At First Unitarian Church of San José, we believe in the enduring value of love, service, and spiritual growth within a warm community.  As we pledge, in Spanish and in English, each Sunday, “Love is the doctrine of this church, the quest of truth is its sacrament, and service is its prayer. To dwell together in peace, to seek truth in freedom, to serve humankind in fellowship, to the end that all souls may grow into harmony with the divine: This do we covenant with one another.”

What do Unitarian Universalists believe? As Unitarian Universalists, we believe that each individual’s spiritual path will be unique, but also that there is a unity which binds us together and makes us one. We believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every person. We believe in justice, equity, and compassion in human relations. And we believe that, through hard work and compassion, we will realize our goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.

We believe in the lasting value of caring and supportive religious education and the crucial developmental benefit that children and learners of all ages receive when connecting with their community. We also believe in the importance of spiritual dialogue, so when you’re ready, we want to hear what you believe, even if you aren’t quite sure.

While Unitarian Universalism generally eschews strict dogma, our faith maintains these seven core principles:

• 1st Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
• 2nd Principle: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
• 3rd Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
• 4th Principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
• 5th Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
• 6th Principle: The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; and
• 7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

We live out these Principles within a “living tradition” of wisdom and spirituality, drawn from sources as diverse as science, poetry, scripture, and personal experience:

1. 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;
2. 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;
3. Wisdom from the world’s religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
4. Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
5. 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;
6. 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.

Wherever you may be in your faith journey, we invite you come visit with us this Sunday and explore whether First Unitarian Church of San José may be the spiritual home you’ve been looking for.

Our church has adopted Moral Positions based on our values and UU principles.  Please see:

How our UU Principles and Sources lead to us to work towards Social Justice