covenant

As Unitarian Universalists, we are held together not by shared beliefs in all things, but by the covenants we make with one another, and with the sacred and holy in life.  Like our religious ancestors, we share a covenant – an agreement or promise - about how we will live with one another in community and work for justice, equity, and compassion. 

we Affirm and promote these 7 Principles of Unitarian Universalism

Principle 1:  The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
Principle 2:  Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
Principle 3:  Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth;
Principle 4:  A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
Principle 5:  The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregation and society at large;    
Principle 6:  The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
Principle 7:  Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

On October 6, 2019, our congregation adopted the 8th Principle:

Principle 8: We, the congregation of Third Unitarian Church, covenant to affirm and promote our journey toward spiritual wholeness by cultivating a diverse, multicultural and multiracial Beloved Community through deliberate actions that dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.

Chalice     

The chalice is the symbol of our living tradition.  We kindle a flaming chalice at the beginning of most gatherings and worship services to remind us of the warmth of community, and the fire of commitment. 

Hans Deutsch, an Austrian artist, first brought together the chalice and the flame as a Unitarian symbol during his work with the Unitarian Service Committee during World War II.   Deutsch's drawing of a flaming chalice was made into a seal, which agents used to help people escape Nazi persecution.  To Deutsch, the image represented sacrifice and love in our ongoing work for justice and compassion.