Some Famous UUs:
Here are some Unitarians and Universalists you may already know.
- Martha Turner (First woman religious Minister in the British Commonwealth)
- Tim Berners-Lee (Co-inventor of the WWW)
- Henry David Thoreau (Writer/Philosopher)
- Albert Schweitzer (Doctor)
- Charles Dickens (Author)
- Florence Nightingale (Nurse)
- Alexander Graham Bell (Inventor)
- Herman Melville (Author)
- Frank Lloyd Wright (Architect)
- Thomas Jefferson (US President)
- Samuel Morse (Inventor)
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (Poet)
- Joseph Priestly (Chemist)
- Beatrix Potter (Author)
- Charles Darwin (Scientist)
- Josiah Wedgwood (British potter)
- Linus Pauling (Biochemist)
- P. T. Barnum (Showman and circus founder)
- Katherine Helen Spence (Adeladian, author, stateswoman, and appeared on the Aussie five dollar note)
About the Unitarian and Universalist Melbourne Group
What The UUMG Are:
We are a group of people who occasionally meet to share our own personal search for truth, justice, beauty, meaning and purpose in our lives. We also observe major events -- like births, deaths, marriages, and the changing of the seasons.
We are a group that likes to learn what each other believes and thinks, as well as challenging each other to feel more deeply, and think more critically. We speak as well as listen. We teach as well as learn. We come together as equals.
We encourage each person to explore and discover for their self: What is “right” and “wrong”, what to believe, and what to do with their life in the here and now.
We welcome people of all faiths, races, ethnicities, and gender identities… and have been at the very forefront of minority rights movements.
We tend to be progressive, educated, well-travelled, adventurous and confident people -- but we don't expect it of others. We also tend to have been members of other UU congregations elsewhere in the world.
We formed in November 2011 to fill a void that we felt existed in Melbourne.
We are volunteer run, and have no paid employees.
We will be seeking registration with the Victorian government as a not-for-profit association.
We are seeking endorsement by ANZUUA (the Australian and New Zealand Unitarian Universalist Association) and UUA (the Unitarian Universalist Association).
What The UUMG Are Not:
We are not a “mainstream” church. Unitarianism and Universalism do not tell you what to believe, or not to believe. We do not tell you what to do, or to avoid doing. We do not hold as sacred any particular event, scripture, or being -- although individuals may do.
We are not a “cult”. There are no outstanding founders, personalities or leaders. The UU tradition has always been the result of many people, working together as equals. Members do not make large donations, change residence, or withdraw from their friends or family.
We are not a business. We do not sell seminars, magic cures or secrets to life.
We are not a new religion. Although UU-ism has evolved greatly, and is very contemporary, the Unitarian and Universalist faiths were originally Christian denominations. Some of the famous Unitarians (in the left column) are from hundreds of years ago.
We are not any of these churches. Uniting, Unification (Moonies), or Unarian (Raelian).
We are not a part of the Melbourne Unitarian Peace Memorial Church. We are separate from that organisation, and have different purposes and activities from theirs.
About the Unitaran Universalist tradition
(Extracted from the UUA website.)
Some history of UU-ism:
Unitarian Universalism was formed from the consolidation of two
different religions: Unitarianism and Universalism. Both began in
Europe hundreds of years ago. Both religions have long histories and
have contributed important theological concepts that remain central to
Unitarian Universalism. Originally, all Unitarians were Christians who
didn't believe in the Holy Trinity of God (Father, Son, and Holy
Ghost), but in the unity, or single aspect, of God. Later, Unitarian
beliefs stressed the importance of rational thinking, a direct
relationship with God, and the humanity of Jesus. Universalism emerged
as a Christian denomination with a central belief in universal
salvation; that is, that all people will eventually be reconciled with
God.
UU-ism 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 inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
- Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as 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.
About the flaming chalice symbol
The symbol of the UU faith is a flame within a
chalice (a cup with a stem and foot). "At the opening of Unitarian
Universalist worship services, many congregations light a flame inside
a chalice. This flaming chalice has become a well-known symbol of our
denomination. It unites our members in worship and symbolizes the
spirit of our work." —Dan Hotchkiss.
The lighting and extinguishing of the chalice is usually accompanied by
a brief reading. There are a variety of such readings, and many
congregations use readings of their own creation.
Hans Deutsch, an Austrian artist, first brought together the chalice
and the flame as a Unitarian symbol during his work with the Unitarian
Service Committee during World War II. To Deutsch, the image had
connotations of sacrifice and love. Unitarian Universalists today have
many different interpretations of the image. Modern chalice designs
often incorporate two overlapping circles which, for many people,
represent our Unitarian and Universalist heritages. Other images
include additional elements, some of which are merely decorative and
others which are very meaningful.