Submission 9
Matthew Johnson
The Unitarian Universalist Church (Rockford, IL) 3414
What is your suggestion or idea?
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 create and encourage new Unitarian Universalist communities, 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.
What is the reason for your amendment idea?
Our statements of purpose have always made the creation and support of new Unitarian Universalist communities a shared responsibility between the national association and local congregations. So many areas of the country don’t have enough – or any – of our communities. People in those places hunger for liberal, liberating, and life-giving faith connections. This should continue to be work we do as an association, and we should put it back in so it isn’t forgotten.
Have you discussed this idea with your congregation or other UUs?
Yes. I’ve talked with multiple other colleagues who have strongly supported this goal.