First, apologies for being remiss and not getting this out there last week. I woke up this morning realizing that “oh, I have a platform to reach more people!”
Second, for my non-Unitarian Universalist readers, this may or may not be of interest to you, especially if – like us – your denomination is going through your own interpersonal mess.
Now.. what this is about:
As a bit of background, Unitarian Universalists are non-credal, but we have for decades had a statement of purpose in our bylaws, which has been known by the word ‘principles’ (which, in a way, some people have used like a belief statement or creed). Our bylaws state that we must review this statement of purpose on a regular basis, and we… are shockingly late with our homework… but we are finishing it now, and oddly, this is making some of our members angry. Not because we didn’t do it, but because so much time has passed since we last looked at them, and how dare we change the statement that served them so well for so long (since 1987). Our proposal is to shift from a list of principles to a collection of values – and what’s more, we want them to better reflect who we are now and who we want to be in the next decade or so.
And some people are upset with that.
Like, trying to foment a split upset.
And it’s gotten ugly. There’s been an escalation of name calling, ad hominem attacks, and other negative language aimed at the Commission who has done the bulk of the work, as well as the president of the UUA and others who have spoken in favor of the changes. All of this has become even worse in the run up to the final vote, which happens this June.
Some of our beloveds have asked us to call for an end to the name-calling and negativity, and they’ve asked UUs to sign on in affirmation.
The letter, which speaks more specifically to what’s been happening and what we’re calling for, is linked here, and there is a separate form to add your name listed at the end of the document. If you’re UU, and you’re a faithful reader of this Substack, I hope you will see the value in affirmation goodness and kindness in our endeavor to live into our highest calling.
I’ve crossposted at the Hold My Chalice Substack, because I’ve got a number of readers there too, so…two platforms!
