Section C-2.2. Principles and Covenants. We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, articulate these Principles, and promise our mutual respect, trust, and support as we enter into and live these Covenants:
We acknowledge our place in the interdependent web of life, with humility and efforts toward harmony.
We recognize both the diversity of life and the inherent worth and dignity of each life;
We accept and encourage one another in our free and responsible searches for truth, meaning, spiritual growth, and loving actions;
We support the right of conscience and the use of inclusive democratic processes within our congregations and in society at large;
We practice justice, equity, and compassion in all our relationships;
We work to dismantle systemic oppressions, including racism, in ourselves and our institutions;
We give generously of our attention, time, talents and resources, as we adapt with the changing world.
We build beloved diverse communities, with the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all.
The following fifteen amendments also seek to add the current Article II, Section C-2.1 “Principles” (with some modifications) to the Proposed Revision: #2 - Kenneth Button #3 - Eric Burch #9 - Merridy McDaniel #29 Jim Hall #41 Dick Burckhart #44 Nancy Henley #84 Becky Sandman #49 Kara Stebbins #58 Patrick Deak #59 Lurine DeVos #61 Jan Radoslovich #66 Pablo deVos-Deak #78 Marsha Bates #79 Chris Stotler #83 Linda Richardson
To clarify, Amendment #49 is NOT Kara Stebbins, but rather Julie Welch.
More importantly, I want to state that I (and I think my congregation) support #83 because from my perspective, it changes the wording of the Principles as little as possible while also meeting the UUA Commission’s charge. I hope that by doing this, it means we could REPLACE Section 2.2 Values and Covenant with #83.
Linda, can you clarify whether or not that your is your intention in submitting this amendment?
Or do you want it to be inserted BEFORE Section 2.2 Values and Covenant?
My intention is to insert the 8 principles before the proposed new values. As the principles have been reworded to now include the values,
the values could be omitted. However, my primary purpose in submitting this is to achieve a compromise between those who feel strongly that the principles are an inseparable part of our UU identity, and those who embrace the proposed changes. To that end, I am comfortable with combining the 8 principles with the rest of the proposed changes.
How are you feeling about the suggestion of Eric Burch for 3 related Amendments and my suggestion for a 4th?
Eric’s 3 Amendments:
Do we want to add the existing Principles into the proposed Article II before the Values and Covenant?
If the Principles are re-added, do we want this list after the Values and Covenant section, rather than before?
If the Principles are re-added, do we want to add some additional historical context wording? (and the exact wording will be the subject of additional debate)
A 4th Amendment I would propose for consideration:
Do we want to modify the Principles to contain the ESSENTIAL elements of the Covenants, then DELETE the Values and Covenant section and/or edit it to be only about Values (and keep it as the Values section)?
Regarding Eric’s amendments, I think it makes the most sense to start section C.2 with the principles. If the values and covenants then follow the principles, adding historical context to the principles (briefly at the beginning) would be a good idea.
Amendment 85, Lyn Wagner, adds a covenant to each of the principles. I could live with that, but prefer to keep the principles closer to the original length. The values could be added after the principles. I think the covenants could be reduced to a condensed, inclusive statement covering all the principles.
That being said, I am flexible regarding an addition of values and covenants, as long as the 8 principles are preserved.
I agree with including the eight principles and would very much prefer that they either replace the values or are placed before the values.
We need concise statements to communicate clearly to persons of all ages, of different reading and comprehending English abilities, and in search of a place that would welcome them.
For those who favored or authored amendments that weren’t prioritized or presented: This forum is closing for comment tomorrow, but our lay-led public Facebook group, Blue Boat Passengers, will remain open for another few weeks for commenting (and still be viewable after that).
If you want to find people to coordinate with for the 15-congregation amendment process, you may use the group to do so while it remains open. There’s now a specific post for this in the group (“A post for those wishing to do the 15-congregation amendment process to coordinate”).
Please read both the rules and the pinned post about the pending suspension of the group before posting or commenting there.