Unitarian Universalist Congregation (UUC) is a free church in the Unitarian Universalist tradition. As such, we keep our minds open to the religious questions people have struggled with in all times and places. Our worship services are a celebration of life, and of the Spirit of Life that sustains us. We gather together to engage in a shared search for truth and meaning.

We believe that personal experience, conscience and reason should be the final authorities in religion. We seek spiritual insights from all the great teachers of the world’s religions, and put them to the test of our hearts and minds. We uphold the free search for spiritual meaning, while celebrating unfolding truths known to teachers, prophets and sages throughout the ages.

We seek to act as a moral force in the world, believing that ethical living is the supreme witness of religion. We know that our relationships with one another, with other peoples, races and nations should be governed by justice, equity and compassion.

We affirm and promote the full participation of all persons without regard to race, color, gender, gender expression, affectional or sexual orientation, national origin or physical activity in all church sponsored activities.

Learn more about becoming a member of UUC.

UUC is accredited by the UUA as a Welcoming Congregation.  Learn more about Welcoming Congregations.

Our Mission

“The Mission of Unitarian Universalist Congregation is to Inspire. Create. Transform.

Inspire spiritual and ethical growth.

Create compassionate community.

Transform our community and the world through courageous love.”

Our Vision 

“The UUC will be a beacon of liberal religion in the New River Valley.

We will join with other organizations and faiths to work for just causes.

We will practice generosity and radical hospitality. 

We will be known as a place of beauty, welcome, joy, and celebration.”

 

Our Covenant 

“We covenant to create a place of respect and kindness, and to build a spiritual community based on reason and courageous love.

We will listen to one another respectfully, assume good intentions, use the power of our words with care, express gratitude, honor our differences, help one another, and welcome all.

We will communicate directly, honestly, and compassionately. When we hurt one another, we will forgive, make amends, and re-connect.

While we celebrate the words of our Mission Statement, and of this covenant, we affirm that our mission lives through our actions.”

Our History

In 1956, seven families applied to the American Unitarian Association for a charter, seeking a liberal spiritual home. The Fellowship was granted a charter and held early meetings in various halls and churches.

Our first Meeting House was completed in December 1967, followed by an expansion in the early 80s to accommodate our increase in membership. We soon outgrew this space, and in 1992, moved into a new building up the hill from the old one. We continued attracting new members and again found ourselves lacking needed space, and with the purchase of 5 adjacent acres, a large expansion was completed in 2008.

Our beautiful sanctuary hosts many concerts and gets high praise for both the acoustics and the view. On our large property, UUC members established and maintain a wild flower garden, a butterfly garden, a vernal bog, 2 picnic areas with fire pits, and a Memorial Garden and columbarium. EarthSpirit Sisters built a labyrinth for all to walk. Our beautiful grounds have a meditation path winding throughout which includes benches for meditation and reflection representing each of our seven principles.

We began as the Blacksburg Unitarian Fellowship before changing our name to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the New River Valley following the merger of the Unitarians and Universalists in 1961. In 2003, we voted to recognize that we were no longer a Fellowship but a Congregation, and our name was changed to Unitarian Universalist Congregation. After several years of being lay-led or having part-time ministers, we called our first full-time settled minister in 1999, Rev. H. Christine Brownlie, who served until retirement in 2011. Rev. Alex Richardson joined us as interim minister for 2 years. In 2013, Rev. Dara Olandt was called and served for 3 years. Rev. Don Rollins served 1 year as interim minister. As of August 2017, Rev. Pam Philips is serving as our minister. Today we have over 200 members, a thriving Lifespan Faith Development Program, very active Social Action and Social Justice Programs, are a Welcoming Congregation and have been recognized as a Green Sanctuary.