Pathways to Community: Why Unitarian Universalism?

​This month we are launching a  blog that will have stories and testimonies from Throop members about their journeys to Throop and in Unitarian Universalism.  This first blog post comes from Throop Member and Volunteer Karina Dove. 

By: Karina Dove

Becoming a member of a church is soul-affirming--with our pledge, we're ushered into a sacred community of like-minded people eager to love us. Living by shared covenant, we bond over mutual beliefs, champion core values, and strive towards collective goals. That's not to say, however, that everyone is exactly the same. The circle of Unitarian Universalism is wide enough to hold all our different experiences and perspectives. What inspired you as an individual to choose this path in your spiritual journey?

Some Unitarian Universalists are born into a church. Others began attending to support a loved one, and found their own selves drawn wholly into the circle. Still more wandered into service alone one day, perhaps carried on a serendipitous wind, searching for hope or healing. We each consider carefully which philosophies and faith traditions best meet our spiritual needs, what ideas will guide us as we ponder over the nature of life, love, truth, and justice. If not answers, Unitarian Universalism offers a space that celebrates the questions themselves.

As a liberal religion grounded in principle, Unitarian Universalism is not just spoken about--we live it aloud. Drawing from our lived experiences, bringing into harmony our everyday knowledge and our wildest dreams, we work to make our churches and the greater environments they reside within heart-filled, inclusive places. We know this work will never be done, but in that fact, we rejoice, for it means our circle will never stop expanding to welcome everyone.

Whether you're a lifelong Throoper or a newcomer to spiritual practice, we'd love to learn about what brought you to Unitarian Universalism. Fill out our brief survey here, or email your thoughts to throopsocialmedia@gmail.com. Your personal stories will be showcased in upcoming blog posts that highlight the myriad ways our unique beliefs, practices, and histories weave together, illuminating the colorful and ever-evolving faith community we call home.