Unitarian Universalism in the United States is relatively young as religions go. Both Unitarians and Universalists got their start in this country in the early 1800s, and since their associations joined together in 1961 their approach has continued to evolve.
The point of Unitarian Universalism today is for each individual to learn to care for their own spirit, learn to embody wisdom and compassion in daily living, and learn to work together for the health of all humanity and the planet. It’s a religion that offers people the freedom to find what kinds of spiritual practices work best for them individually even as members work toward common goals.