Rev. Valerie Wills was called by the UU Church of Hagerstown on Jan. 17, 1999 to full time parish ministry. Rev. Wills brings to
her ministry, life experiences which enrich both her services for the entire congregation and her interaction with individual
members. Before coming to the UU Church of Hagerstown in 1997, she served at three other UU churches. Rev. Wills earned her
Master of Divinity degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. Before her call to ministry, she taught for
nearly 30 years in public and private schools. A third-generation Unitarian, she was active in her home church, especially
in religious education. She actively volunteers for many community service organizations.
What's in a Name? Who are the Unitarian Universalists?
Our local church—the Unitarian Universalist Church of Hagerstown—is one of over 1,000 Unitarian Universalist churches and fellowships in the United States which belong to the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). The UUA was created when two religiously liberal denominations, the Unitarians and the Universalists, merged in 1961.Because the Unitarian Universalist name is so long, we usually just refer to ourselves as UU. However, we are very proud of our double heritage.
Both the Unitarians and Universalists arrived in America in Colonial times, but their roots go back to the early years of Christianity. The first Unitarians voted against the doctrine of the Trinity at the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D. because they found no Scriptural evidence to support a three-natured God. Universalism developed as an alternative to the tenet that only an elect few would be saved. Universalists taught that a loving God would not eternally damn anyone.
Today, Unitarian Universalism has expanded beyond its original Christian roots to draw inspiration from many other spiritual sources.
What Unitarian Universalists Believe
Some people think Unitarian Universalists don't believe in anything. That's completely wrong. We UUs strongly believe in the freedom of religious expression and the capacity of all people to conduct their own search for a meaningful existence and to develop their own religious convictions. We honor everyone's right to disagree and come to different conclusions. That's why Unitarian Universalist churches do not require assent to any creed for membership and do not state a formal position about many religious issues. Our church's role is to encourage individuals to develop their own personal theology by making available a wide variety of resources and perspectives. Spiritual ideas are so important to us that you'll usually find UUs lingering after the Sunday service for discussion of that day's sermon and other spiritual, political and social justice topics.
Unitarian Universalist Principles
Unitarian Universalism has no formal creed. However, the following principles, which are inherent in the Unitarian Universalist way of life, express the common ground for our activities:
Individual freedom of belief
The inherent worth and dignity of every person
Justice, equality 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 right of conscience and the use of democratic process within our congregations and in society at large
The goal of a world community with peace, liberty and justice for all
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
A Brief History of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Hagerstown
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Hagerstown (UUCH) was formed in April 1957. After meeting for years in private homes and rented spaces including the Hagerstown YMCA, members bought their first church building, a stately old home at 465 N. Potomac Street, in 1966. With the congregation growing and the old house needing major repairs, members decided to sell the building in 1997. After two more years meeting in rented space, this time at Girls Inc., in 1999 UUCH bought its present property on the Cearfoss Pike, 8-acres with a large brick house, a three-car garage, a barn, and enough open space for a future church building.
To meet current needs, the congregation hired an architect and building contractor for the conversion of the garage into a meeting hall/sanctuary for worship services and large group events. The Martin House (named for the former owner who helped finance the church's purchase of the property) is used for church offices, small group meetings, a library, and Sunday School classes (which UUs called religious education or RE.)
Through nearly half a century, the UU Church of Hagerstown has called several part-time ministers and has also enjoyed a variety of other speakers at its Sunday services. Rev. Valerie Wills is the first full-time minister.
Famous Unitarian Universalists
Unitarian Universalism, while small in numbers, has had a large effect through its members, which have included
John Adams, Clara Barton, Susan B. Anthony, Henry Thoreau, Robert Fulgrum, Whitney Young, Jr., Beatrix Potter,
Emily Dickinson, Adlai Stevenson, Ralph W. Emerson, and Thomas Jefferson.
UU Heros and Heroines
A decision by Charles Follen in 1832 changed the celebration of Christmas for Unitarian Universalists. Follen's memories of German trees of his youth led him to cut down a pine tree to bring into the house and decorate.
Now his was not the first Christmas tree in America. Many Pennsylvania farmers and Hessian soldiers also had them. But Follen brought his into the house, decorated it and associated it with Christmas.
His idea is commemorated today by the Follen Community Church, a UU church, with a lighted tree on the church's front lawn and tree sales in the parking lot.
Follen is also remembered for his social justice activities. He was an activist for abolition and lost his right to teach and his job because of his outspokenness. Today, the church named for him is still socially active.
Reverend Valerie Tucker Wills