Our History
The Full Story
Our Fellowship began in 1967, when the land was donated to our congregation with one stipulation: the members themselves must take part in constructing the building. Guided by one of our early founders, Bob Jones, plans were drawn up, and our first members colaborated to build the sanctuary where we still join today. The building remains a living testament to the UU principle that “we are joined by deed, not by creed.” For nearly 60 years, UUFP has supported our community in its spiritual journeys while also offering volunteer and service opportunities to benefit the greater Pottstown area. Guided by the Seven UU Principles, a diverse group of voices offers Sunday sermons that invite participants to live a more examined and fulfilling life. Since our founding in 1967, we have proudly been a "small but mighty" staple of the Pottstown area.
We offer lay-led services every Sunday at 10:30 a.m., including an RE class for our younger members with a UUA-provided curriculum, as well as nursery care. Each service is followed by a coffee hour, and on the third Sunday of every month we gather for our much-loved potluck meal. Our many committees provide opportunities for community engagement in a variety of ways. We invite you to bring an open mind, along with your talents and energy, to share in our community.
UU History
Our Unitarian Universalist (UU) faith tradition is diverse and inclusive. We grew from the union of two different Christian groups: the Universalists, who organized in 1793, and the Unitarians, who organized in 1825. They joined to become the UUA in 1961. Across the globe, our legacy reaches back centuries to liberal religious pioneers in England, Poland, and Transylvania.
Each UU congregation is autonomous—congregational leaders set their own priorities and choose their own ministers and staff. Congregations vote for the leaders of the UUA, who oversee the central staff and resources.
However all congregations acknowledge and confirm their belief in the following poriniples which we hold as strong values and moral guides. We live out these Principles within a “living tradition” of wisdom and spirituality, drawn from sources as diverse as science, poetry, scripture, and personal experience.
As Rev. Barbara Wells ten Hove explains, “The Principles are not dogma or doctrine, but rather a guide for those of us who choose to join and participate in Unitarian Universalist religious communities.”
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1st Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
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2nd Principle: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
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3rd Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
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4th Principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
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5th Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
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6th Principle: The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
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7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
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The seven Principles and six Sources of the Unitarian Universalist Association grew out of the grassroots of our communities, were affirmed democratically, and are part of who we are. Read them as they are written in our UUA Bylaws.