first uu church of san antonio 1961 building starts at the proposed intersection of two major...
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First UU Church of San Antonio
1961Building starts at the proposed intersection of two major highways as a “beacon on the hill.”
1998 Sanctuary dedicated
2010420 members (~80 friends)
Serving San Antonio since 1945
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UUA.ORG
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Unitarian UniversalismA Proud Tradition of Liberal Religion
Liberal Religion
affirms a positive, high view of humanity is about change and reform embraces personal freedom of belief encourages applying reason and
experience to scripture, doctrine, and life! requires action and a commitment to social
justice is not the same as liberal politics
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Our Seven Principles
As member congregations of the UUA, we 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.
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Our Six Sources
Direct experience of wonder and awe Words and deeds of prophets who confronted
injustice with the transforming power of love Wisdom where it is found in all religious
traditions Jewish and Christian teachings Humanist teachings Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions
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Values That Guide Us
Loving ACCEPTANCE of one another FREEDOM of belief informed by reason The transcendent experience of
WONDER & AWE Life-long LEARNING & GROWTH Working for JUSTICE in the world Connection is a caring COMMUNITY
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Our Mission to the World
INVITE all into caring community
INSPIRE spiritual growth
INVOLVE everyone in working for a peaceful, just and free world
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Our Covenant
Love is the doctrine of this church,the quest of truth is its sacramentand service is its prayer.To dwell together in peace,to seek knowledge in freedom,to serve humanity in fellowship,to the end that all souls shall grow into harmony with the divine,thus do we covenant with each other.
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Early ChristianitySeeds of reason and discontent
History Act 1
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UNITARIAN
Origen 185-c.254
Universal Salvation
UNIVERSALIST
Arius 256 – 336
Rejection ofthe Trinity
If anyone does not anathematize Arius, Eunomius, Macedonius, Apollinaris, Nestorius, Eutyches and Origen, as well as their impious writings … let him be anathema.
- Fifth Ecumenical Council
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Eastern Europe in the 16th Century The Reformation? Not far enough.
History Act 2
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The Radical Reformation & Religious Toleration
Michael Servetus martyred for writing On the Errors of the Trinity
King John Sigismund of Transylvania converts to Unitarianism and creates first society with religious tolerance.
Faustus Socinus founds Unitarian church in Poland
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AmericaRich soil for the free religious search
“It had to happen here.”
History Act 3
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Toward the Unitarian Controversy
Puritans founded Calvinist churches based on individual experience of scripture
1648 Cambridge Platform: “There is no greater church than a congregation which may ordinarily meet in one place.”
Freedom of the Pulpit -- Freedom of the Pew
Founding Fathers deeply influenced by Enlightenment values, a few embrace deism
During 18th century America becomes increasingly secular
By the 19th century the miracles are debated, resulting in the Unitarian Controversy
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Unitarianism
Unitarian Controversy ends in William Ellery Channing’s sermon “Unitarian Christianity.”
Transcendentalists begin as Unitarian reform movement, become American Romanticism. They stress radical individualism, experiencing the Holy in nature, the exploration of Eastern traditions, and social justice and reform.
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Universalism
John Murray (1741-1815): British Methodist, came to believe God’s love would save everyone. “Give them not hell but hope.”
Hosea Ballou deepens Universalist theology (1805) Murray spread Universalism in America, founded 1st Universalist church in Gloucester, MA (1779)
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What happens next is up to us
History Act 4
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20th century
1900-1961Moving from Christian Unitarianism and Universalism to Humanism
1961THE merger
1961-1999Post-merger identity crisis
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21st Century
Our theological diversity
2006 survey data
Traditionally “spiritual” (specific) 32%
Religious humanism (specific) 40%
Seekers (comfortable with not knowing) 26%
Non-religious 2%
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Returning to our values
Loving ACCEPTANCE of one another The transcendent experience of
WONDER & AWE Working for JUSTICE in the world FREEDOM of belief informed by
reason Life-long LEARNING; life-long
GROWTH Connection to a caring COMMUNITY