Article II Study Commission https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission/blog Pages tagged as Article II Study Commission from UUA.org. en https://www.uua.org/files/styles/max_992x992/public/logos/uua_logo_gradient_on_white.png?itok=zTEG1IXI Article II Study Commission https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission/blog Frequently Asked Questions: Article II Study and Revisions https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission/blog/faq Answers to frequently asked questions about the Article II study and recommended revisions. ]]> Frequently Asked Questions: Article II Study and Revisions

The Unitarian Universalists Association’s (UUA) Article II Study Commission, Board of Trustees, and Administration and Staff have received a lot of questions regarding the Article II study and proposed revisions. We have curated this list of answers to some of the frequently asked questions.

What is Article II? Why is it in the bylaws?

Massachusetts General Law Part I Title XXII Chapter 180 Section 17 requires bylaws define the purposes to which the funds of the corporation may be applied. Article II of the Unitarian Universalist Association bylaws defines that purpose for the Association.

As a membership organization of congregations, Article II has historically included the purpose for which congregations freely choose to be in relationships with one another through their Association. In 1961, this purpose was a dedication to key objectives, from 1985 to today it has been a covenant to affirm and promote a set of principles.

Article II of the bylaws of the Unitarian Universalist Association, contains four sections. A definition of the purpose of the Association, the Principles and the Sources (currently), an Inclusion clause, and a Freedom of Belief clause. Only the purpose is required by Massachusetts law.

What is the history of previous changes to Article II since 1961 consolidation creating the Unitarian Universalist Association?

The UU World wrote an article (UUWorld) in 2000 that captures much of the history of Article II, and captured the original Purposes and Objectives (UUWorld) from 1961.

Why did the Board initiate this process now?

At the 2017 General Assembly, there were two proposed amendments to the principles brought through a petition process. The first was overwhelmingly adopted — to change “prophetic women and men” to “prophetic people” to move beyond gender binary. The second proposed changing the first principle from “the inherent worth and dignity of all people” to the “inherent worth and dignity of all beings.” This proposal was ultimately tabled as delegates grappled with the reality that we had more work to achieve the first principle for people, both in our world and Association, particularly in response to anti-Black racism.

At the same time as these conversations, the Eighth Principle movement was beginning and within a couple of years, hundreds of UU congregations had adopted it. The Eight Principle recognized the need to go beyond aspirational principles to articulate commitments to dismantle systems that reinforced oppression. It was within this wider context — witnessing the many efforts and conversations about our Principles and covenant that led the UUA Board to initiate a comprehensive review of Article II and appoint and charge an Article II Study Commission to lead this process for and with members, leaders and congregations.

Why change Article II now?

Unitarian Universalism is a living tradition that learns and adapts to meet the needs of each generation. It’s been nearly 40 years since a comprehensive review and revision of Article II. The digital age has shifted our interactions with community and truth. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted our interdependence, and where individualism falls short. There is a rise in global autocracies and attacks on democratic institutions, and climate catastrophe and mass extinctions threaten the delicate balance of the web of life. These are just a few of the major struggles our living tradition must face today and in our future. With the articulation of our shared UU values, we can be better equipped to make values based decisions in facing these new and evolving realities.

Who selected the commissioners?

The members of the Article II Study Commission were appointed by the UUA Board of Trustees in the Spring and Summer of 2020. The UUA bylaws calls for the Board to appoint a study commission to amend Article II.

The Board was intentional in trying to create a diverse group of Unitarian Universalists of various ages, genders, and including both religious professionals and lay people. They intentionally appointed Paula Cole Jones, one of the co-authors of the 8th Principle, to the Study Commission so that the work of grassroots momentum and work of the 8th principle would be incorporated in any revision to Article II. Additionally, they intentionally recruited UU youth to be on the Study Commission, with the hopes that any changes would speak not just today but into the future, just as the work of the 1985 revisions has proved important for the development of our faith.

Why are we only just hearing about this?

It is up to the leaders of our congregations to share information that they receive from the UUA. Congregational leadership had the responsibility to determine whether to organize discussion sessions, give sermons/talks, put information in newsletters, etc. It is possible that your congregation’s leadership information has not been kept up to date. You can check your congregation’s information out on My UUA, you will need your congregation’s 5-digit code and password. Or email Nick Rafael (nrafeal@uua.org), our Congregational Data Administrator. Further, GA delegates from congregations are expected to share GA business with their membership. The Study Commission, the UUA Board, or the UUA staff can only encourage, not dictate the dissemination of information. If you feel you’re not being kept informed, make sure to follow updates in the UUWorld magazine or consider signing up for your regional newsletter.

