Many people associate religion with harsh judgment, anti-gay sentiment and homophobia. One religious congregation in Fresno acts within the opposite of these common perceptions. Members celebrate inclusivity, believe in social justice and racial equity, and accept gays, lesbians, all gender identities and sexual preferences. They are proud supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement, proudly display the Progress pride and Non-binary Pride flags on their church campus, and have an openly gay minister, the Rev. Tim Kutzmark.
This church is called the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno (UUCF). With congregations all across the country, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno is part of the national network of Unitarian Universalist congregations and is a religion that is rooted in a history that began centuries ago. The church wanted to keep religion free from orthodoxies and sought to foster an inclusive spirit and liberal religious outlook.
Unitarian Universalists (UU) believe in:
- Freedom of religious expression
- Toleration of religious ideas
- Search for Truth
- Worthiness and dignity of every human being
- Motive force of love
- Necessity of the democratic process
One of the main pillars of the Unitarian Universalist faith is a focus on social justice. Early Unitarian Universalists protested against slavery as early as the 1740s. Famous UU women also led the movement to extend full citizenship to women and secured their right to vote. Other movements that Unitarian Universalists participate in or lead include prison reform, compassionate care of the mentally ill, and the creation of the Red Cross during the American Civil War. The Unitarian Service Committee helped rescue Jews from the Nazis during World War II. They marched with Dr. Martin Luther King in the Civil Rights Movement. Finally, UUs were the first to ordain openly gay, lesbian and transgender ministers. Nowadays, a few of the many issues the UU church advocates for include, immigration reform, ethical eating and sustainable living.
A summary of UU’s values surround the main principle of Love. These values are as follows: Interdependence, Equity, Justice, Generosity, Transformation and Pluralism.
What a member of the Fresno LGBTQ+ community is likely to take away from UUCF, if he or she decides to become a member, is comfort from the fact that it declares that “every person is inherently worthy and has the right to flourish with dignity, love and compassion.” Their mission statement is to: Love Inclusively, Grow Spiritually, Serve Gratefully and Work for Justice.
For more information about the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno, please visit their website at www.uufresno.org.
