Our Church
The First Unitarian Church of Cleveland is a Unitarian Universalist church serving the Greater Cleveland Area. With its history in the Jewish and Christian traditions, Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion -- that is, a religion that keeps an open mind to the religious questions people have struggled with in all times and places. We are a Welcoming Congregation and our church community welcomes and celebrates the presence and participation of people of all sexual orientations.
What do Unitarian Universalists Believe?
We believe in the freedom of religious expression. All individuals should be encouraged to develop their own personal theologies, and to present openly their religious opinions without fear of censure or reprisal.
We believe in the toleration of religious ideas. All religions, in every age and culture, possess not only intrinsic merity, but also potential value for those who have learned the art of listening
We believe in the authority of reason and conscience. The ultimate arbiter in religion is not a church, nor a document, nor an official, but the personal choice and decision of the individual.
We believe in the never ending search for Truth. If the mind and heart are truly free and open, the revelations that appear to the human spirit are infinitely numerous, eternally fruitful, and wondrously exciting.
We believe in the unity of experience. There is no fundamental conflict between faith and knowledge, religion and the world, the sacred and the secular, since they all have their source in the same reality.
We believe in the worth and dignity of each human being. All people on earth have an equal claim to life, liberty, and justice - and no ideal, or philosophy is superior to a single human life.
We believe in the ethical application of religion. Good works are the natural products of a good faith, the evidence of an inner grace that finds contemplation in social and community involvement.
We believe in the motive force of love. The governing principle in human relationships is the principle of love, which always seeks the welfare of others and never seeks to hurt or destroy.
We believe in the necessity of the democratic process. Records are open to scrutiny, elections are open to members, and ideas are open to criticism - so that people might govern themselves.
We believe in the importance of a religious community. The validation of religious experience requires the confirmation of peers, who provide a critical platform along with a network of mutual support.
- David O. Rankin
Board Of Trustees |
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| Term Expires in 2008 | Term Expires in 2009 | Term Expires in 2010 |
| Eve Bendezu | Barbara Bradley | Esther Bockhoff |
| Carrol Gensert | Steve Sanford (Secretary) | Kim Littell |
| Jeff Hummel | Steve Sanford | Ann Millette |
| Wilfred (Fred) Isaacs | Wendy Macklin | Kevin Ortner |
| Tom McKenna (President) | Chuck Segall | |
| Pat Smrdel (Past President) | ||
Nominating Committee |
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| Term Expires in 2008 | Term Expires in 2009 | |
| Helen Gutin | Teri Egan | |
| Don Stimpert | Laurie Holmes | |