How did the Commission work with congregations?

Congregational leadership was a critical stakeholder in this process. The Study Commission provided resource materials for congregations to use in facilitating discussions about the purpose and values of the UUA. The elected and professional leadership of congregations receive regular communications from the UUA, including periodic updates about opportunities to engage with the Article II Study Commission.

In 2021, congregations were invited to submit their covenants, purposes, values, and mission statements, during the annual certification completed by all congregations. These were used in generating the initial lists of shared values presented at General Assembly 2021. In General Session the Article II Study Commission presented annually on its learnings and held workshops at the 2021 and 2022 General Assemblies. Congregational delegates provided the Study Commission with feedback through surveys both years and a responsive resolution in 2021.

Why was it called the Article II Study Commission and not something “catchier”?

The current amendment process for Article II is governed by Article XV of the UUA bylaw, adopted in 1998. Article XV calls the body appointed by the Board of Directors to review and recommend revisions to Article II, the Study Commission.

What is the process for considering and adopting the Article 2 Study Commission’s proposal for Article 2 revisions?

Details about the amendment and voting process are available on the Article II Study Commission website.

Where do I send my suggestions for proposed changes to the A2SC proposal?

The Article II Study Commission has completed its study, and its proposed revisions have been placed on the General Assembly 2023 agenda. Changes to the proposal must be submitted through the General Assembly amendment process.

Why did the proposal do away with the word “principles”? If this passes, what happens to the principles?

The Commission spent a long time studying and analyzing the current version of Article II. What became clear was that we don’t explicitly name the values that we share, and that our covenant does not have enough verbs.

Shared values are what hold any organization together, and we often speak of our shared values without naming them. We asked Unitarian Universalists what were the values we shared. We took the many answers we received and synthesized them into the values in our draft. After our first draft was released we changed one of the named values from Evolution to Transformation.

We created a covenant related to each of our named values, as well as a very brief description of the values. The covenant has many verbs and is stated in broad enough language so as to allow congregations to find their way to live into our shared values.

If the revision of Article II is adopted as currently written, the UUA Principles will no longer be incorporated in the UUA bylaws. We anticipate congregations and individuals will continue to utilize the UUA Principles alongside the newly articulated shared UUA Values, as previous covenants and statements of commonly held beliefs are used within their historical context today.

Why did the proposal not include any of the sources?

We are aware that many value the current list of Sources, and that many do not see their sources of inspiration reflected in that list. Nothing in what we propose contradicts this list nor leaves any out. All of our sources of inspiration and experiences of the transcending mystery and wonder can not be captured in a list, but are understood within the context of sacred and secular understandings old and new. We felt a better use of the Bylaws would be to articulate what our inspirations do and how we should approach any source of inspiration, and leave the naming of sources and histories of the impact of specific sources on Unitarian Universalism to lifespan faith curriculum. We tie our sources of inspiration explicitly to our values and to the practices of cultural respect.

Is covenant a new idea?

Leader Resource 1: A History of Covenant

From Faith Like a River

The free church tradition of which we are a part does not offer up a creed, a certain set of beliefs, that everyone must accept in order to belong to the community. Instead, the boundaries of our community are determined by commitment and participation. Our central question is not “What do we…

Leader Resource 1: A History of Covenant

No, the idea of covenant is not new to Unitarian Universalism; in fact the current language of Article II begins with the words “We the member congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to …”Unitarian Universalism is a covenantal, not a creedal, Faith. There is no belief requirement, or creed, that you have to say to join us in community, even though there are beliefs that we would consider to be outside the boundaries of our faith. Our covenants amongst congregations and within congregations, are the way in which we practice our religion together, and they are aspirational descriptions of how we want to be in the world.

Are there governance changes that will happen for congregations or the UUA because of the changes proposed to Article II? Will these proposed revisions create other changes around congregational polity?

The Unitarian Universalists Association Board of Trustees asked legal counsel to review the Article II Study Commission proposal. Legal counsel found nothing in the proposed changes to Article II, that would change UUA governance nor its relationship to its member congregations. The structure of congregational polity in our governance including democratic practices, congregational call of ministers, the self-governance of congregations and their fiscal independence are delineated in other articles of the UUA Bylaws.

