of Greater Cumberland
About Unitarian Universalism
Unitarian Universalist congregations are places where people gather to nurture their spirits and put their faith into action by helping to make our communities - and the world - a better place. Unitarian Universalism is a "covenantal" rather than a creedal faith. We hold a diversity of beliefs and support on-going spiritual exploration and growth, but we share a commitment to compassion and service in our relationships with others.
"We're a very pluralistic faith, religiously, and my experience of and relationship to the holy does not need to inform the experience of the relationship of the holy of others in our faith."
- The Reverend William Sinkford, President of the UUA, St .Petersburg Times interview.
About UUFGC:
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Greater Cumberland
Our Mission
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Greater Cumberland comes together to create an open and accepting community to help ourselves and others develop ethical, spiritual and intellectual lives. We foster the necessary and unending search for truth by encouraging, questioning, listening to, and sharing our diverse experiences and perspectives. We take action together to shape a more just world in which all people are respected for their inherent worth and dignity.
Our History
The congregation celebrated our 25th anniversary in 2008. We have been in our current building since 1986. We have grown to about adult 75 members, and about 30 children and youth participate in our religious education program.
Our Minister
Raised Methodist and Presbyterian, Rev. Terry Ellen went on to study meditation in the Sufi tradition and is fascinated by the new insights coming from modern cosmology. Besides serving UU congregations in Wakefield, Massachusetts, Ridgewood, New Jersey and Bethesda, Maryland, he has worked in programs for disadvantaged students, college counseling and pastoral counseling centers, and in insulation and solar installations in Massachusetts. He and his wife, Amy, have three children.
Our Newsletter
To help inform our members and coordinate our efforts we publish a monthly newsletter. Our newsletter can be delivered via email or USPS. To receive a copy email Sandy at sandyeditor@uufgc.org with your preference stated.
To submit articles for our newsletter email print ready articles to Sandy at sandyeditor@uufgc.org . Ron has graciously offered to assist anyone with writing the an article. Rough drafts are to be submitted to Ron at roneditor@uufgc.org.
Update
Please note that the deadline for the October newsletter will be September 27.
Meet the Members:
A new feature is intended for Newsletters during this church year---short bios of individual members. The plan is to have a pair of individuals participate each month, one to be an interviewer and the other to be interviewed. The interview will be the basis of a short "human interest" article that will give us additional ways of connecting with each other. With about 70 members of the congregation, it will take about seven years to get to everyone, so be patient. Names have been selected for the first several pairs. Ron Stanley will be getting in touch if you are on the list. If you are called, please consider participating. If you have suggestions for the types of information you would like to see in this column, please let Ron know at interviews@uufgc.org .
-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.
Cumberland, MD