UUPA, Louisville Chapter, is a monthly, facilitated discussion group for people interested in or curious about polyamory and UUism in the Louisville, Kentucky area. This chapter is an autonomous organization. The Louisville Chapter of UUPA is neither sponsored nor endorsed by a local Unitarian Universalist congregation.

What Is Polyamory?

UUPA defines polyamory as the philosophy and practice of loving or relating intimately to more than one other person at a time with honesty and integrity. UUPA advocates for any form of relationship or family structure - whether monogamous or multi-partner - which is characterized by free and responsible choice, mutual consent of all involved, and sincere adherence to personal philosophical values.

What does polyamory have to do with Unitarian Universalism?

Relationships are central to our sense of ourselves, and therefore to our spirituality. Polyamorists, like everyone else, need religious communities where we are safe to talk freely about our families.
Polyamory and the UU Principles and Purposes

Who We Are

We are individuals who have an interest in both Unitarian Universalism and polyamory. We are UU members and friends, some of whom are polyamorous, who have an interest in learning about polyamory, spirituality, church, and the relationship among them. Our meetings have welcomed some UUs who are not polyamorous and some polyamorists who are not UUs. People who are neither UUs nor polyamorous are welcome also. Diversity in our discussions makes them all the more interesting.

Getting Started

Tom and Jasmine, members of First Unitarian Church of Louisville Kentucky, attended the UUA General Assembly in Nashville Tennessee in June of 2000. While at General Assembly, we attended an organizational meeting of Unitarian Universalists for Polyamory Awareness (UUPA). On arrival back home, we formed a local chapter, in ministry to the several polyamorous UUs in our home congregation. Our first meeting was held in September of 2000.

UUPA is an autonomous organization. First Unitarian Church of Louisville Kentucky does not sponsor this UUPA chapter, nor does it endorse polyamory.

Why We Started This Chapter

Unitarian Universalists for Polyamory Awareness (UUPA) has as its Mission to serve the Unitarian Universalist Association and the community of polyamorous people within and outside the UUA by providing support, promoting education, and encouraging spiritual wholeness regarding polyamory. The purposes of the UUPA Louisville Chapter are:

• to create safe space in our church for polyamorous UUs and friends to come out of the closet;
• to provide information about polyamory and discussion opportunities to UUs and friends; and
• to explore the connection between relationships and spirituality.

What Are Your Meetings Like?

We meet spproximately once a month for a facilitated discussion or open conversation, sometimes over a meal. We generally suspend our meetings during the summer, and sometimes in December, due to busy schedules. Meetings usually occur at First Unitarian Church of Louisville KY, at the corner of 4th and York. First Unitarian Church of Louisville Kentucky does not sponsor this UUPA chapter, nor does it endorse polyamory.

Access to the church is through the Library Lane door, at the rear of the parking lot. A ramp is available at this door. If the door is locked, look to wall at the right of the doors for a doorbell, which will ring the telephones in the building. Visitors are encouraged to contact the chair ahead of attending, so we can make sure you find the meeting.

We begin with a reading and chalice lighting, and then take a few minutes for business as necessary. Next we share ideas and experiences and explore the many issues raised by responsible multi-partner relationships.

For information, email Jasmine.

Guidelines for Behavior

• We affirm the inherent worth and dignity of each person; people attending UUPA meetings are expected to behave accordingly.
• Information shared in the group is confidential, not to be repeated outside the group.
• Names of people who attend are confidential, not to be repeated outside the group.

A sampling of topics we've covered:

• The Spectrum of Poly
• Changing Boundaries: How to Say No After You've Said Yes
• Poly Holidays
• Long Distance Relationships
• Coming Out
• Spirituality and Relationships
• Non-sexual Polyamory
• Time Management
• Children of Poly Families
• The Youth Perspective
• Jealousy
• Poly Books and Movies
• Poly and Community
• Personal Poly Stories
• Question and Answer Time
• Safety
• "When Two Won't Do" Video
• Why Church?"
• The Hidden Message
• Conversation with the Minister
• The Youth Perspective
• Marginalizing Our Own
• Conversation with Child Protective Services
• Commitment and Belonging
• Many Kinds of Love
• From Partners to Friends
• Conversation with Researcher
• Coming Out to Health Care Providers
• Boundaries and Consent
• Trust
• Famous Polys
• What does Polyamory Have to Do With Me?
• Facets of Polyamory

Future topic ideas

• Different Drummers
• Breaking Up Is Hard to Do
• Compersion
• Being Outed
• Promiscuity or Chastity: Is There a Middle Ground?
• Finding Polys
• Open and Closed Relationships
• Polygamy: Is It Polyamory?
• Legal Issues for Polys
• Relationship Styles
• Poly and the Church: What Will the Neighbors Think?

UUPA Membership

Membership in UUPA is open to anyone who affirms alignment with UUPA's Mission Statement and with the Principles and Purposes of Unitarian Universalism.

Membership in the Louisville Chapter is open to anyone who affirms alignment with the Chapter's Mission Statement and with the Principles and Purposes of Unitarian Universalism. To learn more about membership, visit UUPA's membership page, or contact UUPA at :

UUPA
2111 Lido Circle
Stockton CA 95207-6014
uupa at uupa dot org

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Mission Statement of UUPA's Louisville Chapter

The mission of Unitarian Universalists for Polyamory Awareness, Louisville Chapter, is to serve members and friends of First Unitarian Church by providing support, promoting education, and encouraging spiritual wholeness regarding polyamory.

Adopted Aug. 28, 2003

 

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The Principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association

We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, 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.

The living tradition which we share draws from many sources:

• 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 which create and uphold 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 neighbors 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;
• Spiritual teachings of earth_centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.

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 Purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association

• The Unitarian Universalist Association shall devote its resources to and exercise its corporate powers for religious, educational and humanitarian purposes. The primary purpose of the Association is to serve the needs of its member congregations, organize new congregations, extend and strengthen Unitarian Universalist institutions and implement its principles.
• Nothing herein shall be deemed to infringe upon the individual freedom of belief which is inherent in the Universalist and Unitarian heritages or to conflict with any statement of purpose, covenant, or bond of union used by any society unless such is used as a creedal test.

 
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Updated 7-6-2010