Why worthiness?

We’re dealing with a past in which monetary worth was assigned to human beings. “Worthiness” is more explicit that we are talking about the quality of being worthy. Definition “quality of being good enough.” We are all good enough as we are. Worth can be monetized. People were and still are being monetized. That definition of worth is not the original intention; for people who have a history of their people being monetized. Worthiness can never be monetized. We are all worthy of love, respect, dignity, kindness, compassion and care.

When will the UUA start creating things based on the new proposal? e.g. Will we get a new children’s song for our values? What about a rainbow bookmark?

UUA Staff are in the preliminary stages of developing lifespan faith formation curriculum, informational and advertising material, worship resources, and branding swag. We will be better able to develop these resources after the amendment process and first vote at General Assembly 2023 clarifies the language going into 2024. After the adoption of Seven Principles in 1985, which was a significant change from the previous Purposes and Objectives, many new resources and songs were created both by the UUA and religious professionals within our congregations.

How does the 8th Principle work with Article II? Our congregation is workingon passing the 8th principle… should we stop?

8th Principle Adoption & Proposed Article II Changes: How are They Related?

The Commission has always supported the work of the 8th Principle Project community and encourages congregations to continue working to adopt it as a part of a congregational commitments. The proposed language for the revised Article II takes language directly from the 8th Principle and has incorporated its sentiments in the covenant.

Is this a creed or dogma?

It is neither, it is a covenant, an agreement, that our congregations enter into freely and willingly when they choose to be members of the Association. We historically have been and will continue to be non-creedal, we are covenantal.

Throughout the history of the Universalists and Unitarians there has been a balancing act between naming our common purpose and beliefs, and freedom from creedalism and dogmatic thinking. To answer this question we must first understand these two terms. A creed, or profession of belief, is a brief authoritative formula of religious belief, according to Merriam-Webster, while dogma is a principle or position or the body of principles concerning faith or morals formally stated and authoritatively proclaimed by a church.

Article II of the UUA bylaws includes a covenant between congregations and not individuals. It provides a framework for why the member congregations choose freely to be in association with one another, and this framework is open to continuous review, revision and/or restatement. Article II and the covenant between congregations, in the form of principles or values, is not a profession of faith, but rather a statement of purpose, that opens our congregations to people who profess many beliefs and hold to different formulas of religious belief.

Our periodic process of renewal of covenant and purpose, prevents us from allowing ourselves to become stagnant in our statements of what is held in common among us. We resist dogmatic thinking by being open to the idea that what we understand as foundational truths today may be stated and understood differently tomorrow.

Is this meant to be used as a personal code or set of commitments?

Article II is the purpose of the Association and commitments of its member congregations to each other. It should inform our congregational and associational life, but is not written to be a personal code or set of commitments.

The Freedom of Belief clause expressly prohibits any creedal test of membership in our congregations. While these are our shared values, no one must swear or attest to them to become a member.

What is the definition of Love that you’re using here?

We mean the type of love known as Agape. It is the selfless love of the neighbor, the friend and even the enemy. It asks for nothing in return. More than a noun, love is a verb. It is creating justice. It is transforming our world. It is being generous of our spirit and resources. It is knowing we are all interdependent. It is upholding everyone’s dignity and worthiness. It is celebrating our many differences. It is deeds not creeds.

What about my individual freedom of belief?

Article II of the UUA bylaws is the purpose of the Association and covenant between it’s member congregations. The freedom of belief clause prohibits member congregations from infringing on the individual’s right to conscience, through the establishment of particular creeds. This prohibition on the establishment of creeds applies also to the Association, as an extension of its member congregations.

“Section C-2.5. Freedom of belief. Congregational freedom and the individual’s right of conscience are central to our Unitarian Universalist heritage. Congregations may establish statements of purpose, covenants, and bonds of union so long as they do not require that members adhere to a particular creed.”

Why are the values in the order you chose?

They are not in any particular order as we were clear not to privilege one value over another. There is no first value, or third, etc. They are interdependent and inseparable from each other. We had to put them on paper in some order but it was totally random.

Why this values/covenant format?

Feedback the Study Commission received about the current covenant is that it did not have enough action items. Articulation of our shared values offers officers and staff of our Association a tool to make values based decisions in service of its member congregations and communities. Tying these values to the covenant held between congregations, names how we take these values into our congregational life and the world beyond.

