throughout my writing that i believe, as expressed by composer the Rev. Burns Stanfield, that god is a series of moments. 

This is the essence of my ministry, to meet people where they are and provide a space for grace.  To see them as the person that they are, not as someone who needs to be eternally saved - why? - because they are already a part of the transcending mystery and wonder, a member of the interdependent web of all existence.