First Parish is a Unitarian Universalist congregation in Portland, Maine. We are a theologically, culturally, and economically diverse congregation, welcoming and affirming all people who seek a religious community while practicing, creating, or discovering a personal spiritual path.
Members and visitors to our congregation identify as lifelong Unitarian Universalists, Christians, Jews, Muslims, agnostics, atheists, Humanists, Buddhists, Pagans, as well as those who continue to seek. We are united by love, a sense of justice, a passion for truth, and service to the greater community. We commit ourselves and our resources to “Nurture the Spirit, Grow in Community and Help Heal the World.”
Our faith grew from the union of two radical Christian traditions: the Universalists, who organized in 1793 and from whom we take our values of faith, hope, and love, and the Unitarians, who organized in 1825 and from whom we take our values of freedom, reason, and tolerance. These two faith traditions consolidated into the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) in 1961.
Our Covenant
Love is the doctrine of this church, the quest for truth is our sacrament, and service is our prayer. This is our great covenant, to dwell together in peace, to seek truth in love, and to help one another to the end that all souls shall grow into harmony with the divine.
Love at the Center
Love is at the center of Unitarian Universalism, inspiring a welcoming, non-creedal, spiritually diverse faith that is intent on playing an active role in healing the world.
In June of 2024, delegates from across the country gathered at the General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) to adopt revisions to Article II of the UUA Bylaws. These revisions transformed the previous Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism into Six Values, each of them circling outward from love, and each including a covenant to act.
Interdependence
We honor the interdependent web of all existence. With reverence for the great web of life and with humility, we acknowledge our place in it.
We covenant to protect Earth and all beings from exploitation. We will create and nurture sustainable relationships of care and respect, mutuality and justice. We will work to repair harm and damaged relationships.
Pluralism
We celebrate that we are all sacred beings, diverse in culture, experience, and theology.
We covenant to learn from one another in our free and responsible search for truth and meaning. We embrace our differences and commonalities with Love, curiosity, and respect.
Justice
We work to be diverse multicultural Beloved Communities where all thrive.
We covenant to dismantle racism and all forms of systemic oppression. We support the use of inclusive democratic processes to make decisions within our congregations, our Association, and society at large.
Transformation
We adapt to the changing world.
We covenant to collectively transform and grow spiritually and ethically. Openness to change is fundamental to our Unitarian and Universalist heritages, never complete and never perfect.
Generosity
We cultivate a spirit of gratitude and hope.
We covenant to freely and compassionately share our faith, presence, and resources. Our generosity connects us to one another in relationships of interdependence and mutuality.
Equity
We declare that every person has the right to flourish with inherent dignity and worthiness.
We covenant to use our time, wisdom, attention, and money to build and sustain fully accessible and inclusive communities.
To learn more about First Parish and how we work, feel free to explore the website, and we hope you’ll join us for worship on Sundays at 10AM.