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What is the UUA?

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The mission of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is to equip congregations for health and vitality, to support and train lay and professional leaders, and to advance Unitarian Universalist values in the world.​ Learn how we are supporting congregations during the COVID 19 pandemic.

The UUA is the central organization for the Unitarian Universalist (UU) religious movement in the United States. The UUA’s 1000+ member congregations are committed to Seven Principles that include the worth of each person, the need for justice and compassion, and the right to choose one’s own beliefs.

Our faith tradition is diverse and inclusive. We grew from the union of two radical Christian groups: the Universalists, who organized in 1793, and the Unitarians, who organized in 1825. They joined to become the UUA in 1961. Across the globe, our legacy reaches back centuries to liberal religious pioneers in England, Poland, and Transylvania.

Each UU congregation is autonomous—congregational leaders set their own priorities and choose their own ministers and staff. Congregations vote for the leaders of the UUA, who oversee the central staff and resources. The UUA supports congregations in their work by training ministerspublishing books and the UU World magazineproviding religious education curriculaoffering shared servicescoordinating social justice activities, and more.

Leadership

The UUA is led by the elected PresidentModerator and Board of Trustees. These leaders are elected every few years by congregational delegates at the annual General Assembly gathering. The President is the chief executive of the UUA and its public spokesperson. The Moderator chairs the business meetings of the General Assembly and meetings of the Board of Trustees. Specialized boards, committees, and advisors also help lead the UUA.

New congregations and groups can join the UUA by following the path to membership. Every congregation is also part of the UUA’s districts and regions. Groups seeking relationship with the UUA can also become covenanting communities or related organizations.

You can read more about the staff and offices of the UUA.

Contact Us

If you know which office or staff person you are trying to reach, please see our staff directory or call (617) 742-2100. For answers to general questions about Unitarian Universalism and the UUA, email info@uua.org or call (617) 742-2100.

The UUA’s headquarters and mailing address is 24 Farnsworth Street, Boston, MA 02210-1409. Please include the name of the UUA office or staff person you are trying to reach.

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