U/U Global Reflection Words

Before You Submit: Submission Considerations

Thank you for contributing to the U/U Global Reflection Words collection. We are grateful that you have chosen to share your words, wisdom, experience, creativity, and insight with a global community.

This project celebrates the rich diversity of U/U, and related spiritual, ethical, and human-centred traditions across the world. Submissions may come from every continent, shaped by different cultures, languages, histories, and lived realities. Some contributors may speak of God, Goddess, Spirit, the Divine, Nature, Love, Humanity, Justice, Community, or other sources of meaning. Others may use non-theistic language. We welcome this breadth of expression.

We do not expect every submission to reflect the same theology, language, style, or understanding of worship and gatherings. Indeed, the beauty of this collection lies in its diversity. There is no single script, formula, or way of expressing what matters most. We hope these are not just words, but also an opportunity for us to listen and to learn from one another's realities, traditions, cultures, and experiences while discovering both our differences and our shared humanity.

In honoring the diversity of our tradition, we also recognize that worship leaders sometimes adapt other’s work to fit their own context. The agreement in the form is that when a piece is used from this collection, it may be used and adapted freely. It is also an agreement from the users that the author will be given credit. In rare instances there is wording that is absolutely precise; authors will have an opportunity to indicate that and to share the context for all.

We welcome contributions from both experienced and first-time writers. We ask all contributors to submit their best work and to take time to review their piece before sending it, ensuring it is presented as they would wish it to appear in a published collection. We welcome a wide range of voices, styles, experiences, cultures, and levels of writing experience, but all submissions should be complete, thoughtfully prepared, and ready for editorial review. What matters most is authenticity, sincerity, and a contribution that may help others reflect, connect, learn, or find inspiration.

Please note that submission does not guarantee publication. All submissions will be reviewed by an editorial panel, whose decision will be final. As we seek to create a balanced and representative collection, the panel may consider factors such as theme, cultural context, tradition, and the overall needs of the collection. A strong submission may not be selected, not because it lacks merit, but because we are striving to reflect a broad range of voices, experiences, and perspectives from around the world.

We are committed to fostering a spirit of respect, inclusion, and openness. We welcome contributions from a wide range of perspectives, but we will not publish material that is offensive, discriminatory, abusive, or intolerant of others. Diversity flourishes where there is mutual respect, curiosity, and a willingness to learn from one another.

Because we anticipate receiving submissions from across the globe, we will not be able to acknowledge individual submissions or provide updates on their status. You will receive a copy of your submission automatically, indicating the submission also came to our team. Contributors whose work is selected for publication may be contacted directly if required.

Most of all, thank you for adding your voice to this growing global collection. Whether your words emerge from faith, doubt, wonder, conviction, culture, justice, compassion, spirituality, or everyday human experience, your contribution helps create a richer tapestry of wisdom and understanding. Together, we are building a resource that honours the many ways people seek meaning, connection, and hope, while encouraging us all to participate in the ongoing work of creating a better world.