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NEW -- notes from GA participants here.
The Universalist Convention of North Carolina,
Inc. (UCONCI) was first organized in 1895 to promote the
coordinated growth of Universalism in eastern North Carolina.
At that time, some very energetic circuit riders were increasing the
number of churches in the rural areas of our state and also in South
Carolina and Virginia. Reorganization in 1905 led to a charter
of incorporation, and even as the tide of enthusiasm for the
Universalist denomination ebbed with the subsequent liberalization
among other more populous denominations in the area, this
organization has held its ground and abides today to assure mutual
support (both financial and social) among the congregations it
serves.
We serve as an oasis of reasonable religion
in this "Bible belt" area and when people who have been
disillusioned from more fundamentalist origins find us, it is with
relief--and they are usually able to gather hope for the future
through a an organized source of worship based in love instead of
fear. Our congregations are inclusive and diverse in beliefs
and forms of worship services, as well as in community support, with
varied and numerous efforts to actively improve the conditions we
find in our neighborhoods.
We currently have eleven member Unitarian Universalist
churches and fellowships with another anticipating full
membership this year. These extend from Chapel Hill in central
NC to Morehead City on the Outer Banks, with most of the groups in
the Coastal Plain.
We also maintain a summer campground called
Shelter Neck in the countryside less
than an hour's drive from the beaches
of Topsail Island, and about 15 minutes from Interstate
highway 40. This is the home of one of the very first Unitarian churches
in North Carolina, the Shelter Neck Chapel, built and
dedicated in 1902. We have a good time and enjoy getting
together to have workshops, seminars, and retreats with lots of
recreation and conversation.
Member congregations send delegates to our Annual
Convention in late October. In 2010, we had a program on
“Stewardship of Our Faith: Retaining Our Youth”. Click to see a report from
our last convention or to read about our upcoming convention to be held
October 8 and 9, 2011. The theme will be "Connections That
Strengthen Our UU Faith".
List of UCONCI member
congregations
National
and
Regional
Universalist
Links
UCONCI Board Contact Info
and Minutes:
"A History of
Universalism in North Carolina -- 1740 to 2007" is available
for purchase here.
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