Unitarian Christian Association
The official logo of the UCA featuring a Christian cross.
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| Abbreviation | UCA |
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| Formation | 1991 |
| Type | Religious Organization |
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Official language
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English |
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Moderator
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Revd Jean Bradley |
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Key people
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Dr Brian Hick (Editor of The Liberal Christian Herald), Mrs Denise Birks (Secretary) |
| Affiliations | General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, European Liberal Protestant Network |
| Website | http://www.unitarianchristian.org.uk |
The Unitarian Christian Association (UCA) is a relatively small, though growing fellowship of Christians who feel an affinity with traditional Unitarianism and Free Christianity. The association is based in the United Kingdom and is an affiliated society of the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches, and has formal links with the European Liberal Protestant Network.
The UCA also has fraternal relations with European groups such as the Assemblée Fraternelle des Chrétiens Unitariens (AFCU) and Congregazione Italiana Cristiana Unitariana, along with North American groups such as the Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship and American Unitarian Conference.
As such, the UCA should be considered to be part of three Christian subcultures—the distinct traditions of Unitarianism and Free Christianity, and the broader 'umbrella movement' of liberal Christianity.
The Unitarian Christian Association, as its name suggests, exists primarily to preserve and celebrate Unitarian Christianity.
In short, the Unitarian Christian tradition is founded on a theological position (originally espoused by Michael Servetus and Francis David) that dissents from the doctrine of the Trinity instead affirming the unity of God and placing emphasis on the humanity of Jesus. This strict monotheism is arguably more akin to Islamic and Jewish positions than the positions of larger Christian groups such as the Roman Catholic Church - and as a result, they may be regarded by some fellow Christians as 'unorthodox' or 'heretical'.
In tandem with their aim to promote Unitarian Christian beliefs, the UCA also maintains an ethos of theological open-mindedness and inclusivity shaped by its links with the Free Christian tradition. This is highlighted by the UCA's Foundational Declaration (Recast Edition) which states the following:
"The Bible is central to our faith and Jesus is the Teacher, Exemplar and Master. We will read and search scripture for truth, interpreted by the authority of Conscience. All creeds and confessions restrict belief and the free Inquiry we need for Knowledge. By loving one another, we show ourselves to follow the example of the Jesus. In all things, in faith and deeds, we seek to follow the His Great Commandment that God is One and we should love God with all that we are, and love neighbour as ourselves. We know that how we act is much more important than what the words we say and that, in all times, the words of Jesus still show the way, more important than those uttered in later days. Unity is found not in creeds or doctrines, but by following and being obedient to His teachings. This we affirm."
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Wikipedia