A 21st Century Message

We want to extend a warm welcome to you from the UCCA and sincerely hope you'll find a welcoming environment and new home here with us. As our “Platform” may be unfamiliar to you, we invite you to take this opportunity to learn more about who we are and what we believe is genuinely a “faith whose time has come, indeed, a faith for today.” We welcome everyone who chooses to participate in living our “Platform.” Those who actively practice our “Universal Principle” embodied within our “Foundational Beliefs,” and to the best of their abilities, live the “faith” we share as a way of life, not just a statement made when convenient or appropriate. When we come together, our goal is not to impose personal faith or judge honest individual differences. Instead, we strive to unite through our love for God and to live in truth, peace, and love for all humankind and
all of God’s creation.

      Our UCCA Platform

In today’s 21st-century world, especially within the Unitarian Christian Community, there is a pressing need for a church to pioneer a new, welcoming way for individuals to explore their personal spiritual needs and desires. It’s about creating a path filled with
fresh nourishment for those who hunger and thirst for a genuine relationship with God, leading us toward unity, peace, and compassion for all. The traditional teachings and methods of Christian churches and other faiths are being abandoned, creating a shared desire for a new approach to meet our spiritual needs. This led to the founding of the Unitarian Christian Church of America (UCCA). Below are the core articles that underpin our Unitarian Christian beliefs. We are a new church rooted in the teachings of our Unitarian ancestors and the early followers of Jesus, but now revitalized and adapted for the 21st century. These insights are shaped by recent and extensive research and scholarly work. The Founding Platform of UCCA consists of three interconnected Articles. It is hoped that these Articles will serve as the foundation for teaching and practicing our Unitarian Christian faith. These Articles of Faith are presented not as universally applicable doctrines or dogmatic theology, but rather as key points and themes from which detailed
teachings, sermons, discussions, and other communications can be developed to meet the personal spiritual needs of those seeking a better way. The UCCA views this offering as a platform that our 21st-century Unitarian Christian Church can use as a solid foundation to build upon and to welcome “all who will” to join this faith initiative.

 

ARTICLE 1: THE STATEMENT OF PURPOSE FOR THE UCCA

The purpose of UCCA is to build a welcoming community and provide support for everyone who follows Jesus' ; teachings and strives to live by his example, as they understand it in their own way. It aims to be a shared space for those who wish to become modern-day Unitarian Christians or who feel a connection to our teachings and community. The UCCA is open and welcoming to all who come in peace. We warmly welcome everyone who chooses to share these Foundational Beliefs and actively participate in and cooperate with us to live by our Universal Principle. Our heartfelt purpose isn't to dictate what personal faith should be or to judge honest personal and individual differences. Instead, our true goal is to come together in the love of One God, as a united fellowship, living in truth, peace, and love for all humankind and all creation.

ARTICLE 2: THE UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLE OF THE UCCA
The UCCA holds that among the teachings in the Christian Scriptures, one stands out as fundamental to the Christian faith and is echoed, in different wording, by nearly all other religions. As Christians, we consider this principle central to Jesus'; teachings, and
it is reflected in His life.

In Mark 12:28-34, Jesus says: “Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as
yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.” (29-30) (NRSVUE) Thus, today, the UCCA declares and proclaims: “There is only one God, creator and sustainer of all existence, giver of life to all that lives. As God’s creation, we are to love
and honor our God with every ounce of our being. When we behave in a way that aligns with that belief, it is demonstrated by the unconditional love we have for, and the compassion we show to, all humankind and all creation."; When we live our lives in harmony with this proclamation, we will have fulfilled all the teachings of righteousness and will be living in the “Kingdom of God.” Furthermore, we believe that this will lead to greater peace and serenity in our individual lives, and when many do the same, it can bring peace on earth.

ARTICLE 3: THE FOUNDATIONAL BELIEFS OF THE UCCA
Anything built to last requires a strong and dependable foundation. That's why the UCCA has carefully developed its “Foundational Beliefs,” which form the structure of what we stand for. Alongside our “Statement of Purpose” and our “Universal Principle,”
these Foundational Beliefs create the “Platform” that supports our faith. We share these Foundational Beliefs here as an open invitation for everyone to explore and connect with our message of unity, peace, and unconditional compassion for all people, as well
as our deep care for all of creation. We see these beliefs not as rigid rules, dogma, a creed, or doctrines imposed by authorities, but as an initial point of reference and an invitation for collective engagement. Indeed, they serve as a “Foundation” upon which a
life pleasing to our Creator and supportive for all humankind can be built. While we realize not everyone will agree with every statement or share the same level of enthusiasm and commitment to each of our Beliefs, we strongly believe that our Beliefs
and our Platform as a whole provide a meaningful foundation for new beginnings and serve as a solid basis for our faith and its followers to bless the lives of many and the world we live in.

