Seven or Eight Pieces of Mike’s Mind…
Statements are in the air. Organizations, companies, denominations, unions, and more are putting out statements about where they stand on matters of racial justice, Black Lives Matter, police brutality, and civil protest. It’s good to see.
Perhaps the core statement of our faith tradition is our covenant, known as the (seven) Principles and Purposes of Unitarian Universalism:
- We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote:
- The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
- Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
- Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
- A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
- The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
- The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
- Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
There is a movement afoot to add an eighth principle to this list:
- 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.
You can learn more about this at www.8thprincipleuu.org
First Unitarian Denver is also considering a statement. You are aware that we initiated a process to articulate a new Congregational Covenant this year. After a thorough process of gathering and compiling feedback, our Covenant Task force has proposed:
I will listen to you. I will make space for you. I will include you.
Together we will be a community of love, respect, and justice.
Together we will learn about white supremacy culture to create an equitable congregation.
Together we will protect the vulnerable.
When we fall out of covenant, we will call each other back in.
Please read through the recommendation letter, elsewhere in this issue of the Ploughshare. I will be speaking about this in the Sunday morning worship service on July 12th.
Hope to see you there!
Mike