The UUniverse:
Where Does Paint Branch Fit In?


Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church is part of a national association of congregations that is divided into smaller districts and regions, and comprises many ministries such as the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and the Unitarian Universalist Men's Network. Together this regional hierarchy, these larger ministries and the member congregations such as Paint Branch form the UUniverse. The map of the UUniverse and Paint Branch shows concentric ellipses with each level of organization, and boxes showing more details about both PBUUC and national ministries.

Moving from PBUUC to larger regions, the key organizations are as follows:

Baltimore Washington Growth Committee: An organization of 27 congregations focused on promoting the growth of Unitarian Universalism in the Baltimore and Washington DC metropolitin areas.

Joseph Priestley District (JPD): This district contains 65 congregations in the mid-Atlantic region. This district includes Southern New Jersey, all of Delaware and Maryland, Eastern Pennsylvania, and Northern Virginia.

Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA): This is the national organization for Unitarian Universalists in the United States. It contains 20 districts similar to the JPD.

The important thing to note is that these organizations are associations of congregations that serve their member s rather than governing them. These organizations are funded by dues from member congregations and additional contributions to organizations such as Chalice Lighters (within the JPD) or Friends of the UUA. Our District Executives are sometimes teased about being "bishops", but in reality a District Executive does not have the authority over congregations that a Catholic or Anglican bishop would have.

There is much more information about national-level ministries at the UUA Web site. Ministries of particular import within the PBUUC community are:

Interweave: Is an affiliate organization of the UUA that addresses lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender concerns. Paint Branch members were critical in the formation and early activities of Interweave and the Welcoming Congregation program at PBUUC, in the JPD, and nationally.

Unitarian Universalist Men's Network: The Unitarian Universalist Men's Network is a continental membership organization for UU men whose purpose is to build a mature, liberal religious masculinity: male-positive, pro-feminist / womanist, gay-affirming, culturally and racially inclusive and diverse. Our co-minister Jaco ten Hove is a past national chair of this organization.

Enjoy the journey as you search for your place in the UUniverse!


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