Our beliefs in action
While we have no set creed or doctrine, like many UU congregations, we adopt the Seven Principles as part of all we do. Here is how a look at the First Universalist Church of Essex:
FIRST UU PRINCIPLE – THE INHERENT WORTH AND DIGNITY OF EVERY PERSON
Care & Hospitality Committee Outreach
Meals for new moms
Visits to shut-ins
Dinner Circles
Pastoral care by the minister
Choir open to all
Game Nights
Social Justice/Community Outreach
Membership without set creed
SECOND UU PRINCIPLE – JUSTICE, EQUITY, AND COMPASSION IN HUMAN RELATIONS
ECCO community organizing
Open Door Pantry
Meals and food
Grace Center outreach to those who are marginalized
Family Promise for homeless families
P-FLAG support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender
North Shore Peace & Justice Support
THIRD UU PRINCIPLE – ACCEPTANCE OF ONE ANOTHER AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH IN OUR CONGREGATIONS
Adult, youth, children, and toddler religious education
Spiritual Parenting
Music program and choir
Sunday worship and occasional meditation evenings
FOURTH UU PRINCIPLE – A FREE AND RESPONSIBLE SEARCH FOR TRUTH AND MEANING
Sunday service
All education programs, adult to toddler
Special lectures/programs
FIFTH UU PRINCIPLE – THE RIGHT OF CONSCIENCE AND THE USE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS WITHIN OUR CONGREGATIONS AND IN SOCIETY AT LARGE:
Board leadership and open meetings
Annual meetings and voting
Membership without set creed
Open pulpit
SIXTH UU PRINCIPLE – THE GOAL OF THE WORLD COMMUNITY WITH PEACE, LIBERTY, AND JUSTICE FOR ALL:
Coffee sales for farmers
UU Service Committee support
Project support in Africa and Guatemala
North Shore Peace & Justice activities
Witness and lobbying
SEVENTH UU PRINCIPLE – RESPECT FOR THE INTERDEPENDENT WEB OF ALL EXISTENCE OF WHICH WE ARE A PART:
Environmental Committee work
Support for animal shelters
Collective decision-making and membership in the UUA denomination