Who are we?

Kingston Unitarian Fellowship - KUF

Mission

The mission of the Kingston Unitarian Fellowship is for all those in the Kingston area who support Unitarian Universalist principles to join together in a caring community for the development of spiritual and personal growth, in a welcoming environment where all are respected and diversity is celebrated, as we strive to make our world a better place through our actions.

A Welcoming Congregation

The Welcoming Congregation program was developed for Unitarian Universalist congregations wanting to become more inclusive towards Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) people. The Kingston Unitarian Fellowship has been a Welcoming Congregation since 2004. For more information, visit the Welcoming Congregations page at the Canadian Unitarian Council.

Our Building and Accessibility

KUF recently moved to a new lovely building at 244 McMahon Ave, Kingston, in the Strathcona Park neighbourhood. We are working on making the building fully accessible, but this will take us some time. Access to the main worship space requires navigation of a few steps and crossing a raised threshold. Gender-neutral bathrooms are accessible on that main floor. The sunny children's programming space is down a flight of stairs, so not yet fully accessible, but if your child needs accommodations, please let us know and we'll work it out with you. The community hall where we gather for coffee and conversation after services is up a flight of stairs, but many of us linger on the first floor -- and we would be happy to bring you coffee or tea, however you take it, if the stairs are a barrier for you. Meanwhile, do know that we are committed to building modifications that will enable full accessibility.

The building is a fragrance-free zone for those with chemical sensitivities.

All speaking during services is via a microphone and hearing assistive devices are available. The services are also available on Zoom if you would like to join from your own home.


We acknowledge that we gather together on Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee territory. We offer gratitude that we live, work, and play on these beautiful lands; gratitude for the stewards of the land through its entire history; and gratitude for the knowledge that our thanks to all the peoples and lands of Turtle Island includes a commitment to being good stewards and good neighbours working together to create a more just and loving world. In the spirit of gratitude we step into our gathered body, our individual work and community action, and into our larger lives.

We invite you to join us!

Principles and Resources

 

  • We, the member congregations of the Canadian Unitarian Council, 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 right 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.

  • Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces that create and hold life;

    • Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;

    • Wisdom from the world’s religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;

    • Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s love by loving our neighbours as ourselves;

    • Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.

    Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision. As free congregations we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust and support.

  • The Canadian Unitarian Council is the main umbrella organization for Unitarian Universalists in Canada.

    The CUC also works closely with the Unitarian Universalist Association, the main umbrella organization for the United States.

    The International Council of Unitarians and Universalists fosters connections between Unitarian and Unitarian Universalist groups around the world.

  • The Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office has a two-fold mission: To engage in the work of the UN to advance a peaceful, just, sustainable and pluralistic world community that promotes human rights. And to engage and inspire Unitarian Universalists and others to support and participate in this work.

    USC Canada was founded in 1945 as the Unitarian Service Committee of Canada. Its mission is to promote vibrant family farms, strong rural communities, and healthy ecosystems around the world.

    Camp Unirondack is a popular retreat in the Adirondacks.

    Check out the UUA Bookstore for books of interest to Unitarian Universalists.

    The Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance is a diverse, multi-faith group that looks at all aspects of religion. The web site has over 5400 articles on religion.