The Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS) is an organization dedicated to networking Pagan-identified Unitarian Universalists (UUs), educating people about Paganism, promoting interfaith dialogue, developing Pagan liturgies and theologies, and supporting Pagan-identified UU religious professionals.
Our Vision Statement is intented to direct the goals of our organization and our purpose. This is the foundation of CUUPS.
Read about the evolution of our organization in CUUPS History. We have gone through several changes over the years and this has led to our recent incorporation.
How Can I Join CUUPS?
Any person may join CUUPS at anytime. To find out more visit our membership section of this site..
Continental Activities of CUUPS
CUUPS sponsors events at the annual UUA General Assembly to educate UUs about UU-Paganism. The CUUPS Annual Meeting occurs concurrently with the UUA General Assembly. The CUUPS annual Convocation offers speakers, workshops, rituals, camping and other activities.
CUUPS committees work on areas of interest to members, for example, Religious Education. CUUPS supports networking for UU Pagans through CUUPS-L, an electronic mailing list. For more information contact CUUPS via e-mail.
Local Chapter Activities
CUUPS chapters are connected to existing UU congregations. Chapter activities may include discussion groups, ritual groups, teaching circles, and worship services for UU congregations. Chapters are autonomous in deciding their own levels and types of activity. There are currently several dozen officially recognized chapters. Contact CUUPS for a current chapter listing or information on how to start a chapter.
UU Pagan Ministry
Many UU clergy have responded spiritually to nature for a long time. In recent years an increasing number of UU ministers have identified themselves as Pagan or Earth-centered in their spirituality. This is part of a recent general increase in spiritual interests among UUs.
Paganism in the UUA
One of the sources of Unitarian Universalism is "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."
For some UUs this means a Pagan spirituality. For other UUs it means a Humanist, Native American, or other nature honoring spirituality.
UUs are dedicated to the right of conscience, the personal search for spiritual truth and freedom from dogmatism. UUs are also dedicated to "Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part." Many UUs understand Paganism within this context while not accepting Paganism as their personal spiritual truth.
Still, opinions vary on the inclusion of a Pagan theology within the UUA. Individual congregations can be supportive or skeptical. Most congregations are tolerant, and many are even accepting, of Paganism as a spiritual expression within Unitarian Universalism.