What do you mean by “we are accountable to one another?”

Dreaming Accountability by Mia Mingus

What if we cherished opportunities to take accountability as precious opportunities to practice liberation? To practice love? To practice the kinds of people, elders-to-be, and souls we want to be? To practice that which we can only practice in real time? After all, we can only practice courage when we are afraid. We can only practice taking accountability when we have wronged or harmed or hurt. Practice yields the sharpest analysis.

Dreaming Accountability

It is not the role of the Unitarian Universalist Association to police congregations, it is part of our agreement with one another that we will help each other in living into our values. Accountability is saying that we are congregations with integrity, that hold ourselves to the commitments and values we express to the world, informed by the relationships we build within our walls and beyond.

The UUA Board of Trustees, the Article II Study Commission, and the UUA Administration can not impose covenants and commitments, or tell congregations or individuals what to do. Congregations, through their delegates, vote on what values they share and what they can agree to do together.

Why single out racism, and not name sexism, ableism, and cisheterosexism?

The Unitarian Universalist Association has made many commitments to confront powers and structures systemic oppression over the decades, and many Unitarian Universalists are active in dismantling such systems with our institutions and the broader world. One such commitment has been particularly hard to see through, the dismantling of institutional racism and white supremacy culture. The UUA has had many starts and stops in this work, as the discomfort facing race generates, garners great pushback from the dominant culture. We are being called not to turn away this time, to make it explicit that we hold ourselves accountable to systemic anti-racist and anti-oppressive actions to build Beloved Community. Antiracism itself is an intersectional commitment to dismantling sexism, ableism, and cisheterosexism.

]]> Mon, 20 Mar 2023 10:55:06 -0400 https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission/blog/faq Article II Study Report https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-II-study-commission/blog/article-II-report Article II Study Commission Square
The Article II Study Commission has completed its two year study. The attached report is submitted to the Board of Trustees with the recommend revisions to Article II.
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cover of A2SC's Jan 2023 report to UUA BoT

Summarizing two years of work with UU individuals, groups and leaders, this report offers a proposed new draft of Article II of the UUA Bylaws.

The Article II Study Commission has completed its two year study. The attached report is submitted to the Board of Trustees with the recommend revisions.

]]> Tue, 17 Jan 2023 17:53:27 -0500 https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-II-study-commission/blog/article-II-report Article II Study Commission Draft Feedback Sessions https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission/blog/draft-feedback Article II Study Commission Square
The Article II Study Commission is scheduling ten Zoom sessions at various times for people to look at draft language and discuss it.
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The Article II Study Commission is excited to share a full draft of Article II (PDF, 3 Pages) for feedback. The Study Commission’s outreach team will be hosting Zoom feedback sessions in the first half of November, along with gathering feedback through an online Google form for individual comments.

The Study Commission will present its final draft to the Board in January for inclusion on the agenda for General Assembly 2023. It will then be the subject of mini-Assemblies before the initial vote at GA 2023. If it passes that delegate vote by a majority, it will require a 2/3 majority vote at GA 2024 to become the new Article II of the Bylaws.

This draft makes significant changes to Article II. We invite you to read it using one of the practices we have started following in our work:

  1. Read it the first time to observe how it makes you feel.
  2. Read a second time, observe what it makes you think.
  3. Finally read it a third time before thinking about any suggestions.

It will be ideal if you can utilize the online form over email to share individual feedback as it more easily gathered and read. But do feel free to direct questions to changemanager@uua.org

Zoom Feedback Session Registration

]]> Thu, 15 Sep 2022 21:49:46 -0400 https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission/blog/draft-feedback Getting Involved with the Article II Study https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission/blog/get-involved Reimagining Article 2 Small Group Ministry Guide Square
Get involved in the Article II Study Commission’s work, participate in these resources and provide your feedback.
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The Article II Study Commission is ramping up its input gathering efforts as we approach the 2022 General Assembly. What’s Article II? It’s the section of the UUA bylaws that serves as the home of our Principles and Sources, the UUA’s Purposes, our Inclusion clause, and Freedom of Belief Statement. As a living faith, we must regularly revisit the documents that guide us to be sure they match our values and commitments. During this period of reflection, the Study Commission is connecting with Unitarian Universalists throughout the Association to hear from you about what—if any—changes to Article II might lead us boldly into the future.

