Join Libby Earle in an examination of the reasons for supporting an 8th Principle: We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: Journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.
Every fifteen years Unitarian Universalists review our Bylaws which state the reason for our existence and our core principles, their sources, and our values. The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) has been engaged in this process since 2006. This examination has been difficult, beginning with an independent commission’s proposed changes not being sent to the 2010 General Assembly (GA), and coming to a head with the resignation of the UUA President and two other top UUA Board members following accusations of racial discrimination in hiring practices. In 2017 the Commission on Institutional Change was formed. The Commission’s thorough and sensitive work of auditing the power structures and analyzing systemic racism and white supremacy culture with the UUA resulted in their 2020 report: “Widening the Circle of Concern.” The report clearly identified racism, which is systemically embedded in a national culture of white supremacy, as something that is all too easy for white people to ignore, thus keeping racism alive and well. The 8th Principle calls us to center this issue in order to build Beloved Community. Some form of it will be presented to the 2022 GA in June. Service Leader: Jennifer Blue. RE: Activities and preparation for May 22nd service. Note, there is no need to RSVP for in-person services.