The First Unitarian Church in New Bedford

Home to Abolitionists, Heretics, Transcendentalists, & Revolutionaries, since 1708

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WELCOMING EVERYONE

All are welcome to join us. We affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of all people. We believe that everyone has the right and responsibility to find a path to truth and meaning that best suits them, and we recognize that we must be responsible members of the interdependent web of all life. We always seek to stand on the side of love.

ABOUT OUR CHURCH

We help each other live lives of integrity, service and love by offering; thoughtful and engaging worship that combines both head and heart, engaging workshops, interesting book groups, leadership roundtables, social opportunities for learning and sharing, and opportunities to give back to the larger community and to be in service with others.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

We are committed to caring for each other, the city of New Bedford, and our global community. Our worship services are a place for people to come and reflect on their own needs as well as the needs of others. This church is engaged in many social justice projects in the community, and we understand that spirituality must be lived in the world, not just talked about in church on Sunday mornings.

WAY COOL SUNDAY SCHOOL

We work together to provide children and youth with a safe and caring environment. We come here to learn about ourselves and the world around us. As author and educator Parker Palmer said, “to know as we are known.” At First Unitarian Church, we welcome you, whoever you are, as you are, and hope to inspire and encourage you to live a life of integrity, service, and love.

“The Principles are not dogma or doctrine, but rather a guide for those of us who choose to join and participate in Unitarian Universalist religious communities.”

- Rev. Barbara Wells ten Hove

Values & Covenant

This image is of a chalice with an overlay of the word Love over the flame, with six outstretched arms that create a circle around each of the core values and form a six-petal flower shape. Each arm is a different color, and clockwise they are: Interdependence (Orange), Equity (Red), Transformation (Purple), Pluralism (Blue), Generosity (Green), and Justice (Yellow).

INTERDEPENDENCE

We honor the interdependent web of all existence. With reverence for the great web of life and with humility, we acknowledge our place in it.

We covenant to protect Earth and all beings from exploitation. We will create and nurture sustainable relationships of care and respect, mutuality and justice. We will work to repair harm and damaged relationships.

PLURALISM

We celebrate that we are all sacred beings, diverse in culture, experience, and theology.

We covenant to learn from one another in our free and responsible search for truth and meaning. We embrace our differences and commonalities with Love, curiosity, and respect.

JUSTICE

We work to be diverse multicultural Beloved Communities where all thrive.

We covenant to dismantle racism and all forms of systemic oppression.

We support the use of inclusive democratic processes to make decisions within our congregations, our Association, and society at large.

TRANSFORMATION

We adapt to the changing world.

We covenant to collectively transform and grow spiritually and ethically. Openness to change is fundamental to our Unitarian and Universalist heritages, never complete and never perfect.

GENEROSITY

We cultivate a spirit of gratitude and hope.

We covenant to freely and compassionately share our faith, presence, and resources. Our generosity connects us to one another in relationships of interdependence and mutuality.

EQUITY

We declare that every person has the right to flourish with inherent dignity and worthiness.

We covenant to use our time, wisdom, attention, and money to build and sustain fully accessible and inclusive communities.