UU Church - 2002 Fifth Avenue - Scottsbluff, Nebraska UPCOMING SERVICES Welcome to our Church: Prairie Vista Unitarian Universalist Congregation (PVUUC) Located on the corner of 5th Avenue and East 20th Street Scottsbluff, Nebraska  Sunday Service at 10:30 a.m. The Prairie Vista Unitarian Universalist Congregation is a "bright star on the prairie" in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Located on the busy corner of 5th Avenue and East 20th Steet, with parking in the rear of the building, our Congregation welcomes you to be a part of our spiritual experience.  For more information call 308-635-2417. READ OUR NEWSLETTER!!! FLAMING CHALICE OUR SERVICE We begin by the lighting  of the chalice and affirmation of our community: Love is the spirit of this church And service its law. This is our greatest covenant, To dwell together in peace, To seek the truth in love, And to help one another.       UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST PRINCIPLES: We, the member congregation's covenant to affirm and promote: The inherent worth and dignity of every person, Justice, equity and compassion in human relations, Acceptance of one another and encouragement of spiritual growth, A free and responsible search for truth and meaning, The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations And in society at large, The goal of World Community with Peace, Liberty and Justice for ALL, Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. What is the significance of the Flaming Chalice, the symbol of Unitarian Universalism? The flaming chalice is made up of two archetypes—a drinking vessel and fire. It is rich in symbolism as a result. The chalice represents sharing, generosity, sustenance, and love, among other interpretations. The flame symbolizes witness, sacrifice, testing, courage, illumination and more. The origin of the symbol comes from the Unitarian Service Committee. The USC was founded during World War II to assist war refugees who needed to escape Nazi persecution. Artist Hans Deutsch drew the flaming chalice in 1941 so that the USC could have it as a symbol for official documents. The director of the USC, Charles Joy, wrote this about the symbol when it was first drafted: "It represents, as you see, a chalice with a flame, the kind of chalice which the Greeks and Romans put on their alters. The holy oil burning in it is a symbol or helpfulness and sacrifice. . . . This was in the mind of the artist. The fact, however, that it remotely suggests a cross was not in his mind, but to me this also has its merit. We do not limit our work to Christians. Indeed, at the moment, our work is nine-tenths for the Jews, yet we do stem from the Christian tradition, and the cross does symbolize Christianity and its central theme of sacrificial love." Today, the flaming chalice is the official symbol of the UUA. It also functions as the logo for hundreds of congregations. It is also a part of worship in many congregations—services often begin by lighting a chalice while saying some brief reflective words. There is no one official meaning of the flaming chalice. Like our faith, it stands open to new and ongoing interpretation and significance. From the Unitarian Universalist Web Site:  www.uua.org WHO ARE UNITARIANS? You may already be a Unitarian Universalist without realizing it. Many people (including Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, agnostics, atheists, etc.) are active Unitarian Universalists.  We prefer a non-creedal, inclusive, liberal religious home. Most Unitarian Universalists support this covenant: "We believe in the authority of reason and of conscience. The ultimate arbiter in religion is not a church, or a document, or an official, but the personal choice and decision of the individual." Join us on Sunday mornings as we celebrate life. MISSION STATEMENT: Our mission is to provide an intergenerational spiritual community, which fosters personal growth for its members through worship, education, fellowship and social activism (that is consistent with the seven principles of the UUA). (A short history of the Unitarian and Universalist traditions  is available by scrolling down .) (Are any of these comments something you might say?) "I want a religion that respects the differences among people, and affirms each person as a valued individual." I am a searcher... rather than a believer. I want a religious community that affirms spiritual exploration as a way of truth." "I want a church that thinks globally... and acts locally on the issues of our time including: world peace, women's rights, racial justice, homelessness, gay rights, protection of the environment."   "I want a congregation that cherishes freedom and encourages open dialogue on questions of faith. I want to be where it's OK to change my mind." "I want to take my children to a church that is more free of theological dogma. I want them to learn about many ideas and religious points of view." "I want a straightforward, practical, ethical religion which affirms the importance of this life. Giving service is very important to me." "I am trying to consciously live a life that is.... ONE IN LOVE " "My biggest concern is trying to obtain peaceful co-existence. I truly believe that we must have respect for the interdependent web of existence of which we are a part." We hope you will join us. UU NEIGHBORS: *Unitarian Universalist Church of Cheyenne, Wyoming   307-638-4554   www.uucheyenne.org *Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Kearney, Nebraska 308-240-7725 There are many Unitarian Universalist churches in the Midwest, the United States and around the world. Go to the National Website for locations  www.uua.org    UU HISTORY IN A NUTSHELL: UNITARIAN Long ago Unitarians were people who rejected the idea of the "Trinity" and who supported a "one God" concept. In 1615, John Biddle, the founder of English Unitarianism, was born. In 1733, Joseph Priestly, the founder of American Unitarian movements, was born. In 1880, the General Alliance of Unitarian and other Liberal Christian Women, was organized. In 1961, the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of America officially consolidated and organized the Unitarian Universalist Association. Today, there are about 1,000 churches (and fellowships/lifeships). UU stands for Freedom of Religious Expression. Every individual is encouraged to develop his or her own personal theology... And to present openly their opinions without fear of censure or reprisal. The "Church of the Larger Fellowship" provides ministry to isolated religious liberals who are unable to attend a congregation. For More Information, Visit: www.uua.org/clf   UNIVERSALISTS Long ago Universalists rejected the idea of heaven and hell. They thought everyone would receive "universal" salvation. In 1684, Joseph Gatchell was tortured for saying "All men should be saved." By 1785, the first Universalist convention was held in Massachusetts. In 1838,Ralph Waldo Emerson delivered his major address on religious liberalism. In 1863, the ordination of Olympis Brown was likely the first woman to be ordained by any denomination. Today the National Unitarian Universalist Association is located in Boston. http://www.uua.org Association churches/members, organized by districts, get together to discuss various issues and to make resolutions. The majority of UU ministers receive their theological education at the University of Chicago, Starr King School in Berkeley and Harvard University Divinity School. We welcome you to join our spiritual community...... "When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world."  John Muir 2002 5th Avenue Scottsbluff Nebraska 69361 USA For directions to our location, enter your starting point in the form below and click Get Directions . A new window will open displaying a map with directions. Street Address City State Postal Code Country USACANADA