What We Believe
from the bylaws of the Unitarian Church of Norfolk
We are a community united in a common search for religious
meaning in our individual lives. Ours is a church free from dogma and creed,
devoted to the use of reason, feeling and compassion in exploring all areas of
religious experience. Ours is a society devoted to this search and obligated to
promote those guarantees which make such a search possible.
We affirm the worth of all human beings. We trust people's ability to build
their own faith. We seek to encourage people to think for themselves. We
recognize that people will differ in their opinions and lifestyles and feel
that these differences generally should be honored for each person is the final
source of authority for his or her own life.
We exist to offer a warm, open supportive community. We want to provide a place
where individuals can meet and find intellectual stimulation and emotional
support through all the stages and difficulties of life.
We seek to act as a moral force in the world, believing that ethical living is
the supreme witness of religion. We are deeply concerned about the effects of
our current action on future generations. We seek to promote one universal
humanity, undivided by arbitrary classifications or superficial traits, with
allegiance to the cause of a united world community.
By recognizing our human shortcomings, we unite in the hope that in working
together we may come closer to realizing these ideals.
How We're Organized
We organize our community democratically. The congregation, by
majority vote, has final authority for running the church, including policies
for operation, the raising and allocation of funds, and the selection of
ministers. The congregation elects officers and a governing board of trustees
to conduct its business.