A Month of Commentary
We are seeking four to five guest contributors who would like to submit a commentary on the recent vote to implement Article II in the Unitarian Universalist Association. We would like to publish a weekly Commentary starting July 7.
We are seeking Commentary on
- Reflections on the recent June General Assembly
- The implications at the national level of the adoption of this new bylaw
- Thoughts on upcoming changes by the Bylaws Renewal Team
- Decisions by local congregations – continue with Seven Principles or change to Six Values
- Speculation on whether congregations will dis-associate with UUA
- Or any topic you believe would add value to the national discourse
If you would like to submit a Commentary of 850 to 1,000 words, please do so in Microsoft Word (or other similar formats) directly to fifthprincipleproject@gmail.com. Our professional editor may edit your work to be consistent with our style guide. We will not alter any key points in your work.
The Fifth Principle Project would like as many Commentaries as possible. Selection of works to avoid duplication may be required.
UU the Conversation Apology
Dear Fellow UU’s
We had 212 people register for our Post GA Town Hall. Unfortunately, the attendee extension we paid for was not properly implemented by Zoom and we were only able to accommodate 100 participants. We are very sorry for this. Fortunately, the meeting was recorded and you are welcome to view the recording at your convenience via this link.
The outpouring of interest in this topic is notable. Please continue to visit UUtheConversation.org, FifthPrincipleProject.org, Savethe7Principles.org and consider joining uu-inter-congregation-discussion-list@googlegroups.com to stay connected with those of us who feel the same way.
Two Important Things
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Join the Fifth Principle Project. It’s free. The Fifth Principle Project is an organic grassroots initiative to gather into community Unitarian Universalists who want to reinvigorate the right of conscience and renew the democratic process in the governing of our denomination.
When 80 per cent of UUs voted to replace the seven principles with ambiguous feel-good words, it was clear this wasn’t a group of people I need to be associated with. The UUA will continue for a while, supported by folks who esteem feel-good words. Its ultimate collapse need not affect individuals and individual congregations that value principles. They can continue, without missing anything of value.
I think you are right about small congregations that can continue, but the larger picture is bleak! It really spells the end of a liberal church. It’s true that it is now a social justice institution. The acceptance at 91%! of the Business Resolution was a symbol of that ! The words” holy” and “ divine” for a small part of UU’s is actually offensive and credal ! We are not a credal
religion !
It’s not 80 percent of UUs, but 80 percent of delegates in an undemocratic process. Most delegates are not elected or representative of their congregations, but vote whatever way they personally choose. The UUA’s own 2009 report said this.
AND, why was the voting on the final Article II extended beyond the block of time set for that vote to take place? Was the motion failing at that time?
In one sense … the UUA has left us. Really. Might be worth considering. SEE: the UMC/GMC schism for more details. UUA has not been providing UU churches with quality candidates for … decades?? … which is one key source for JETPIG. Let them go … stick together … keep the SEVEN and the SIX … pack up and continue on. They need us more than we need them. Really.
Agree.The UUA has such a hard time even supplying congregations with ministers, and many of the ministers are short-lived. Ministers are the only real direct connection most congregations have with the UUA in Boston, and the only direct influence the UUA has on congregations. The UUA in proverbial Boston is increasingly making itself its own island unto itself and separating itself from most laity and congregations across the country that may eventually go on their merry own way. GA and its decision-making are neither democratic nor representative of laity or congregations’ members. My congregation neither voted on the bylaws rewrite… Read more »
Hi, I am wondering why no one has answered my repeated requests to be in touch with the ministers’ group. It’s starting to be almost comical, and an interesting experience of being blackballed for no apparent reason. Cheers, Rev. Amanda Aikman
I don’t understand exactly what you are saying. To be in touch with the minister’s groups about what? Where you blackballed?
It’s basically like a very high-dollar divorce, where all the UUA got was the name, “Unitarian Universalism” – and that will now have a new meaning – and we got everything else! And Anna is so right about the non-representative-ness of the GA vote I’ll repost her comment here, as realizing this is so important: “It’s not 80 percent of UUs, but 80 percent of delegates in an undemocratic process. Most delegates are not elected or representative of their congregations, but vote whatever way they personally choose. The UUA’s own 2009 report said this”! What we got in the divorce:… Read more »
Heads up: Check your church’s bylaws to make sure they don’t say that if the church folds or leaves the UUA, all assets go to the UUA!
Maureen, thank you for raising this point about congregations checking their bylaws for restrictions that may be present. Also, check to determine if a called minister must be in fellowship with the UUA Ministerial Fellowship Committee. See our October 2023 Discussion post noting that a congregation is free to call any minister they wish. Withdrawing membership and dissolving are covered by two different sections in the UUA bylaws. Article III section C-3.6. states that “A member congregation upon written notification to the Association may withdraw from the Association at any time.” Rule 3.3.5 (f) states “A congregation should be incorporated when… Read more »
Many thanks, Terri, for that eloquent affirmation of individual agency.
Now that SCOTUS has endorsed the imperial presidency, it’s crystal clear we should have been dismantling authoritarianism all along.
Maybe it’s time for a 9th principle to realign our priorities with the existential demands of the day.
Resist UUA supremacy!
The post by “Lirigzon Gashi” was removed based on a user observation that the name was a link to a website that their software protection software noted was harmful.
Lirigzon Gashi
Normalmente eu não leio artigos em blogs, mas gostaria de dizer que este artigo me obrigou muito a dar uma olhada e fazê-lo. Seu estilo de escrita me surpreendeu. Obrigado, artigo muito bom