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1st Principle: The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
2nd Principle: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
3rd Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
4th Principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5th Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations
and in society at large;
6th Principle: The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
8th Principle: We covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.
2nd Principle: Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
3rd Principle: Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
4th Principle: A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5th Principle: The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations
and in society at large;
6th Principle: The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
8th Principle: We covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.
UUCLV's Covenant of Healthy Relationships within the Congregation
Briefly What is Unitarian Universalism
Unitarian Universalism is an old American religion that comes out of the liberal Christian tradition. The roots of the faith are entwined with the early centuries of this country. The Unitarian branch of the faith teaches that all creation comes from one source; some of us call that source God or nature or mystery. The Universalist branch teaches that all creation shares the same destiny.
As Unitarian Universalists, we believe that how we choose to live our lives is more important than what we believe about life. Unitarian Universalists believe what our conscience and experience lead us to believe. Unitarian Universalists live into our religious values by working towards peace and justice.
As Unitarian Universalists, we believe that how we choose to live our lives is more important than what we believe about life. Unitarian Universalists believe what our conscience and experience lead us to believe. Unitarian Universalists live into our religious values by working towards peace and justice.
The History of UUCLV
The congregation was founded on May 1, 1952 as the 75th fellowship of the American Unitarian Association, which ten years later became the Unitarian Universalist Association. Emil Kolben was our first President. Of our other early founders, the Bruners and Breezes stand out. Elmo Bruner served on the Board on and off until his death in 1973. Dean and Joan Breeze were involved for many years. Dean, a local lawyer, was legal council for the church until his death in 1997. He and Robert Throckmorton, our president from 1956-1958, also helped found the local ACLU.
In 1959, we called our first minister, Rev. Francis Schlater, who died after only six months. We bought our first home at Tamarus and Tropicana in 1960 through the generosity of Raymond Baumgardner. We kept the property for seven years. In 1961 we hired a new part-time minister, Heinz Rettig from New Jersey. Rettig continued until 1963, when Rev. Gorden Newell was hired. He served us for one year, returning east at the end of the contract.
A Place to Call Home
Keeping up payments on the church’s property became impossible and in 1967 the property was sold to the Bruners. In 1968 we were involved in social justice causes ranging from collecting clothing for the West Side Neighborhood Council, to reviewing whether apartment complexes would rent to black residents.
In 1969, we began meeting on Sunday afternoon at Gudmundssen Hall, a part of the First Congregational Church at 1200 N. Eastern Boulevard. The seventies were a time of social action, including sending funds to the Black Affairs Council of the UUA and to the Sioux at Wounded Knee. Involvment in local issues included our protest over conditions at the Madison Terrace Apartments, a 1950s public housing area in Las Vegas.
In 1978, we moved our services to the UNLV Center for Religion and Life to provide room for our children. In 1985, we started a weekend ministry program with Rev. Vernon Curry. After his retirement in 1986, we hired Rev. Sandra Szelag. 1987 was a year of national events, with UUA President Bill Schulz here for the American Peace Test and the UU Desert Witness I.
In 1992, we moved to the Las Vegas Masonic Hall, and held our first Service Auction. We began meeting throughout the summer. Rev.Bill DeWolfe came in October, and again in February as minister on loan. He was also our Ministerial Consultant from December 1993 until April 1994.
From Fellowship to Congregation
We became a Congregation in 1993, and purchased property on the corner of O’Bannon and Lindell for a future home. During this time, the church underwent rapid growth, with membership over 100. We were also moving toward a full-time ministry, something that had been sought for many years. In 1994 Rev. Suzanne Dougherty began three years with us, weathering a difficult transition from a lay-led congregation to a minister-led one.
We purchased the North Las Vegas Moose Hall in 1996, which continues to be our home. The purchase led to growth for the Congregation, but also the departure of 15 members who started another UU fellowship in the valley, the Unitarian Universalist Community of Southern Nevada, which disbanded in 2002. On Sunday, February 7, 1997, UUs, including UUA President John Buehrens, came and celebrated with us, as we dedicated our new home. That September, we voted to become a “Welcoming Congregation” welcoming bisexual, gay, lesbian, transgender members and friends.
Later that year, Rev. Pat Bowen became our interim Minister for a two-year period. Rev. Judy Cohen, was our interim Minister in 1999-2000, followed by Rev. Gail Collins-Ranadive for 2000-2001. We called our first settled minister Rev. Paul Daniel, in 2001.
In 2002, we celebrated a great milestone, burning the last of the mortgages. We now own our home. In 2003, we also hired a Director of Lifespan Faith Development, Kevin Drewery. Kevin was an inspiration to the children and youth of the congregation until he began a Masters of Divinity at Starr King School for the Ministry in 2008, and Danielle Bell was hired. She served as Director of Lifespan Faith Development through 2017.
