Glossary & Acronyms
Unitarian Univeralist Young Adult Network (UUYAN): A continental network of young adults aged eighteen to thirty-five.
Unitarian Universalism (UUism): A theologically liberal religious belief system characterized by some as a "new religious movement" and by others as a Protestant denomination. Formed by the consolidation of the Unitarian and Universalist denominations in 1961, Unitarian Universalism has ties to and honors many religious practices, as discussed in the Principles and Purposes document which grounds our belief system. Congregations are self-governing with authority and responsibility vested in the membership of the congregation.
Unitarian Universalist (UU): Unitarian Universalists draw inspiration from our faith's two historic roots. Universalism, with its roots in eighteenth century England and America, challenged its members to reach out and embrace people whom society often marginalized, guided by the belief that all were children of God. Unitarianism, which took root in America is the early nineteenth century, believed in one God and supporters were called to work for religious liberty and a rational search for truth and meaning. Both Unitarians and Universalists shared a commitment to create a more just society. Our faith's history and beliefs have a wide range: from liberal Christian views about Jesus to a rich pluralism that includes theist and atheist, agnostic and humanist, pagan, Jew, and Buddhist.
Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA): The association of all member Unitarian Universalist congregations, predominantly located in the United States. It should be noted that the work of the Unitarian Univeralist Association (UUA) staff is not the same as the work of the UUA, given that the UUA is an association of congregations.
Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship (UUBF): The Unitarian Universalist Association affiliate organization of Unitarian Universalist Buddhists.
Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship (UUCF): A community of Unitarian Universalist (UU) Christians, Christian UU ministers, and Christian UU churches.
Unitarian Universalist Historical Society (UUHS): An organization of Unitarian Universalists (UUs) who are interested in UU history; developers of the dictionary of famous UUs and other resources.
Unitarian Universalist Infidels (UUI): A group of Unitarian Universalists supporting non-religious discussion in our faith.
Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association (UUMA): The professional organization for Unitarian Universalist ministers, governed by its membership through an annual meeting preceding General Assembly each year.
Unitarian Universalist Ministers' Partners and Spouses (UUMPS): An informal, inclusive group that provides information and support for non-clergy partners of Unitarian Universalist ministers and ministerial students.
Unitarian Universalist Musician's Network (UUMN): The professional organization for Unitarian Universalist (UU) musicians, whose mission is to advocate for music ministry in UU communities and support those who provide it.
Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC): An associate member organization of the Unitarian Universalist Association which works to promote and protect human rights in the United States and internationally. The UUSC is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office (UU-UNO): An associate organization of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) which serves Unitarian Universalist congregations as the center of information, advocacy, and action at the United Nations (U.N.) and its affiliated agencies in New York City. The UU-UNO holds an annual Intergenerational Spring Seminar.
Unitarian Universalist Washington Office for Advocacy (UUAWO): This office, which deals with legislative issues and advocacy, is part of the Advocacy and Witness staff group.
Unitarian Universalist Women's Federation (UUWF): An associate member organization of the Unitarian Universalist Association which works to advance justice for women through education and advocacy.
Unitarian Universalists for a Just Economic Community (UUJEC): A group of Unitarian Universalists working to solve poverty, homelessness, and other economic problems.
UU (Unitarian Universalist): Unitarian Universalists draw inspiration from our faith's two historic roots. Universalism, with its roots in eighteenth century England and America, challenged its members to reach out and embrace people whom society often marginalized, guided by the belief that all were children of God. Unitarianism, which took root in America is the early nineteenth century, believed in one God and supporters were called to work for religious liberty and a rational search for truth and meaning. Both Unitarians and Universalists shared a commitment to create a more just society. Our faith's history and beliefs have a wide range: from liberal Christian views about Jesus to a rich pluralism that includes theist and atheist, agnostic and humanist, pagan, Jew, and Buddhist.
UU-UNO (Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office): An associate organization of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) which serves Unitarian Universalist congregations as the center of information, advocacy, and action at the United Nations (U.N.) and its affiliated agencies in New York City. The UU-UNO holds an annual Intergenerational Spring Seminar.
UUA (Unitarian Universalist Association): The association of all member Unitarian Universalist congregations, predominantly located in the United States. It should be noted that the work of the Unitarian Univeralist Association (UUA) staff is not the same as the work of the UUA, given that the UUA is an association of congregations.
UUAWO (Unitarian Universalist Washington Office for Advocacy): This office, which deals with legislative issues and advocacy, is part of the Advocacy and Witness staff group.
UUBF (Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship): The Unitarian Universalist Association affiliate organization of Unitarian Universalist Buddhists.
UUCF (Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship): A community of Unitarian Universalist (UU) Christians, Christian UU ministers, and Christian UU churches.
UUHS (Unitarian Universalist Historical Society): An organization of Unitarian Universalists (UUs) who are interested in UU history; developers of the dictionary of famous UUs and other resources.
UUI (Unitarian Universalist Infidels): A group of Unitarian Universalists supporting non-religious discussion in our faith.
UUism (Unitarian Universalism): A theologically liberal religious belief system characterized by some as a "new religious movement" and by others as a Protestant denomination. Formed by the consolidation of the Unitarian and Universalist denominations in 1961, Unitarian Universalism has ties to and honors many religious practices, as discussed in the Principles and Purposes document which grounds our belief system. Congregations are self-governing with authority and responsibility vested in the membership of the congregation.
UUJEC (Unitarian Universalists for a Just Economic Community): A group of Unitarian Universalists working to solve poverty, homelessness, and other economic problems.
UUMA (Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association): The professional organization for Unitarian Universalist ministers, governed by its membership through an annual meeting preceding General Assembly each year.
UUMN (Unitarian Universalist Musician's Network): The professional organization for Unitarian Universalist (UU) musicians, whose mission is to advocate for music ministry in UU communities and support those who provide it.
UUMPS (Unitarian Universalist Ministers' Partners and Spouses): An informal, inclusive group that provides information and support for non-clergy partners of Unitarian Universalist ministers and ministerial students.
UUSC (Unitarian Universalist Service Committee): An associate member organization of the Unitarian Universalist Association which works to promote and protect human rights in the United States and internationally. The UUSC is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
UUWF (Unitarian Universalist Women's Federation): An associate member organization of the Unitarian Universalist Association which works to advance justice for women through education and advocacy.
UUYAN (Unitarian Univeralist Young Adult Network): A continental network of young adults aged eighteen to thirty-five.
Last updated on Friday, April 18, 2008.
