about us
Channing-Murray Foundation is a campus-community center rooted in Unitarian-Universalist values providing educational, artistic, and cultural programs designed to be radically inclusive, social justice-centered, and spiritually alive.
mission statement
The mission of the Channing-Murray Foundation is to provide educational opportunities to explore Unitarian-Universalism spirituality, reflect our concern for social justice, and affirm diversity through outreach to the campus community of Urbana-Champaign.
The tradition of Channing-Murray is not only to provide artistic, social, educational, and religious programming, but also to be a haven for those who dream of a better world, who try to make a better world, who need a place to express and discuss their ideas and to understand the spirituality of Unitarian-Universalism.
Our vision
Channing-Murray Foundation seeks to contribute to a vibrant community life in Champaign-Urbana that values social justice, diversity, and community-building across a diversity of identities and experiences. We are LGBTQ-affirming, interfaith-oriented, and committed to social justice. As a community center rooted in Unitarian-Universalism, we are guided by the seven principles of Unitarian-Universalism:
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1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person
2. Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations
3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations
4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning
5. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large
6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all
7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part
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our comittment to diversity
Channing-Murray Foundation has a strong commitment to diversity, celebrating a multitude of worldviews, histories, and cultural knowledge across a range of social groups including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, abilities, economic class, religion, and their intersections.
unitarian universalism
Welcome to Unitarian-Universalism, a religion that celebrates diversity of belief and is guided by seven principles. Our congregations are places where we gather to nurture our spirits and put our faith into action through social justice work in our communities and the wider world.
Newcomers are always welcome in Unitarian-Universalist congregations. There is no formal conversion process, so becoming a Unitarian Universalist is simply a matter of self-identification. Membership is voluntary and does not require renouncing other religious affiliations or practices.
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