The Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville is a liberal religious congregation that has served the greater Asheville area since 1950.

At the Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville we value our ability to pursue our own intellectual and spiritual paths in a faith community in which we support each other. We encourage our members to embrace the Unitarian Universalist principles by which we strive to live in the world.

Since we are free and open in these ways, we sometimes forget to stress that membership in a church brings with it a definite set of responsibilities and expectations.

To be truly healthy, our faith community needs committed members. To be truly involved, individual members need to be committed to our church.

What are the responsibilities of membership?
What can you expect to receive from our congregation?

Responsibilities of Membership

Participate in the Life of the Church
Communal worship is extremely important. Attend services regularly, and come to congregational meetings. Through participation you are knit into the fabric of this fellowship and give life to the reason you decided to become a member.

Work on Your Spiritual Development
We believe that each of us is capable of discovering religious truth as it is revealed to us in our lives and within our church community. We each take responsibility for our own spiritual well being with the support of the church.

Serve the Church
Use your talents and interests to serve the church. We need hands, hearts and minds. That means sharing the work, doing the chores, and joining committees. We cannot succeed in our mission without your involvement.

Pledge at a Stewardship Level
The financial support of our church comes primarily from the generosity of our members. Our congregation pays directly for staff salaries and benefits, building maintenance and renovation, and program expenses. Members are encouraged to pledge using the Fair Share Giving Guide at a Supporter, Sustainer or Visionary level. You are asked to make a written financial commitment, an annual pledge. This is necessary so that the Board of Trustees can develop a responsible financial plan for the coming year and bring it to the congregation for approval.

Serve Others
We commit our faith to action and demonstrate through our service to others what we say with our mouths. The church is actively engaged in a number of social causes however there are many opportunities in each of our lives for outreach to others. Acts of caring are an essential part of belonging to a faith community.

Connect to the Wider Unitarian Universalist Movement
We encourage you to become involved at deeper levels in the Unitarian Universalist movement. As a member you will receive the UU World magazine.

Honor and Celebrate Diversity
Our church community seeks and celebrates diversity, inclusive of all ages, colors, sexual orientations, abilities, and classes.

What You Can Expect From the Congregation

Becoming Part of a Community
When you become a member of our church, you become part of a growing, living institution. Our church community is one of give and take, supporting and nurturing, exploring and growing.

Support and Comfort
At the Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville you can expect a community that, if given the opportunity, will support and comfort you during personal and family transitions and passages. When you are in need, please contact the church office.

Opportunities for Growth
You can expect any number of social, educational, and spiritual outlets and opportunities at the church as ways to broaden friendships and self-understanding. You can expect to be challenged in your theological assumptions, nudged to explore beyond the accepted and everyday religious "sound bites," urged to deepen your spirituality, and to be supported in your search for a meaningful faith.

Religious Education for Children and Youth
If you have children, you can expect an environment and program that will support them in their own questioning and searching. We have an outstanding children's program with high commitment from our adults.

Adult Education
There are ample opportunities (forums and classes) for adults to explore various topics and expand their knowledge.

Tolerance and Acceptance
You can expect to find free-thinking religious liberals who place great value on freedom, reason and tolerance. You should expect to be supported as you practice different spiritual practices within our principles.

A Welcoming Congregation

Our congregation is a Welcoming Congregation for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) persons. The congregation became a Welcoming Congregation in 1999 after a multi-year period of study and reflection by congregation members.