Our Congregational Covenant

A covenant is a set of promises we make to guide, strengthen, and deepen our relationships.  We rely on our church covenant to nurture and support our congregational life.

In the spirit of love and in service to our shared commitment to build an intentionally multigenerational, multiracial, multicultural, anti-oppressive religious community, we covenant to:

• Encourage and grow relationships with one another based on mutual understanding and respect;
• Work intentionally to counter oppression and prejudice among ourselves and in the world;
• Listen actively to the needs of others, assume best intentions, and acknowledge differences among us;
• Value and speak our truth, and uphold the truths spoken by others in our common search for meaning;
• Engage in direct conversation when we have conflicts or concerns, and seek equitable solutions;
• Give generously of our spiritual gifts and material resources;
• Offer help when we can and ask for help when we need it.

In caring for each other and ourselves, we intend to live by this covenant to build a beloved community.

— Adopted by congregational vote, March 18, 2012

Our Mission

We, the members of the First Unitarian Church of Oakland, unite to build a beloved community within and beyond our walls. Guided by individual conscience and wisdom from many sources, we gather in worship and service to nourish the spirit, work for justice, and celebrate the divine in all.

— Adopted by the congregation on March 18, 2001

Our Vision

To build a radically inclusive community, to grow the beloved
community by expanding the welcome table and deepening our commitments to countering oppression as an intentional multiracial,
multicultural, multigenerational congregation. Read more about Vision 2012 .

Our Ends Statements

The First Unitarian Church of Oakland embodies beloved community as an intentionally multigenerational, multiracial, multicultural, anti-oppressive Unitarian Universalist religious community.  We work for spiritual and social transformation within, among, and beyond ourselves in support of our vision, mission, and ends.

Transformation Within

Church members and friends discover and articulate personal spiritual growth.  We lead lives of integrity and meaning that reflect our spiritual identity and values.

Transformation Among

People of all ages who are part of our church community experience caring relationships which connect us to an ever wider circle of life. We use our collective gifts and learning to nurture and expand beloved community. We overcome barriers that divide the human family.

Transformation Beyond

Our neighborhood, the city of Oakland, and the world community are more just and compassionate because of our prophetic role and ministries. We generously share our human and financial resources beyond the walls of our church.

Our Principles

We affirm and promote:

• The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
• Justice, equality and compassion in human relations;
• Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
• A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
• The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
• The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all;
• Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

The Living Tradition we share draws from many sources

• Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;
• Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion and the transforming power of love;
• Wisdom from the world’s religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
• Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
• Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.
• 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.

— Adopted as a Bylaw by the 1984, 1985 and 1991 UUA General Assemblies.