The feedback gathered over the past year, through the 2022 General Assembly, provides valuable insight for the Commissioners who will be entering the writing phase of this process in the Fall of 2022. The Study Commission needs your input on key themes related to its work, and has developed conversational resources and opportunities for reflection. After you have participated in reflection with your local community or attended a theological panel discussion, listed below, the Article II Study Commission invites you to share your reflections through the Article II Individual Survey (Google Form).

Congregational and Community Resources

Article II Study Resources Square

The Article II Study Commission has rolled out a number of resources that can be used at the local level to engage your congregation or community in the decrement of our Association’s Purposes and Principles. Two of these programs are geared towards youth and young adults, including a dinner church kit and a workshop on covenant. For small group ministries, a six-week program is available. If you are looking for a more informal activity, the Study Commission has put together a set of slides, with prompting questions that can be used in settings like coffee hour. Access to all of these programs and activities are free. Visit our Congregation and Community Resources page (linked), to download these materials.

The Article II Study Commission has also partnered with UU Wellspring to bring an 8-session program for small groups in congregations. The program follows a UU Wellspring session format with pre-readings and videos paired with reflection questions to allow for a meaningful experience as participants delve deeply into the meaning and impact of Article II. To access UU Wellspring materials or just investigate whether the program is right for your group, complete the Facilitator Interest form (Google Form).

Theological Panel Series

The Article II Study Commission is hosting several public conversations, bring together a panel of speakers and ask them a few questions on a theme. Those in attendance are provided a survey link to think further on the questions being discussed to provide the Study Commission with their thoughts.

Last year, a panel was hosted one on the topic of covenant, featuring Rev. Bill Sinkford, Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, and Rev. Meredith Garmon.

In Spring 2022, several of these conversations planned:

A Conversation on Covenant Part 2: January 27, 2022
4:30pm PT / 5:30pm MT / 6:30pm CT / 7:30pm ET

What does it mean to be in covenant? How do we handle the mutual accountability of living in love? What do we need from our shared agreements now and in the future?This conversation will feature an array of voices discussing how covenant figures in our ever-growing faith: Rev. Mykal Slack from BLUU, Dandi Prinsloo from the DRUUM steering committee, Elizabeth Foster with EqUUal Access, and Juniper Meadows, former steering committee member for TRUUsT.

A Conversation on Purpose: Thursday, March 24, 2022
5:00pm PT / 6:00pm MT / 7:00pm CT / 8:00pm ET

What is our mission as Unitarian Universalists? What are called to do in the world? How do we, as individuals and as an organization, answer that call?

A Conversation on Inspiration: Date tbd
5:00pm PT / 6:00pm MT / 7:00pm CT / 8:00pm ET

What are our founts of inspiration? Where have we drawn them from, how have they developed in our history as a faith, and which ones speak to us now?

A Conversation on Values: Date tbd
5:00pm PT / 6:00pm MT / 7:00pm CT / 8:00pm ET

What shared values do we have as a faith? What common dreams need to be reflected in a new Article II?

Open “Office Hours”

The Article II Study Commission want to hear what questions you have about the process of studying—and possibly revising—Article II. Join the Study Commission Monday, February 28 & March 28, to ask any questions you have about the process and how you might be involved in the work! All are welcome, and asked to register in advance at the links below. Hope to see you there!

Saturday, May 14, 2022
1:00pm PT / 2:00pm MT / 3:00pm CT / 4:00pm ET
Join May 14 Office Hours Zoom meeting.

Monday, May 23, 2022
1:00pm PT / 2:00pm MT / 3:00pm CT / 4:00pm ET
Join May 23 Office Hours Zoom meeting.

]]> Sat, 22 Jan 2022 14:03:28 -0500 https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission/blog/get-involved The Article II Study Commission and the 8th Principle https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission/blog/8thprinciple Article II Study Commission A Conversation on 8th Principle Square
A statement from the Article II Study Commission on its work and its relationship to the 8th Principle Project.
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Article II Study Commission A Conversation on 8th Principle Banner
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The Commission’s Statement

Unitarian Universalism is no stranger to movements that call for racial justice both within and beyond our institutions. Over and over again, pockets of people have worked to say racism is a problem, racism is a problem *for us,* and that we are committed to fighting racism and other oppressions. In 1997, the General Assembly voted to commit to intentionally becoming an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, multicultural institution. Yet, almost 25 years later, we continue to fall short of our commitments and promises.

