About CUUPS
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the "Sixth Source"?
The Principles and Purposes, while not a creed, are guidelines that congregations must be in alignment with in order to become affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations. Until June 1995 it listed five sources of UU faith: Transcendentalism, "Words and deeds of prophetic men and women", "Wisdom of the world's religions", "Jewish and Christian teachings" and Humanism. At the UU General Assembly in Spokane, WA on June 18, 1995, an additional source was added. It reads:
"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."
CUUPS was deeply involved in the six-year campaign required to get this amendment approved. As the less than unanimous vote indicates, this proposal is considered highly controversial in many congregations.
Can UU Ministers be Pagan?
Currently there are several Pagan identified UU Ministers. Their training is intense with theological school backgrounds. Careers for Pagan identified UU-ministers are possible but still limited. This is why the educational efforts of CUUPS and UU Pagans are so vitally important. Career opportunities for Pagan identified UU ministers have improved significantly over the past several years and is expected to continue to improve as we move into the future. Most UU ministers who have encountered and incorporated Earth-centered beliefs and practices have done so since they've entered the ministry.
What is CUUPS, Inc. relationship with local congregations?
In an organization of 220,000+ people you are bound to find the full range of responses on any question, and all the more on Paganism or UU-Pagans. In the association, we are moving from toleration to acceptance. There are still a few congregations that are pretty intolerant. Unlike mainstream churches, these people are generally more concerned about Paganism being "superstitious" rather than it being "wrong". Participating in a church as a Pagan-identified person is key to acceptance and gives the congregation room to learn what Paganism really is.
What are some of the Continental Activities of CUUPS, Inc.?
- Holds a bi-annual Convocation with guest speakers, workshops, rituals, camping and other such fun.
- Puts on events at the annual UU General Assembly to educate ministers and other influential UUs about UU-Paganism. The CUUPS Annual Meeting also occurs at General Assembly.
- Publishes quarterly newsletter.
- Facilitates networking among UU Pagans across North America
- Lots of other things in the works!
What are some of the Local Chapter Activities?
CUUPS, Inc. is organized on a local basis by having chapters that are connected to existing UU congregations. These groups vary from discussion groups to ritual groups to teaching circles to all of the above. As there is no set agenda, this leaves the chapters to decide their own level of activity and type of activity. There are currently over fifty officially recognized chapters and probably about as many groups that have not sought formal recognition.
CUUPS Chapters come from a wide variety of backgrounds and with different expectations of what a group should or can do.
Check out our list of offline and online chapter connections.
