About CUUPS

What is CUUPS?

The Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS) is an organization dedicated to networking Pagan-identified Unitarian Universalists (UUs), educating people about Paganism, promoting interfaith dialogue, developing Pagan liturgies and theologies, and supporting Pagan-identified UU religious professionals.

The Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS) was chartered by  the Unitarian Universalist Association at the General Assembly in 1987. The Statement of Purpose in our bylaws states that CUUPS exists to enable

• Networking among Pagan-identified UUs; providing outreach of Unitarian Universalism to the broader Pagan community continentally.
• Providing educational materials on Paganism for Unitarian Universalist congregations and the general public.
• Promoting Pagan - Jewish & Christian dialogue; encouraging the development of theo/alogical and liturgical materials based on earth and nature centered religious and spiritual perspectives.
• Encouraging greater use of music, dance, visual arts, poetry, story, and creative ritual in Unitarian Universalist worship and celebration.
• Providing support for Pagan-identified UU religious professionals and ministerial students; and fostering healing relationships with our mother the Earth and all her children.

If you'd like information on how CUUPS grew, take a look at CUUPS History. Our Newsletter Archive is also a good place to get a feel for how CUUPS and CUUPSters think and feel.

If some of the terms and references on this site are unfamiliar to you, please consult Questions & Answers.

Paganism in the UUA

The Sixth Source of Unitarian Universalism is "Spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature." For some UUs this means a Pagan spirituality. For other UUs it means a Humanist, Native American, or other nature honoring spirituality.

UUs are dedicated to the right of conscience, the personal search for spiritual truth and freedom from dogmatism. UUs are also dedicated to "Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part." Many UUs understand Paganism within this context while not accepting Paganism as their personal spiritual truth.

Even so, opinions vary on the inclusion of a Pagan theology within the UUA. Individual congregations can be supportive or skeptical. Most congregations are tolerant, and many are even accepting, of Paganism as a spiritual expression within Unitarian Universalism.

You can read further on our About the UUA page or by browsing the articles in our Newsletter Archive. For even more information about the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA) visit their website at www.uua.org.

What does CUUPS Do?

On the continental level . . .

CUUPS sponsors events at the annual UUA General Assembly to educate UUs about UU-Paganism. The CUUPS Annual Meeting occurs concurrently with the UUA General Assembly. CUUPS Convocations offers speakers, workshops, rituals, camping and other activities; our next Convocation is scheduled for the spring of 2004 at The Mountain in Highlands, NC.

CUUPS committees work on areas of interest to members, for example, Religious Education. For information on volunteering for committee work or other tasks at the continental level of CUUPS, visit our Get Involved! page, or contact our Volunteer Coordinator.

CUUPS supports Internet networking for UU Pagans through CUUPS-CAFE, an electronic mailing list, CUUPS-L , an announcement list, and through other Internet and Web Resources.

If you'd like to learn more about the nitty-gritty of how CUUPS functions day to day, please visit our Corporate pages.

On the local level . . .

In many areas of North America, individual members of CUUPS have joined together to form CUUPS chapters, in association with existing UU congregations. Chapter activities may include discussion groups, ritual groups, teaching circles, and worship services for UU congregations. Chapters are autonomous in deciding their own levels and types of activity. Our Chapter List gives you information on how to contact officially recognized chapters.

UU Pagan Ministry

Many UU clergy have responded spiritually to nature for a long time. In recent years an increasing number of UU ministers have identified themselves as Pagan or Earth-centered in their spirituality. This is part of a recent general increase in spiritual interests among UUs.

How Can I Join CUUPS?

Active membership is $35 a year (add $15 for a second membership at the same address). This includes voting membership to CUUPS, member publications, and (after one year) eligibility to run for office on the continental level. You can find more information and an application form on our Membership pages.