About Us
As Unitarian Universalists, we are brave, curious, and compassionate thinkers and doers. We are diverse in faith, ethnicity, history and spirituality, but aligned in our desire to make a difference for the good. We have a track record of standing on the side of love, justice, and peace.
We have radical roots and a history as self-motivated spiritual people: we think for ourselves and recognize that life experience influences our beliefs more than anything. In the following pages you can find out about:
Who We Are
At a Unitarian Universalist Society of Schenectady worship service or meeting, you are likely to find members whose positions on faith may be derived from a variety of religious beliefs: Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, naturist, atheist, or agnostic. Members might tell you that they are religious humanists, liberal Christians, or world religionists.
This Unitarian Universalist congregation located in Schenectady, NY has had a presence in this city since 1901. We are a member congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, aka the UUA. We are guided by 7 principles, and the Living Tradition we share draws from many sources. Our congregations and faith communities promote these principles through regular worship, learning and personal growth, shared connection and care, social justice and service, celebration of life’s transitions, and much more.
Our Unitarian Universalist Principles and Sources
UU Principles
We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote:
- The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
- Justice, equity 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.
Sources
The living tradition which 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 people 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.
Our Mission and Vision
The UUSS Mission
Connecting in spiritual community,
we celebrate life with joy
grow in compassion
create justice
Our Vision
The vision of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Schenectady:
- We will boldly live our Unitarian Universalist Principles, within our church and in service to the larger community
- We will nurture mind and spirit through lifelong learning, engagement and growth
- We will create a community that welcomes, embraces and supports all
- We will worship in ways that comfort, inspire and challenge
Our Ministers and Staff
Rev. Wendy Bartel and Rev. Lynn Gardner
Co-Ministers
Read more about our ministers and staff here:
Our Leadership
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees governs the Society, with authority delegated to it by the Congregation. Two or three members of the seven-person Board are elected each year at the congregation’s Annual Meeting in May. The Board meets on the third Monday of each month at 6 PM.
Read more about our leadership here:
Our Congregation
Schenectady Unitarian Universalists have a diverse religious background. Only about 10-15 % of us are lifelong Unitarians. About 60% were once associated with one of the many Protestant groups and about 20% come from a Roman Catholic background. Other members range from Zoroastrian and Greek Orthodox to Quaker, and a bit more than 10% ascribed to no religious group prior to associating with us.
Read more about our congregation here:
We are an LGBTQ Welcoming Congregation
We are a Welcoming Congregation, recognized by the Unitarian Universalist Association. This means we affirm and include people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer at every level of congregational life—in worship, in program, and in social occasions—welcoming them as whole people.
Read more about Our Welcoming Congregation here:
Our Location
The Unitarian Universalist Society of Schenectady (UUSS) is located at 1221 Wendell Avenue in the historic GE Reality Plot, a block away from Union College and centrally located between Schenectady’s downtown and Upper Union Street business districts.