Our First Belief: We believe in the reality of one God, a single entity transcending finite definitions and devoid of material embodiment; the Creator and sustainer of all existence, eternal beyond the confines of time and infinite beyond the realm of being.

Our Second Belief: We believe in the teachings and example of Jesus as presented in the Bible and other writings. Therefore, we encourage others to allow the lessons derived from Jesus'; life and teachings to resonate with them personally, free from
concern over judgment or pressures to conform from external sources.

 

Our Third Belief: We believe that inspiration, truths, and guidance for our lives can be found within the teachings of the Bible when they are chosen and applied thoughtfully and intelligently. Additionally, we believe that individuals may also seek inspiration and
enlightenment from other texts, both ancient and modern.

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Our Fourth Belief: We believe that humans naturally seek spiritual and physical fellowship with others. This gathering, often called a “Church,” “Synagogue,” or “Temple,” provides a space for individuals who value religious and spiritual teachings to
come together, learn, and grow in their faith. It should be a place where our personal beliefs and understandings are both tested and reinforced, allowing us to share our common beliefs and exchange personal insights.

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Our Fifth Belief: We believe in and uphold the principle of "free will” for all humanity, asserting that each individual should be empowered to develop their personal beliefs and relationship with God according to their own perception. We are all members of the
Family of God—free in spirit but united in responsibility—under one God for the love of all creation, and dedicated to our faith and its service to all humankind.

Our Sixth Belief: We believe that each person has the right to choose how they relate to God, Jesus, Scripture, and Church. Our goal is not to impose, but to support; not to force a path on anyone, but to walk alongside them on their spiritual journey so that no
one has to travel life's pathway alone.

Our Seventh Belief: We believe in a church that encourages open fellowship, communion, and gatherings. We welcome everyone who comes in peace. However, while we promote an open, welcoming, and compassionate attitude toward all, we remain dedicated to teaching and demonstrating our Unitarian Christian faith.

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Our Eighth Belief: We believe that each Church and Fellowship, as autonomous entities, has the right to choose their own “Rituals of the Church” and forms of worship. However, this independence should be exercised with the understanding that these practices are meant to be expressions of faith or knowledge by individuals or the assembly, rather than as tests or requirements for membership or participation, nor as a
way to exercise authority or control.

Our Ninth Belief: We believe that the modern Unitarian Christian perspective often omits teachings such as repentance, salvation, grace, redemption, heaven, hell, justification, sanctification, and the afterlife. These concepts are frequently employed to judge, condemn, divide, and exert control over others. However, we acknowledge that
they can hold significant philosophical and spiritual importance for many members of the community. Therefore, we do not oppose individuals or groups engaging in the exploration of these or other concepts for personal growth, provided they do not
transform these pursuits into prerequisites for fellowship or impose these beliefs upon others.

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Our Tenth Belief: We believe that we must be a creedless faith, yet a faith founded on specific beliefs. We are “creedless” because the UCCA does not require members to pledge allegiance to our church or follow a rigid set of beliefs. We welcome everyone
who comes in peace and considers themselves in harmony with our “Platform” and open to our teachings. It’s not essential to agree on every point of faith; what matters is that we don’t have to believe alone or walk life's path by ourselves. Most importantly, we
believe our faith will grow stronger when we are united in love, mutual respect, and a shared mission.

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INVITATION:   

We warmly welcome everyone interested in the UCCA Platform and its teachings. Join us in fellowship and be part of this shared journey. It’s okay if you don't agree on every aspect of faith; what matters is exploring the questions in your heart about our beliefs
and how they can influence your life. We focus on providing guidance on a “way of living,” rather than dictating what to believe. Our aim is to foster unity amid divisions and offer a welcoming hand of fellowship, rather than a fist of defiance or anger. We look forward to having you with us as we learn how to live the love of God together.