This image is of a chalice with an overlay of the word Love over the flame, with six outstretched arms that create a circle around each of the core values and form a six-petal flower shape. Each arm is a different color, and clockwise they are: Interdependence (Orange), Equity (Red), Transformation (Purple), Pluralism (Blue), Generosity (Green), and Justice (Yellow).

What Do UUs Believe?

Unitarian Universalism is a covenantal faith rather than a creedal faith, meaning that we are not united by a set of shared beliefs but rather by how we treat one another. Covenant is what it means to love alike. Covenant is people making promises to themselves, each other, and the Spirit of Love (what some call and experience as God, though you need not name it that way).

What is Unitarian Universalism?

Unitarian Universalism is an historic faith. In 1822, in a letter to Benjamin Waterhouse, Thomas Jefferson wrote: “I rejoice that in this blessed country of free inquiry and belief, which has surrendered its conscience to neither kings or priests, the genuine doctrine of only one God is reviving, and I trust that there is not a young man now living in the United States who will not die a Unitarian.” Although Jefferson was mistaken in his expectation, both Unitarianism and Universalism continued their long history as free-thinking faiths, and in 1961, the traditions merged to form the Unitarian Universalist Association. But you want to know what UUs believe. As a non-creedal and pluralistic faith, what binds us to each other is not our shared religious convictions, but rather, our covenants: promises we make to each other, based in our shared Unitarian Universalist Values.

Our Shared UU Values

Our core values define us as a congregation and direct us in what we do.

Unitarian Universalism is a living tradition that has changed in many ways from the original Christian roots of its Universalist and Unitarian heritages, and it continues to evolve today. Most recently, this evolution has taken the form of adopting new language to describe who we are as UUs. At General Assembly in June 2024, UUs voted to replace existing Seven Principles and Six Sources language in our bylaws with language describing Unitarian Universalism through these shared values, all centered around love:

- Interdependence: We honor the interdependent web of all existence. With reverence for the great web of life and with humility, we acknowledge our place in it.
  We covenant to protect Earth and all beings from exploitation. We will create and nurture sustainable relationships of care and respect, mutuality and justice. We will work to repair harm and damaged relationships.
- Pluralism: We celebrate that we are all sacred beings, diverse in culture, experience, and theology.
  We covenant to learn from one another in our free and responsible search for truth and meaning. We embrace our differences and commonalities with Love, curiosity, and respect.
- Justice: We work to be diverse multicultural Beloved Communities where all thrive.
  We covenant to dismantle racism and all forms of systemic oppression. We support the use of inclusive democratic processes to make decisions within our congregations, our Association, and society at large.
- Transformation: We adapt to the changing world.
  We covenant to collectively transform and grow spiritually and ethically. Openness to change is fundamental to our Unitarian and Universalist heritages, never complete and never perfect.
- Generosity: We cultivate a spirit of gratitude and hope.
  We covenant to freely and compassionately share our faith, presence, and resources. Our generosity connects us to one another in relationships of interdependence and mutuality.
- Equity: We declare that every person is inherently worthy and has the right to flourish with dignity, love, and compassion.
  We covenant to use our time, wisdom, attention, and money to build and sustain fully accessible and inclusive communities.

We arrived at this description of Unitarian Universalism after a multi-year process of discernment and discussion, writing and revision, and eventually a final democratic vote. The process of review and revision is mandated by UUA bylaws to happen every 15 years, and the language describing Unitarian Universalist faith has changed multiple times over the course of our history. We encourage you to review the final adopted language of Article II (PDF, 3 pages), which includes our Shared Values.

Find more resources on our shared values.

In other words:

“We need not think alike, to love alike.”

Being a member of our congregation and the wider Unitarian Universalist community is an ongoing process of renewing commitment and growth. No two members’ journeys are going to be alike, even as they journey together. That said, our UU Asheville congregation has its own mission and covenant. We believe that we need to meet together regularly, serve each other and the world, learn together and work to build a better world for ourselves, our children, and all living beings.

For more information about membership, spiritual deepening, social groups, and justice ministry available at UU Asheville, please fill out the Visitor Connection Form and you will be contacted by our Connections Coordinator, Trevor Johnson.

Visitor Form

Path Into Membership