When the 8th Principle project began, it addressed something vital that had been missing in our UU movement, namely that anti-racism and anti-oppression must be central to congregational life and our community building. The mammoth project of fostering conversation within congregations and other communities, and then calling on those communities to make an explicit statement in the form of the “8th Principle” has become a true groundswell within Unitarian Universalism. The text of the 8th Principle says “We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse and multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.” In this way, thousands of Unitarian Universalists have become part of the real, fundamental work of anti-racism and anti-oppression in our own communities.

The process of examining and possibly revising Article II of the UUA Bylaws is a scheduled effort of the UUA Board, demanded by the bylaws themselves. The Study Commission, who has been charged with making a proposal to the UUA Board in January of 2023, has tremendous respect for what the 8th Principle movement has accomplished—and is accomplishing within UU communities. More than the language of the 8th Principle itself, we are moved by the ongoing conversations about what it means to be accountable to each other, and how we must—through our actions—take on the work of anti-racism and anti-oppression as an inextricable part of our Unitarian Universalist faith.

And so, though the task we have been charged with is larger than the specifics of the 8th Principle, we understand these ideals to be at the very heart of our work and very much part of the direction we are journeying. We understand the work we are doing to be building on the strengths of the 8th Principle movement. Whatever flowers grow from the process of engaging UUs in this reimagining, the seeds sown by the 8th Principle project will surely bloom brightly.

Article II Study Commission and the 8th Principle
]]> Thu, 24 Jun 2021 13:58:03 -0400 https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission/blog/8thprinciple Article II Study Commission at General Assembly 2021 https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission/blog/a2sc-ga2021 Virtual UUA General Assembly, June 23-27-2021, Circle 'Round for Justice, Healing, Courage.
Learn more about the Article II Study Commission’s schedule at the UUA 2021 Virtual General Assembly.
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UUA General Assembly, June 23-27, 2021, Circle 'Round for Justice, Healing, Courage
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This year the Article II Study Commission has been engaged in shaping and framing General Assembly 2021, “Circle ‘Round for Justice, Healing, and Courage.” You are invited to join the Commission’s various activities and workshops at General Assembly 2021 to learn about its work and to share in it.

Commission Programming

ARTICLE II ON THE VUU #337

Thursday, June 17th, 11:00 AM CDT

Members of the Article II Study Commission will be joining the hosts of the Church of the Larger Fellowship’s podcast, The VUU, for a special pre-General Assembly episode on the work of the Commission and this year’s focus on covenant and purpose.

GENERAL SESSION II

Thursday, June 24th, 2:30 PM CDT

The Article II Study Commission will close out the second General Session with an update on its work over the last year. Delegates will then be invited into breakout rooms to engage with questions presented by the Commission.

STORYING OUR PRINCIPLES

Friday, June 25th, 4:00 PM CDT

Each of the 7 Principles is the result of a key development in the history of our faith. Come revisit these moments as we work together to tell the story of our Principles.

Workshop Led by Gregory C. Carrow-Boyd, MEd, CRE-ML

WHAT WE PROMISE EACH OTHER

Saturday, June 26th, 4:00 PM CDT

Covenant lies at the heart of our faith: a shared agreement on how we should be together. We a covenant, promises to one another as member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association. As we think about what we need from a revised Article II, we want to ask: What do we need to promise to each other now, starting the 3rd decade of the 21st century, and going forward? How do we covenant in a way that leads us into the fullness of who we can be as a faith?

Workshop led by Article II Study Commissioners

Office Hours

If you have questions about the work of the Commission or need a little more information, we invite you to stop by the UUA Article II Study Commission Virtual Booth in the exhibit hall to speak with a Commissioner, Thursday, June 24th and Saturday June 26th between 7:30 PM and 8:30 PM CDT or Friday, June 25th between 11 AM and Noon CDT.

]]> Thu, 10 Jun 2021 14:50:45 -0400 https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission/blog/a2sc-ga2021 A Conversation on Covenant: An Article II Study Commission Panel https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission/blog/covenant-panel Square Article II Study Commission: A Conversation on Covenant
Members if the Article II Study Commission facilitated a conversation on the subject of covenant between Rev. Meredith Garmon, Rev. Bill Sinkford, former UUA President and current UUA President Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick Gray.
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Covenant lies at the heart of our faith: a shared agreement on how we should be together. Our religion is made from an ongoing, interlocking, and organically growing series of promises we make with our communities, congregations, and the world. Article II contains, among other things, the covenant that our congregations make with each other, a covenant that forms the Unitarian Universalist Association, to uphold principles that shape our understanding of how to be Unitarian Universalists.

