Board of Trustees Notebook

Foothills Mission Statement

Approved October 16, 2016

Foothills Unitarian Church unleashes courageous love in Northern Colorado and beyond. We do this by embracing our diversity, growing our faith, and awakening our spirits to the unfolding meaning of this life.

Congregational Governance Documents

Bylaws

Policies

Financial Oversight

Tax Exempt Status Documentation

History and Foundations

Other

  • Expectations of a Trustee
  • Governance and Ministry Book (Coming Soon)
  • Other (Coming Soon)

Foundational Elements of Unitarian Universalism

Our Unitarian Universalist Principles

1st Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person;

2nd Principle: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;

3rd Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;

4th Principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;

5th Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;

6th Principle: The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;

7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

Sources of Our Living Tradition

Unitarian Universalism’s Six Sources of Inspiration and Spiritual Growth

Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote seven Principles, which 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 science, poetry, scripture, and personal experience. These are the six sources our congregations affirm and promote:

    • 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 women and men 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.

Five Practices of a Meaningful Membership

Ours is a free faith – which means each opportunity is yours to choose. At the same time, the full blessing of our faith and our community become more possible and available when you engage more fully with the ministries of our church. As a result, we invite you to our 5 Practices of a Meaningful Membership. These practices are an invitation to a path of membership that transforms and liberates both yourself and our world

  • Worship Liberally: Gather regularly with our full community to celebrate the spirit of life, to grieve our struggles, to hear a call to a greater love and to gain the strength to act in partnership.
  • Connect in Community: Build relationships with others both at your same stage of life, as well as across the generations, through social connections and small groups; and give and receive care during life’s transitions.
  • Grow in Spirit: Commit to a lifelong practice of spiritual growth through participation in our lifespan religious exploration classes and small groups.
  • Serve in Partnership: Serve both within and beyond the congregation with others who share our values – prioritizing relationship and the model of servant leadership, transforming our world as we transform ourselves.
  • Give in Gratitude: Practice generosity in recognition of the ways all life is a gift; make a generous pledge to our church as well as a generous offering to our Share the Plate offering, share your time and a willing spirit, all so that together we may further the reach of love.

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