DENOMINATION URGES UNIVERSAL ACCEPTANCE.Byline: Holly Edwards Staff Writer SANTA CLARITA Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, - People of all faiths are welcome to join the first Unitarian Universalist congregation in the Santa Clarita Valley The Santa Clarita Valley is the valley of the Santa Clara River in Southern California. It stretches through Los Angeles County and Ventura County. Its main population center is the city of Santa Clarita. The valley was part of the 48,612-acre (19,672. . Based on the principle that everyone should have the freedom to develop a personal view of God without fear of condemnation, Unitarian Universalism Unitarian Universalism n. A religious association of Christian origin that has no official creed and that considers God to be unipersonal, salvation to be granted to the entire human race, and reason and conscience to be the criteria for belief and is one of the most inclusive denominations in existence, said Rick Hamlet, one of the founders of the Santa Clarita Valley congregation. ``We believe in being tolerant of people's beliefs and religions,'' Hamlet said. ``The span of people goes all the way from Christians and Jews to agnostics and atheists.'' Since the congregation began forming about six months ago, more than 30 local residents have gotten involved in the effort, Hamlet said, adding that most are families with children. ``Most of us have been living here many years and had nowhere to go,'' he said. ``Some of us have attended churches in other areas, but the last thing many people want to do on Sunday is drive somewhere.'' Unitarian Universalism is a ``creedless religion,'' he said, and encourages personal choice and freedom of ideas. Congregation members can wear whatever is comfortable for them to church and are free to reject or embrace any religious idea, as long as it adheres to basic principles of faith, Hamlet said. ``We believe the worth of a person's life is more in the deeds they do than in the rituals they perform,'' Hamlet said. ``Part of that belief is that the congregation directs what direction they go, and we're trying to create a congregation that spans the entire range of beliefs.'' While Unitarianism and Universalism Universalism Belief in the salvation of all souls. Arising as early as the time of Origen and at various points in Christian history, the concept became an organized movement in North America in the mid-18th century. have been around since the 1500s, they did not merge until 1961, he said. Famous members of each denomination include Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Paul Revere Revere, city (1990 pop. 42,786), Suffolk co., E Mass., a residential suburb of Boston, on Massachusetts Bay; settled c.1630, set off from Chelsea and named for Paul Revere 1871, inc. as a city 1914. , Charles Dickens, Beatrix Potter, Clara Barton Clarissa Harlowe Barton (December 25, 1821 – April 12, 1912), better known as Clara Barton, was a pioneer American teacher, nurse, and humanitarian. She has been described as having had an "indomitable spirit" and is best remembered for organizing the American , Charles Darwin and Florence Nightingale, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. a Web site created by the Unitarian Universalists of the Santa Clarita Valley. The group meets every third Sunday at 5:30 p.m. at Temple Beth Ami, 23023 Hilse Lane in Newhall. The next meeting is scheduled Dec. 17. People interested in more information about the local Unitarian Universalist movement may call (661) 254-7866 or visit the Web site www.UUofSCV. org. |
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