Lesson 1. We see each other

Unitarian Universalist congregations together affirm and promote seven Principles. We also share a “living tradition” of wisdom and spirituality, drawn from many sources. The seven Principles and six Sources of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) grew out of the grassroots of our communities, were affirmed democratically, and are part of who we are.

Principle #1:

We affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person.

Reverence and respect for human nature is at the core of Unitarian Universalist (UU) faith. We believe that all the dimensions of our being carry the potential to do good. We celebrate the gifts of being human: our intelligence and capacity for observation and reason, our senses and ability to appreciate beauty, our creativity, our feelings and emotions. We cherish our bodies as well as our souls… Unitarian Universalists affirm the inherent worth and dignity of each person as a given of faith—an unshakeable conviction calling us to self-respect and respect for others.

—Rev. Dr. Rebecca Ann Parker, minister, theologian, and author

Hymn #123: Spirit of Life, words and music by Carolyn McDade


Here at UUCB (the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Binghamton), that means, among other things, that we are a Welcoming Congregation. We affirm and include people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer at every level of congregational life—in worship, in program, and in social occasions—welcoming them as whole people. Our Rainbow Alliance social group meets regularly at UUCB and is an active participant in the PRIDE community of the Southern Tier.


Try us out

General Assembly (GA) is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). Participants worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. Listen to the Sunday morning service from our gathering in 2016 in Columbus, Ohio.