Statement of Purpose

The Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans is formed for the purposes of enabling networking among Pagan-identified UUs; providing outreach of Unitarian Universalism to the broader Pagan Community; providing educational materials on Paganism for Unitarian Universalist congregations and the general public; promoting Pagan and Jewish/Christian dialogue; encouraging the development of theo/alogical and liturgical materials based on earth and nature centered religios and spiritual perspectives; encourgaging greater use of music, dance, visual arts, poetry, story and creative ritual in Unitarian Universalist worship and celebration; providing support for Pagan-identified UU religious professionals and ministerial students; and fostering healing relationships with out mother the Earth and all her children. (adopted June 24, 1987, at Little Rock, Arkansas)

History

The Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans had its beginnings at the 1985 Unitarian Universalist General Assembly in Atlanta, Georgia. A spontaneous Summer Solstice ritual and subsequent networking led to a commitment to explore the possibility of an ongoing organization. Work over the next two years resulted in the beginnings of a continent-wide mailing list (now numbering over 4000), the first issue of a newsletter, PAGAn NUUS, and the bringing of Margot Adler as a General Assembly speaker to Little Rock, Arkansas in June 1987. At the organizational meeting in Little Rock, the Statement of Purpose was adopted, and the interim steering committee established the year before (including a number of UU ministers and ministry students) was confirmed as the first Board of Directors. In October of the same year, the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans was recognized as an Independent Affiliate organization of the Unitarian Universalist Association by a unanimous vote of the UUA Board of Trustees.

Denominational Significance

The formation of the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans strengthens the religious pluralism that is intrinsic to the entire Unitarian Universalist religious movement by the institutional recognition of Contemporary Paganism, a movement which is gaining increasing currencey both within UU congregations themselves and in the broader communities that they serve -- it is estimated that the Pagan-identified community in North America (in addition to Native Americans) now numbers upwards of 200,000 individuals, many of whom are not affiliated with any "mainstream" religious organization, and who are a potentially vast source of input of membership, talent, and support for the UU Association and its member societies.

What the Future Holds

Contemporary Paganism is one of the fastest growing religious movements in North America. Both as a primary religious community for individuals of virtually all religious backgrounds, and as a focus of special spiritual attention. Comtemporary Paganism is touching many Unitarian Universalists at a very deep level -- not just those on the fringe of our movement, but also a large number of deeply committed UUs with long histories and substantial investment in the UU movement, as well as a not insignificant number of UU young people. Contemporary Paganism is reaching the unchurched and the come-outers across the religious spectrum. It is a grass roots movement, coming largely from the laity (although a significant number of ministers are identifying with it, both privately and publicly). It is a movement in which men are also being given an opportunity to participate -- and to take leadership roles -- in work involving feminist and goddess-oriented spiritual values. And it is the first time since the Inquistion that Pagans are being welcomed into a mainstream religious body. That Pagan-oriented UUs and Jewish and Christian UUs can worship together under the same roof is a tremendous step forward for religioius pluralism, with far-reaching implications not just for Unitarian Universalism, but for the whole of Western religion, and indeed, the future of life on Mother Earth.