About CUUPS
CUUPs is an organization the like of which has never existed before. To our knowledge it is the only such organization currently in existence. It is the officially-recognized Pagan resource of a non-Pagan religion, Unitarian Universalism. Its status as an Interest Group of the UUA makes a statement that the leadership and members of the Unitarian Universalist Association recognize Pagan paths as a valid expression of spirituality and a legitimate path to religious truth for individuals. It gives Pagan-identified UUs the unique and delightful experience of being able to pursue their individual journeys of, to name just a sampling, Wicca, Shamanism, earth-centered spirituality, Witchcraft, Druidism, Asatru, Native American spirituality, Rasta, Stregheria, Toteg Tribe spirituality, and myriad other singular paths of Pagan belief and thought, without having to deny themselves the benefits and resources of church affiliation.
CUUPS affords worship and educational resources to its members, as well as serving as an interfaith educational resource to host congregations to inform other UUs and other community members about Pagan beliefs and practices. In its nearly 20-year history, it has provided irreplaceable resources to the UUA, including Cakes For the Queen of Heaven, the world's first Goddess Studies course, which celebrates its 20-year anniversary in 2006, and its successor, Rise Up and Call Her Name, a workshop/Adult RE Class on Goddesses of the world. Members of CUUPS can read and utilize many other resources of our organization here.
Even so, 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. It is one of the most important and rewarding missions of CUUPS-Continental and CUUPS Chapters to educate their home congregations and UUA Communities on Pagan beliefs, practices and philosophies, in order to dispel fear and intolerance and further encourage a climate of active acceptance of Pagan paths and practitioners.
So, you might ask, how did this all come about? And what is this Sixth Source people keep referring to? And what does all this have to do with being a Unitarian Universalist, anyway? Well, we have several places you can go to get answers to these questions. There is an essay about the development and history of Paganism as a recognized religious belief of the UUA here. There are answers to some Frequently Asked Questions here. Our History is here. This document was written by former CUUPS member David Burwasser in 1990, and updated by Jerrie Hildebrandt in 1997. It is currently being further updated by our current President, Maureen Duffy-Boose. And if you need information not covered in any of these sources, you can always write to us.
What does CUUPS Do?
In many areas of North America, individual members of CUUPS have joined together to form CUUPS chapters, in association with 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. Our Chapter List gives you information on how to contact officially recognized chapters. People who wish to affiliate with CUUPS in areas where there is no chapter close by may either choose to form a Chapter themselves, or may affiliate as individual members of the CUUPS of the Church of the Larger Fellowship.
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. At this meeting, the Polling Committee is elected to oversee election of officers and ballot initiatives to be presented to the membership. When a Chapter chooses to do so, it may also host a CUUPS Convocation, sometimes in conjunction with other Chapters in its area. Convocation occurs in the Spring or Fall, and is an intensive weekend of workshops, rituals and social activities which deepens and strengthens the bonds between CUUPS members nationwide, and gives an opportunity for discussion of and deliberation on ideas and resolutions that can be carried forward in the ballot process that occurs at General Assembly. Our last Convocation was held in the Spring of 2004 at The Mountain Retreat Center in North Carolina. A statement of Revisioning was adopted at Convocation 2004 which will guide and direct the course of CUUPS Continental activities over the next several years. That statement is here.
How Can I Join CUUPS?
Active membership is $25 a year. This includes voting membership to CUUPS, member publications, access to the members only section of this site, and (after one year) eligibility to run for office on the continental level. You can find more information and an application form on our membership page.
What Do I Do Now?
Take a look at the Site Map to see where you might like to go next. There are several writings and informational pages to let you learn about CUUPS and the value of CUUPS membership. Of course, there is a much larger collection of Resources for members. We hope you will want to join us as a member of CUUPS. Enjoy your tour of our site!
