Sunday, December 6, 2020

Unitarian Fellowship of Tokyo Summary of November 2020 meeting

 Continuing with our new custom of chalice lighting Naoko gave a prayer.

At the end of our gathering we left time to talk together about the US election and Biden's win.
Main Topic: If there are no Unitarian requirements of dogma or doctrine "what do Unitarians believe and practice." We briefly touched on the history of Unitarians and our fellowship (founded in 1965).
Chuck Olson shared two videos from the Unitarian Universalist Association (in USA) website. We all liked this animated one especially.
Here are the opening points of our UFT Charter (approved 2016):
I. We are the Unitarian Fellowship of Tokyo.
II. In the Unitarian tradition we have no requirements of doctrine or creed. We welcome all English speakers who seek intellectually stimulating presentations (by a broad range of speakers) and interactive discussions on topics about religion, culture, social justice and world peace.
III. We are a small group who share a common search for meaning (or truth) through the free and friendly examination of spiritual, moral and existential aspects of religion, philosophy and cultural traditions. We see ourselves as all on individual paths of inquiry (often including a spiritual search). We stress a commitment to others (and society) whatever our starting point. We encompass a range from secular humanism, Buddhism, to God-centered faith in the traditions of Judaism and Christianity (and of many Unitarians from the 15th century until today). We respect each person who comes to Fellowship and extend hospitality and friendship to all. We encourage civil and constructive engagement at our meetings. We will ask anyone who exhibits disrespectful or dangerous behavior to leave.
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Unitarian Universalist congregations in North America affirm and promote seven Principles, which UFT shares, and we hold as strong values and moral guides. We live out these Principles within a “living tradition” of wisdom and spirituality, drawn from sources as diverse as our Christian and Jewish traditions and scriptures, teachings of other Faiths, as well as science, poetry, and personal experience. (For more information see the website uua.org.)
(from UUA site) As Rev. Barbara Wells ten Hove explains, “The Principles are not dogma or doctrine, but rather a guide for those of us who choose to join and participate in Unitarian Universalist religious communities.”
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.
From UU American friends i hear there is talk to add one more principle to reaffirm the worth and dignity of all people in light of rethinking white supremacy and the movement that Black Lives Matter.
Your moderator, Peggy Kanada

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