As we think about what we need from a revised Article II, we want to ask: What do we need to promise to each other now, starting the 3rd decade of the 21st century, and going forward? How do we covenant in a way that leads us into the fullness of who we can be as a faith?

Members if the Article II Study Commission facilitated this conversation between Rev. Meredith Garmon, Rev. Bill Sinkford, former UUA President and current UUA President Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick Gray.

]]> Tue, 25 May 2021 17:25:15 -0400 https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission/blog/covenant-panel Conversations with Satya Mamdani: The Eighth Principle Project https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission/blog/conversation-eight-principle-project Square A2SC Conversations with Satya Mamdani - Eighth Principle Project
Commissioner Satya Mamdani interviews fellow Commissioner Paula Cole Jones on the history of the 8th Principle Project, and its connection to the work of the Article II Study Commission.
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Commissioner Satya Mamdani, of the Article II Study Commission, hosts a series of conversations with members of our Unitarian Universalist community about what brings us together as a religious community and how we commit to being together. In this first interview Satya interviews her fellow commissioner, Paula Cole Jones, on the history of the 8th Principle Project, and how it impacts the work of the Article II Study Commission.

]]> Fri, 02 Apr 2021 20:28:15 -0400 https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission/blog/conversation-eight-principle-project What Brings Us Together: Love as a Common Theological Core https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission/blog/love-common-theological-core Banner What Brings Us Together: Love as a Common Theological Core Square
We respond to the call of love because it is our common theological core. It is what can and does motivate us and illuminates our deepest commitments to each other.
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The Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Association shared this reflection on love, with along with the charge to the Article II Study Commission. The Article II Study Commission shares it with you, with the invitation to reflect on how love shapes you and your communal life.

Love as a Common Theological Core

In calling for this commission to root itself in a shared, core theological value, we—the Board—are asking the question “what is it that lies behind all the statements of principles that we agree to as our common associational points of covenant?” What lies beneath the principles, on which a commission can re-envision and re-articulate the ideas that are expressed currently in our existing principles and include, potentially, other ideas put forth to be considered for that restated covenant?

Asserting that there is such a commonality is bold; it potentially flies in the face of the Commission on Appraisal’s 2005 Report, “Engaging Our Theological Diversity,” which failed to identify such a core in its conclusion.

We hold that the Commission did not fail to identify that core, only to recognize it at the time, as our theological core.

In its report, it cites Robert Miller’s study of Unitarian Universalism, stating “UUs ranked loving as an instrumental value and mature love as a terminal value more highly than did respondents from other groups, religious and nonreligious.”

UUs were more likely, even before 2005, to assert the importance of love than any other group, religious or nonreligious. And this was before the campaign now known as Side with Love began. Since that time, we have seen and heard expressions of love, and displays of love-in-action, by UUs.

We assert that our deepest common theological grounding and value is this: Love.

We find it peeking through the words of the currently existing Principles. We see it in our insistence on the worth and dignity of every person (and the calls by some that this insistence needs to extend to all other beings, as well). We see it in the call for demanding and embodying justice, equity, and compassion in human relations. We hear it in our urging of acceptance of one another and our support for each person’s spiritual growth. We discern an accountable love in our call for a responsible search for truth and meaning. Our affirmation of the right of conscience, and the right of every individual to participate in shaping those institutions that govern them, displays a deep respect and love for every person. We hold up the goal of a peaceful, free, and just world community as an expression of what love can and should bring into being. And we believe that our call to respect the interdependent web that we are a part of is an articulation of love for all that is and our own place and role in that web.

We see love called out as what demands that we be active in our justice work and justice-making.

We note that our hymnals contain many assertions of what we aspire to, and what love can do, and be; “Let us build a home where love can dwell,” “Love will guide us,” and “we are answering the call of love” among them.

We respond to the call of love because it is our common theological core. It is what can and does motivate us and illuminates our deepest commitments to each other.

