#473 | David Jackoway | Separate Values and Covenants sections

Submission 473
David Jackoway
Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis (Indianapolis, IN) 3518

What is your suggestion or idea?

Split section C-2.2 into two sections, a Values section and a Covenant section. The Covenant statements would be removed from the Values section and placed in the new Covenant section. The new section would be numbered C-2.3 and the subsequent would be renumbered appropriately. The new section would look like this:
Section C-2.3. Covenant.

Interdependence. We covenant to cherish Earth and all
beings by creating and nurturing relationships of care and respect. With
humility and reverence, we acknowledge our place in the great web of life, and
we work to repair harm and damaged relationships.

Pluralism. We covenant to learn from one another in
our free and responsible search for truth and meaning. We embrace our
differences and commonalities with Love, curiosity, and respect.

Justice. We covenant to dismantle racism and all
forms of systemic oppression. We support the use of inclusive democratic
processes to make decisions.

Transformation. We covenant to collectively transform
and grow spiritually and ethically. Openness to change is fundamental to our
Unitarian and Universalist heritages, never complete and never perfect.

Generosity. We covenant to freely and compassionately
share our faith, presence, and resources. Our generosity connects us to one
another in relationships of interdependence and mutuality.

Equity. We covenant to use our time, wisdom,
attention, and money to build and sustain fully accessible and inclusive
communities.

What is the reason for your amendment idea?

In its charge to the Commission the UUA Board asked the Commission to make the new Article II memorable. It is well known that many UUs may be able to remember the 1st and 7th principles but have trouble with the ones in between. The proposed Values and Covenant section bundles a one sentence description of each value with a one or two sentence covenant statement. This combination makes the values wordy and difficult to remember. By putting the value descriptions in one section and the value covenants in their own section it will achieve the goal of making the value statements memorable.

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

I raised this idea in a sermon I gave on Article II (as a lay member) and received favorable feedback from several members of the congregations. I also co-facilitated a webinar on Article II for small congregations of the MidAmerica Region and again received a positive response to the idea.