#100 | Jonathan Tweet | Built to Serve

2023 Article II Amendment Idea Submissions Amendment Ideas
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Submission 100
Jonathan Tweet
University Unitarian Church (Seattle, WA) 8231

What is your suggestion or idea?

Purposes.
The Unitarian Universalist Association will devote its resources to and use its organizational powers for religious, educational, and humanitarian purposes. Its primary purposes are to assist congregations in their vital ministries, support and train leaders both lay and professional, to foster lifelong faith formation, to heal historic injustices, and to advance our Unitarian Universalist values in the world.

The purpose of the Unitarian Universalist Association is to actively engage its members in the transformation of the world through liberating Love serve the needs of member congregations.

What is the reason for your amendment idea?

The UUA was built to serve the needs of member congregations, and that’s what it should do. That’s congregational polity, and that’s liberal religion.

Have you discussed this idea with your congregation or other UUs?

Discussed in my congregation’s 4th Principle Dialogue Group and elsewhere

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I think your last sentence is all that is needed.

The opening sentence is “leftover” language from an earlier bylaw and does not add much value.

The second sentence that opens with “primary purpose” appears to overlap or contradict your last sentence. Much of what is said in the second sentence (train leaders both lay and professional, to foster lifelong faith formation, etc.) can and should be left at the congregational level. The Association can assist, but the real work is at the congregation level (IMO).

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