]]> Wed, 13 Jan 2021 23:57:41 -0500 https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission/blog/love-common-theological-core What Brings Us Together: Reflecting on the First Six Months of the Article II Study Commission https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission/blog/reflecting-first-six-months Square What Brings Us Together: Reflecting on the First Six Months of the Article II Study Commission
As your Article II Study Commission prepare to enter the next phase of its work, the commissioners share why they said yes to engage in this comprehensive study of what our new world requires.
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In every congregation or Unitarian Universalist community, you will find that nearly everyone knows what the UU Principles are (or where to look for them in the hymnal!) But not everyone knows that these Principles, Purposes, and Sources are part of the bylaws of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Even fewer know that this section of the bylaws, “Article II,” is set to be studied and revisions proposed every fifteen years.

The Principles and Purposes have been around as long as Unitarian Universalism has, but they’ve changed a good bit along the way. From the merger until the late 70s, UUs were asked to affirm “the dignity of man,” and the “ideals of brotherhood.” In this era, the bylaws used a single pronoun to reference all ministers: “he.” These days many of us barely remember a Unitarian Universalism that wasn’t replete with ministers of all genders. The UU World that these early Principles describe seems a strange planet indeed.

The beloved UU Principles, Purposes, and Sources we know now, which saw us through the end of the 20th century and into the 21st, were made possible by a changing world in which people who were excluded demanded space for themselves. In doing so, they made a better Unitarian Universalism possible.

As we have grown and changed within our living tradition since then, a few changes to Article II have been proposed. Some were accepted and others not. “Prophetic women and men” became “prophetic people” by vote of the General Assembly. The non-discrimination clause (also part of Article II) was amended to “Inclusion” and holds us newly accountable: “systems of power, privilege, and oppression have traditionally created barriers…”, we pledge to “replace such barriers with ever-widening circles of solidarity and mutual respect.”

When we grow and change, we must make new commitments and create new language to hold these commitments.

As your Article II Study Commission came together this summer, we began with formulating our own covenant: What are the promises we make to each other? We continued with our dreams: What is the future Unitarian Universalism of our imaginings? We discussed our scope: What is the work we are charged with and what is the work beyond our charge?

And now, as we prepare to enter the next phase of this work, we are getting ready to reach out to the wide and wonderful world of Unitarian Universalists, eager to build our new Article II together.

Our world is, indeed, a different one, even from just a handful of years ago. It would take more words than we have here to enumerate the challenges we face, and that many words again to sing of the beautiful, hard won shifts in our collective understandings.

The task at hand is to work together as Unitarian Universalists to craft an Article II that will enable our communities “to be a relevant and powerful force for spiritual and moral growth, healing, and justice,” in the words of the Commission’s charge, rooted in our broadest shared theological grounding: Love.

Just as UUs in the 70s and 80s rose up to be a wave of transformation for our faith, grassroots groups of UUs in recent years have begun to address insufficiencies in the current Article II with calls for change. Whether focused on the limitations of the first principle, the need for a better embodiment of a democratic process claimed by the fifth, amendments and clarifications for the seventh, or the truly great need for an eighth principle that holds us theologically accountable to dismantling racism and oppression, it’s time for a comprehensive study of what our new world requires.

This is vital, exciting work. YOU are invited to be a part of it. In the coming months, we will be reaching out to congregations, committees, professional organizations, affiliated communities, and individuals with a variety of avenues for every Unitarian Universalist to engage with this work. Even if “Article II” was unfamiliar to you before, we hope that you and your congregations and communities will all pick up a hammer and lend a hand in building this new way. We already have a foundation: Love. Let’s build together.

Take Action: Identity of a Community Scavenger Hunt

As the Article II Study Commission reflects on the purposes and principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association, the Commissioners will examine foundational identity documents of our member congregations and communities submitted through this year’s annual certification. What kind of statements has your local congregation or covenanted community made about its purpose in the world? Can you find the purpose, mission, ends, vision or aspiration statements of your local congregation or covenanted community? Dose your local congregation or covenanted community have a member covenant, or covenant between itself and other congregation and covenanted community in your area?

When you have found these statements that help define your local congregation or covenanted community, reflect on these questions: Where do these statements live (i.e. on the website, on the wall, in the bylaws, in their own documents)? Are there parts of the identity of your local congregation or covenanted community, that aren’t reflected in the Purposes and Principles of our Association? Do you feel what you have found calls you and your faith community “to be a relevant and powerful force for spiritual and moral growth, healing, and justice,” in our rapidly world?

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