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Before there were Unitarian Universalists, or a Unitarian Universalist Association (the UUA), there were two separate faiths. Listen and learn about the process the two denominations undertook in the move towards a merger in 1961.
If you are curious about the merger, and want to learn more, the UUA has a lot of information on it, including an out of print “book” via PDF. Here’s a link to the Google search results for that: https://bit.ly/3pgbZKn
If you like reading textbooks and historical documentaries, I’m including a couple of affiliate links below. Purchasing from these links helps support the channel and the creation of more content like this video.
The Unitarian Universalist Pocket Guide: https://amzn.to/3xqaVIn
A Documentary History of Unitarian Universalism, Vol. 2: https://amzn.to/3sWGLsQ
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Script (this first episode was transcribed by Otter.ai, as the script was rudimentary):
How did the Unitarians and the Universalists join forces to become one faith? Find out more in this episode of Three Minutes in UU History.
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As early as 1931, the Unitarians and Universalists were talking about merging the two denominations, but no. Instead they decided to create an organization encompassing all liberal churches. This effort lasted five years without much success.
In the 1930s, the youth of both organizations gathered together to create a union between the two groups, but the Universalist General Assembly voted against it, and the idea was quashed. But the two groups of young people kept working toward a union, including in 1951, the creation of a joint convention, fast forward to 1954 and the youth groups merged into an organization called Liberal Religious Youth. This effort across time was seen by the larger groups of the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America and had an influence on the decision to retry the merger process once again.
In 1953, the two organizations formed the Council of Liberal Churches, joining in educational and public relations work. The year 1959 saw the publication of the pamphlet “The Case For and Against the Merger”, which presented viewpoints for both sides after General Assembly in 1959. The Joint Commission shortly thereafter, in August 1959, published the plan to consolidate, also known as the blue book. This is where the initial draft of the proposed constitution and bylaws was first presented to the wider denominations, along with the first formal mention of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Oh, by the way, we were almost called the Liberal Church.
In October 1959, the two denominations met to vote on joining, and challenges were seen primarily in the wording of the second principle. Well, it took hours of debate, but eventually, agreement was reached in the early morning hours by changing the word “our” to “the”
To cherish and spread the universal truths taught by OUR/THE great prophets and teachers of humanity in every age and tradition, immemorially summarized in the Judeo-Christian heritage as love to God and love to man.
After this massive change, the official vote count was Unitarians, 518 approved, 43 opposed. Universalists, 238 approved, 33 opposed. In 1960 an affirming vote was held to verify support for the merger, along with a bunch of administrative votes. 1961 is recognized as the first official year of the merger because a board and President were voted in and the first set of social statement resolutions were voted upon. And that is three minutes in Unitarian Universalist history.
Three Minutes in UU History 