About BUF - the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship

Who are - and What is -
this "UnCommon Denomination" , the UU's?

About BUF - The Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship.
As a Unitarian Universalist congregation, we are lay-managed, but with a Minister. We are lay-led in both administrative housekeeping - business-wise the group is its own boss, and in the nature of our religion - the members are their own bosses, as to spirituality.

UU's do not require members to hold a set of specific beliefs, as is common in many religions. You may build your own theology.

We do have a set of Principles and Purposes (which themselves may be revised from time to time).

What we do expect of our people (formal members, and hopefully also of friends and visitors) is "good behavior" - a sort of expanded Golden Rule. Read more on the "Newcomers" page, and at the UUA website.

We are a membership-run, registered state and Federal non-profit - a 501(c)3 religious organization. We have our own ByLaws. Members contribute funds for our operating costs. We have an annual formal business meeting, at which the members vote on the operation of the church. We elect a Board of Trustees and other officers. We call our own Ministers - they are not sent to us by any authority group, Though UU's most commonly select a Minister who is Ordained UU clergy, that is not required at BUF.

The Reverend Doug Wadkins' office hours are:

Monday: Service Preparation and Professional Development

Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday: Office time at BUF, the Minister is available by appointment during this time. Please call 733-2301 to set up a time.

Friday: is the Minister's day off.

Saturday: The Minister is often available for appointments on Saturday.

Summertime: The Minister is usually away for study-leave and a mini-sabbatical - he might be available by appointment.

BUF Mission Statement

Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship is a welcoming and diverse community of individuals and families. Through fellowship, worship, and service, we nurture the personal, spiritual and intellectual development of our growing congregation and promote respect and compassionate action for all people and our interdependent world

UU Principles and Purposes:

We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, 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 to spiritual growth in our congregations;
A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
The rights 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.

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