The Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica

Minister's Message

From the Senior Minister

Welcome to a new year of religious exploration within the Unitarian Universalist tradition. Education and faith development are central to our life as a community. I hope that you and your children have experiences that help you grow, learn values to guide you in your life, and make friends with the other members of our church.

Unitarian Universalist is an historic faith tradition. We have our roots in the early congregational churches of New England. As early as 1648, the settlers of the colonies expressed their values in the form of a religious democracy. As diverse views about religion began to flourish within these congregations, the liberal view emerged and evolved into the Unitarian faith.

Universalists came to this country in the 18th century. Their belief in a loving god led them to challenge the prevailing conservative views of Christianity. They believed that all people were worthy of salvation. Their beliefs affirmed the value of inclusiveness—a value we actively practice in our intentionally open and welcoming community.

Today Unitarian Universalism has grown much broader than its early roots in Protestant Christianity. As the banners on our sanctuary wall make clear, our religious perspective includes the wisdom of all the world religions. Our community is religiously pluralistic and diverse. We believe that we do not all need to think alike in order to be a caring, respectful, and vibrant community.

Whatever your religious background—or even if you have never participated in a faith community before—there is room in our church for your family. For generations, Unitarian Universalism has welcomed and guided interfaith families, exiles, and seekers. We are enriched by each others’ faith journeys and our liberal religious values.

Religious education—or, as we say, religious exploration—is fundamental to our way of being a community. We encourage everyone, whether they have children in the program or not, to participate. I hope that you will get involved too!

I also encourage all participants in our church school to become members of our church. We are a religious democracy, which needs active and committed members to be healthy and strong. If you are choosing to give your child the gift of a Unitarian Universalist religious education, your commitment is clear. I hope you will join us.

-- Rev. Judith Meyer
Minister