If you ask a Unitarian Universalist this question, you are likely to get a wry smile. As a non-creedal church, you could ask the question of ten of our members and get ten different answers. We consider this a strength. We value a community that contains others who, like us, are searching for truths that have meaning for them. We have no requirements or even expectations that those truths will be the same for all of us, but we find that sharing and dialogue help us to find focus. Our churches are "congregational" in that each congregation is autonomous. Ministers must be ordained by a particular congregation and each church searches for, "calls" and "installs" its own minister. The Unitarian Universalist Association is a service organization that helps with ministerial searches and many other aspects of church operation.

As members of a "liberal religion," Unitarian Universalists share concerns about the welfare of our fellow humans, the continued health of our planet and other global, national and local problems. A glance at our history shows that we have acted on our concerns. We claim five US Presidents and many individuals who have made significant contributions to the quality of life and the safeguarding of civil liberties in our nation. A small denomination, we've had a large impact on society.

We have seven principles that were approved by our delegate assembly over a period of years but, while they enjoy widespread support, they don't define us, and several of them would be enthusiastically supported by members of other denominations.

• 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

This diversity of belief works for us, but it makes it difficult for a visitor to decide if we're a match. The best way is to pay us a visit, but first you could link to Beliefnet's Belief-o-matic and take a quick and simple test. From a few questions, you will get, in rank order, a list of religions with which you might be in harmony. Numerous church members first came to us when their results had Unitarian Universalist in the top spot.

Unitarian Universalist minister Marilyn Sewell writes about The Theology of Unitarian Universalists.

A recurrent theme in UUA promotional materials is,

Room for Different Beliefs. Yours.

We hope that's enough to pique your interest and we look forward to seeing you soon.