Social Justice
The UUFA embodies a strong committment to social justice as demonstrated by our congregation's involvement in local, regional, national, and international social justice programs and organizations. The UUFA's leadership committees and working groups are intentionally organized into clusters, one of which, the Social Responsibility Cluster, coordinates the Fellowship's social justice activities. The UUFA is a Welcoming Congregation and we actively seek ways of living more fully in accord with our religious beliefs and values.
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames, Iowa (UUFA) maintains several vigorous programs, activities, and liaisons that support commitments to living the Seven Principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote:
- 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.
Unitarian Universalism (UU) 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.
Although these principles and sources of faith are the backbone of our religious community, Unitarian Univeralists are united by shared values, not creed or dogma.