UNITARIANS DEPEND ON SOLO SOUL SEARCH; NORTH HILLS GROUP COMMITTED TO JUSTICE.Byline: Holly J. Andres Daily News Staff Writer It's not easy being a Unitarian. Or so says Lucy Cox, president of the Sepulveda Unitarian-Universalist Society, explaining her long commitment to the liberal religious denomination For other senses of this word, see denomination. A religious denomination (also simply denomination) is a subgroup within a religion that operates under a common name, tradition, and identity. . ``We're responsible ourselves to search for truth and meaning,'' Cox said. Coming from different religious backgrounds, Cox and her husband looked for a church where they could each be comfortable after their marriage. Taking a chance on a Unitarian church, they found an atmosphere that was less formal than their experiences at other churches. ``It felt free, that first meeting we went to. I think many people are disillusioned dis·il·lu·sion tr.v. dis·il·lu·sioned, dis·il·lu·sion·ing, dis·il·lu·sions To free or deprive of illusion. n. 1. The act of disenchanting. 2. The condition or fact of being disenchanted. by their first formal religious identification. The Unitarian-Universalist church can encompass all different faiths,'' said Cox, a 20-year member of the church whose unique onion-shaped architecture is a landmark in North Hills. Though the church sounds decidedly modern - its World Wide Web site ``encourages open dialogue on questions of faith'' and ``thinks globally and acts locally'' - the genesis of Unitarianism is in the Reformation of the 16th century. At that time, European theologians were questioning the Roman Catholic doctrine of the Trinity. Denying the Trinity and believing that God exists in one person only is one of the defining tenets that sets Unitarians apart from other denominations. Coming from England, Unitarianism took root in America in the mid-1700s. Many New England New England, name applied to the region comprising six states of the NE United States—Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The region is thought to have been so named by Capt. churches adopted Unitarian ideas during the late 1700s. Similar ideas were being expressed in the Universalist church. The Universalist church, whose members believe in universal salvation, organized in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. in 1793. Famous early Unitarians and Universalists include President Adams, 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 , Oliver Wendell Holmes, Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Susan B. Anthony. The Unitarian and Universalist churches separately encouraged congregational independence and humanitarian involvement. Holding these and other views in common, the two groups merged in 1961 to become the Unitarian Universalist Association Unitarian Universalist Association, Protestant church in the United States formed in 1961 by the merger of the American Unitarian Association (see Unitarianism) and the Universalist Church of America. . Unitarian Universalists believe that ``personal experiences, conscience and reason are the final authorities in religion.'' The UUA UUA Unitarian Universalist Association (Boston, MA) UUA Urgent (pilot report message type) UUA Bugulma (Russia) UUA Unisys User Association UUA Univac Users Association does not require its ministers or members to subscribe to Verb 1. subscribe to - receive or obtain regularly; "We take the Times every day" subscribe, take buy, purchase - obtain by purchase; acquire by means of a financial transaction; "The family purchased a new car"; "The conglomerate acquired a new company"; particular religious beliefs. ``We have no creeds. We are a noncreedal religion. Our churches have the freedom to do things differently from each other,'' said the Rev. James Bodman, who leads services twice a month at the North Hills church. ``The church appeals particularly to the intellectual and to those who feel strongly about social action.'' Members do affirm seven principles set forth by the UUA. The principles include ``a free and responsible search for truth and meaning,'' ``justice, equity and compassion in human relations'' and ``the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all,'' Bodman said. ``UUA ministers don't tell people what to think. We try to provoke thought on the issues of today. We challenge our congregations to think,'' he said. Ceil Sorensen, a member of the social concerns committee at the North Hills, likes the openness of her church. ``I believe that it's a living
It has not been an easy path for members of the North Hills church over the years. Surviving name and location changes since its inception in the early 1940s, the church has a colorful history of social activism. Reflecting the issues of each decade, members dealt with a church loyalty oath An oath that declares an individual's allegiance to the government and its institutions and disclaims support of ideologies or associations that oppose or threaten the government. in the '50s, exploration of interpersonal relationships and the Vietnam War Vietnam War, conflict in Southeast Asia, primarily fought in South Vietnam between government forces aided by the United States and guerrilla forces aided by North Vietnam. in the '60s, consciousness-raising and post-Vietnam War healing in the '70s, and Central American Central America A region of southern North America extending from the southern border of Mexico to the northern border of Colombia. It separates the Caribbean Sea from the Pacific Ocean and is linked to South America by the Isthmus of Panama. struggles and banning nuclear weapons in the '80s. This Sunday, the church will welcome Madeline Rios of the Guatemalan Education Action Project as a guest speaker discussing how Hurricane Mitch has affected the economy of that region. ``The service on Sunday will allow us another opportunity to learn about the needs of others who don't often have a voice,'' said Sorensen, who will be the moderator of the program. Sunday service with guest speaker Madeline Rios, 10:45 a.m., Sepulveda Unitarian-Universalist Society, 9550 Haskell Ave., North Hills. (818) 894-9251. CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO Unitarian-Universalist leaders Lucy Cox, left, Louise Pellino, Ceil Sorensen and the Rev. James Bodman stand outside the church. Gus Ruelas/Daily News |
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