for newcomers
Come as you are
As we say every Sunday morning ...
Whether you have been with this congregation a decade or more or this is your first time visiting,
We welcome you
Whatever the faith traditions of your past,
We welcome you
Whatever your theological stance,
We welcome you
Whoever you are and whomever you love,
We welcome you
Whatever your heritage,
We welcome you
What is Unitarian Universalism?
Unitarian Universalism (UU) is a religion focused on compassionate engagement with each other and the world around us and on spiritual growth. It does not focus on questions of cosmology or the afterlife but rather focuses on our lives today and how we can live by our values on a daily basis. These values are described below. They are the foundation of our beliefs, and serve us in lieu of a creed or dogma.
While Unitarianism and Universalism are both historically Protestant Christian religions, UU is more expansive. The two denominations merged in the mid twentieth century in the United States to form a new and distinct, more open and inclusive, religion that has attracted people of many different faith traditions, theists and non-theists alike, as well as secular humanists.
Unitarian Universalism is a loving religion to which you can bring your whole self: your full identity, your questioning mind, your generous heart, and your desire and commitment to grow. We join together to connect, grow, and be inspired by sacred and secular understandings that help us care for one another and make meaning in a fast-changing world. We are a wisdom seeking religious tradition and uplift all teachings that affirm the inherent worth and dignity of each person.
UU congregations reflect their unique membership. While affirming and promoting the values of Unitarian Universalism, local congregations adopt their own mission statements, select their own ministers, support ministry and programming valued by their membership, and are self-supporting financially.
OUR VALUEs and beliefs
In Unitarian Universalism we believe in the shared values of pluralism, generosity, equity, justice, transformation and interdependence – all centered around love. In addition to our Sunday services and rites of passage and our many traditions and activities, we are bound together by a common commitment to create and sustain a community where we support eachother in our spiritual growth.
The UU Congregation of the Hudson Valley's mission statement challenges us to live authentically and honestly, to build a welcoming community, and to work hard to better this world. All with love at the center of our work.
"Inspired by love, our mission is to seek our true nature, connect deeply and openly, and act for justice."
We're also committed to being with each other in ways that foster our growth as individuals and as a community so we make a promise to each other to listen with respect, accept all voices, seek equitable participation, speak with kindness, assume the best in others, express gratitude, and honor each other's journeys. We agree to support eachother in this sometimes challenging commitment with compassion and with forgiveness for ourselves and others. This promise is known as our covenant.
You can read more about our values and beliefs here.
OUR HOME IN CROTON
As a longstanding institution in Croton-on-Hudson we take special joy in participating in local events and contributing to our local community. Our roots go back to August 1957, when ten members of the White Plains Community Church, together with others from the Croton area, met to establish a Unitarian Fellowship in Croton-on-Hudson.
Initially, services were held at the Croton Community Nursery School. By the fall of 1959, religious education enrollment had grown to such an extent that the Fellowship moved to larger quarters shared with the Bennett Conservatory of Music. In 1961, the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America merged, creating the Unitarian Universalist Association. As a result, on May 3, 1963, our congregation formed the “Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Briarcliff-Croton-Ossining, Incorporated” as a religious corporation dedicated to “further[ing] the principles of Unitarian-Universalism, including individual freedom of religious belief, devotion to truth and the advancement of the brotherhood of all mankind.”
In June 1963, with a mortgage from the Veatch Fund and the North Shore Unitarian Society, Inc. we were able to purchase our present building, built in 1926, a space which served for many years as the Boscobel Methodist Church and briefly as Temple Israel of Northern Westchester. In June 2014, with a congregation now comprised of people from many different towns throughout the region, a new name was adopted to better reflected this and we became the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Hudson Valley.
Learn more about our history and our leadership.
PLANNING YOUR VISIT
Join us in person every Sunday at 10am for our hour-long service followed immediately by a coffee hour featuring refreshments and snacks. Children are encouraged to join their families in the sanctuary and to attend age-appropriate religious exploration. Childcare is also available for the very young.
Learn more about religious exploration and what to expect on Sundays.
Connect with us through our events and programming.
Find out how to get here.
Inspired by love, our mission is to seek our true nature, connect deeply and openly, and act for justice.
