Our Values
We are a diverse community, each of us on our own individual spiritual journey, we share the visions and ideas in a supportive and caring environment. UU is unique in that we are free to form our own belief systems without having to subscribe to any dogma imposed upon us. We draw from the wisdom of many sources including teachings of the world’s religions, cultures, and traditions, and the words and deeds of prophetic women and men.
True religious freedom should allow for seeking a place where you feel spiritually moved, but also for personal freedom of thought and expression within the religious organization itself. Our pulpit is an open pulpit and our Minister, and others who speak are free to express their points of view without encumbrances.
Members and Friends of this congregation are welcome to agree or disagree and openly discuss these ideas with each other. While we each develop our own religious and philosophical paths, our unity stems from affirming and promoting some very important universal principles. Among these are the inherent worth and dignity of every person, justice, love, acceptance, and compassion in human relations, the ongoing search for truth, the use of both reason and the democratic process, the importance of community and respect of the interdependent web of all existence of which we are all a part.
We welcome you through our doors to share your personal ideas and visions with us.
Our History
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Lauderdale was formed in 1958 and met in several locations, before buying a building in downtown Fort Lauderdale in 1962. After several years of changes in staff and locations, we held our first service in our newly built building in Oakland Park in April 1987. The UUCFL became a Welcoming Congregation in 1991. The Unitarian Fellowship of South Florida (Hollywood) merged with the UUCFL in 2017; in 2018, we voted to change our name to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Lauderdale. A new change awaited us as the Congregation made the decision to sell our Oakland Park location and found our new (and current) home in Dania Beach in July 2022. We held our first service in our new building in March 2023. We are in the process of renovating our sanctuary to better serve the needs of our UUCFL members and surrounding community.
Staff
Reverend Catherine Cullen – Minister
Catherine Cullen is a seasoned Unitarian Universalist minister with nearly two decades of dedicated service. From 2004 to 2023, she served as Minister at First Parish Church UU in Duxbury, Massachusetts, following her role as Interim Minister at the UU Congregation of South County in Peace Dale, Rhode Island (2002-2004).
With a strong foundation in theology and law, Catherine holds a Master of Divinity from Andover Newton Theological School (2001), a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University School of Law (1978), and a Bachelor of Arts from the College of William & Mary (1974). She was ordained in 2002, received Preliminary Fellowship in the Unitarian Universalist ministry the same year, and achieved Full Fellowship in 2005.
Committed to spiritual leadership, pastoral care, and social justice, Catherine continues to engage in meaningful ministry and service.
Minister Emerita – Rev. Gail Tapscott
Reverend Gail Tapscott was our spiritual counselor and settled Minister for 17 years from September 1999 – June 2016. She continues in full fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association. Gail holds a Master of Divinity Degree from Harvard Divinity School. She has been bestowed the title of Minister Emerita by a grateful UUCFL congregation.
Rev. Gail has relocated to her childhood state of Mississippi where she continues to find plenty of ministry and social justice actions to keep her schedule full.