The covenant of the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, as adopted in 1985 and modified in 1995.
The living tradition which we share draws from many sources:
Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision. As free congregations we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust and support.
The Unitarian Universalist Association shall devote its resources to and exercise its corporate powers for religious, educational and humanitarian purposes. The primary purpose of the Association is to serve the needs of its member congregations, organize new congregations, extend and strengthen Unitarian Universalist institutions and implement its principles.
The Association declares and affirms its special responsibility, and that of its member societies and organizations, to promote the full participation of persons in all of its and their activities and in the full range of human endeavor without regard to race, color, sex, disability, affectional or sexual orientation, age, or national origin and without requiring adherence to any particular interpretation of religion or to any particular religious belief or creed.
Nothing herein shall be deemed to infringe upon the individual freedom of belief which is inherent in the Universalist and Unitarian heritages or to conflict with any statement of purpose, covenant, or bond of union used by any society unless such is used as a creedal test.
The Principles and Purposes are part of the governing bylaws of the Unitarian Universalist Association and function as the covenant of its member congregations. The original Principles and Purposes, adopted at the consolidation of the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America in 1961, were revised in 1985 and amended in 1995. In April 2006, the UUA Board of Trustees and the Commission on Appraisal announced that the commission would begin a new review, in accordance with another bylaw requirement. see below for links to resources related to this story, including a history of the process that produced the 1985 revision and news coverage of the new review process.
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