The Eight Principles
A Few Notes on Our Faith
Sources of Our Living Tradition
The Principles and Purposes of our association are a core part of what we value. As Rev. Barbara Wells ten Hove explains, “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.”
As Congregations, we covenant to affirm and promote:
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1st Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
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2nd Principle: Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations;
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3rd Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
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4th Principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
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5th Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
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6th Principle: The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
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7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
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8th Principle: We covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse, multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.
Rev. Kathleen Rolenz said, “Throughout history, we have moved to the rhythms of mystery and wonder, prophecy, wisdom, teachings from ancient and modern sources, and nature herself.” Worshipping in our congregations, you may hear a reading or perspective shared from any one of these sources from which our living tradition is drawn:
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Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;
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Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;
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Wisdom from the world’s religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
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Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
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Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit;
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Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
We hope you will join us for worship and perhaps find your spiritual home here in this beloved community.
The Flaming Chalice: A Symbol of Unitarian Universalism
The Origins of the
Flaming Chalice
Meaning & Practice
The flaming chalice is the enduring symbol of Unitarian Universalism. In most congregations, worship on Sunday mornings begins with the lighting of a chalice—often a candle or lamp held within a wide-lipped vessel. This ritual marks the beginning of sacred time together and serves as a reminder of the community’s shared values and commitments.
Beyond the sanctuary, chalices appear throughout the world in both three-dimensional and artistic forms. Many Unitarian Universalists wear chalice jewelry, display chalice art, or even carry chalice tattoos. For some, it is a way to express identity or invite conversation about their faith; for others, it is a personal reminder to act in alignment with their highest values.
At its simplest, the flaming chalice signifies Unitarian Universalist identity. On a deeper level, it represents the transformation that occurs within religious community and the light of love and justice that members seek to bring into the world. The flame evokes what a beloved hymn calls “The Fire of Commitment,” symbolizing dedication to service and compassion.
The chalice often appears at demonstrations and gatherings for social justice, reflecting the movement’s roots in activism. Within congregational life, the chalice is lit not only in worship but also at meetings, retreats, and other gatherings, reminding participants that all their work contributes to a larger mission.
In worship, the lighting of the chalice marks the transition into sacred space, uniting congregations across time and place. It connects worshippers to the thousands of other Unitarian Universalists lighting chalices around the world, past and present. Readings, reflections, or the recitation of a congregation’s covenant often accompany the lighting, emphasizing the promises that bind communities together across diverse beliefs. The cup of the chalice symbolizes that covenantal embrace—the vessel that holds the community in mutual care.
At the close of worship, many congregations extinguish the chalice while affirming that the light and warmth of community continue to live within each person. The flame is not extinguished but carried forward—a reflection of what Ralph Waldo Emerson described as the “divine spark,” the manifestation of divine possibility within every human soul.
Lighting a chalice during worship is a relatively recent tradition, introduced to Unitarian Universalist congregations in the early 1980s. Yet its origins trace back to World War II and the courageous work of the Unitarian Service Committee (USC), which aided Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution.
The flaming chalice design was created by artist Hans Deutsch, himself a refugee, at the request of Rev. Charles Joy, director of the USC. The logo appeared on official documents used to assist refugees, lending them a look of authenticity and safety. Rev. Joy later explained that the design recalled ancient altar lamps and symbolized helpfulness and sacrifice.
The image eventually became the official logo of the American Unitarian Association, and after the 1961 merger of Unitarianism and Universalism, two overlapping circles were added to represent the union of the two faiths. Many versions featured an off-centered chalice, inspired by a Universalist symbol depicting an open circle and small cross—an emblem of openness to new ideas and spiritual growth.
The transformation of the two-dimensional image into a physical chalice used in worship appears to have begun in children’s religious education programs in the late 1970s. Children were encouraged to craft chalices as part of their learning, and over time, some of these creations evolved into vessels that could hold a flame. The first recorded instances of chalices being lit in congregational worship occurred during services led by children and youth—a joyful example of how a simple church craft inspired a denomination-wide tradition.
The flaming chalice has no single, fixed meaning—a quality that reflects the open, pluralistic nature of Unitarian Universalism. The tradition emphasizes orthopraxy—right action—over orthodoxy—right belief. The chalice thus stands as a symbol of faith expressed through deeds of justice, compassion, and love.
Born from acts of courage and sustained by community creativity, the flaming chalice continues to represent the living spirit of Unitarian Universalism: a faith rooted in freedom, nourished by diversity, and illuminated by the fire of commitment.