In 2006, Rev. Daniel resigned, and was replaced by interim Minister Rev. Roberta Haskin, who served a year. We called Rev. Gail Collins-Ranadive, our former interim Minister to be our settled Minister in 2007. She was installed on May 10, 2008, in a ceremony attended by Unitarian Universalist Association’s President William G. Sinkford. Unfortunately, she was required to step down because of ill health in late 2008, and we moved though a short ministry with consultant Rev. Jim Grant in early 2009. Our next interim Minister, Rev. Linda Bunyard, was hired in August of 2009 for one year, followed by Rev. Jane Bramadadt who served for two years. The Rev. Ian Riddell served for three years as a Developmental Minister. The Rev. Rachel A. Baker served as Developmental Minister from 2015 to 2020.
We look forward to growth and further involvement in the Las Vegas community. With just over 100 members, the congregation is the only Unitarian Universalist congregation in Southern Nevada.
Mark P. Hall-Patton, Church Historian, edited
In 1959, we called our first minister, Rev. Francis Schlater, who died after only six months. We bought our first home at Tamarus and Tropicana in 1960 through the generosity of Raymond Baumgardner. We kept the property for seven years. In 1961 we hired a new part-time minister, Heinz Rettig from New Jersey. Rettig continued until 1963, when Rev. Gorden Newell was hired. He served us for one year, returning east at the end of the contract.
A Place to Call Home
Keeping up payments on the church’s property became impossible and in 1967 the property was sold to the Bruners. In 1968 we were involved in social justice causes ranging from collecting clothing for the West Side Neighborhood Council, to reviewing whether apartment complexes would rent to black residents.
In 1969, we began meeting on Sunday afternoon at Gudmundssen Hall, a part of the First Congregational Church at 1200 N. Eastern Boulevard. The seventies were a time of social action, including sending funds to the Black Affairs Council of the UUA and to the Sioux at Wounded Knee. Involvment in local issues included our protest over conditions at the Madison Terrace Apartments, a 1950s public housing area in Las Vegas.
In 1978, we moved our services to the UNLV Center for Religion and Life to provide room for our children. In 1985, we started a weekend ministry program with Rev. Vernon Curry. After his retirement in 1986, we hired Rev. Sandra Szelag. 1987 was a year of national events, with UUA President Bill Schulz here for the American Peace Test and the UU Desert Witness I.
In 1992, we moved to the Las Vegas Masonic Hall, and held our first Service Auction. We began meeting throughout the summer. Rev.Bill DeWolfe came in October, and again in February as minister on loan. He was also our Ministerial Consultant from December 1993 until April 1994.
From Fellowship to Congregation
We became a Congregation in 1993, and purchased property on the corner of O’Bannon and Lindell for a future home. During this time, the church underwent rapid growth, with membership over 100. We were also moving toward a full-time ministry, something that had been sought for many years. In 1994 Rev. Suzanne Dougherty began three years with us, weathering a difficult transition from a lay-led congregation to a minister-led one.
We purchased the North Las Vegas Moose Hall in 1996, which continues to be our home. The purchase led to growth for the Congregation, but also the departure of 15 members who started another UU fellowship in the valley, the Unitarian Universalist Community of Southern Nevada, which disbanded in 2002. On Sunday, February 7, 1997, UUs, including UUA President John Buehrens, came and celebrated with us, as we dedicated our new home. That September, we voted to become a “Welcoming Congregation” welcoming bisexual, gay, lesbian, transgender members and friends.
Later that year, Rev. Pat Bowen became our interim Minister for a two-year period. Rev. Judy Cohen, was our interim Minister in 1999-2000, followed by Rev. Gail Collins-Ranadive for 2000-2001. We called our first settled minister Rev. Paul Daniel, in 2001.
In 2002, we celebrated a great milestone, burning the last of the mortgages. We now own our home. In 2003, we also hired a Director of Lifespan Faith Development, Kevin Drewery. Kevin was an inspiration to the children and youth of the congregation until he began a Masters of Divinity at Starr King School for the Ministry in 2008, and Danielle Bell was hired. She served as Director of Lifespan Faith Development through 2017.
In 2006, Rev. Daniel resigned, and was replaced by interim Minister Rev. Roberta Haskin, who served a year. We called Rev. Gail Collins-Ranadive, our former interim Minister to be our settled Minister in 2007. She was installed on May 10, 2008, in a ceremony attended by Unitarian Universalist Association’s President William G. Sinkford. Unfortunately, she was required to step down because of ill health in late 2008, and we moved though a short ministry with consultant Rev. Jim Grant in early 2009. Our next interim Minister, Rev. Linda Bunyard, was hired in August of 2009 for one year, followed by Rev. Jane Bramadadt who served for two years. The Rev. Ian Riddell served for three years as a Developmental Minister. The Rev. Rachel A. Baker served as Developmental Minister from 2015 to 2020.
We look forward to growth and further involvement in the Las Vegas community. With just over 100 members, the congregation is the only Unitarian Universalist congregation in Southern Nevada.
Mark P. Hall-Patton, Church Historian, edited
