Every Voice Deserves a Vote
Discussion Topics to inform individuals on the need to reinvigorate the right of conscience and renew the democratic process in the governing of our denomination.
I attended General Assembly as both a delegate from my congregation and as a candidate for UUA Trustee. To prepare for my role as a delegate, I attended two potluck dinner meetings with fellow congregants to hear what they had to say about the business at hand, especially about the Bylaws rewrite, and the work … Read more
Update on GA Elections Neither petition candidate was successful in their bid to win a seat on the UUA Board of Trustees. Rebecca Mattis, a UUA Board candidate, will provide a reflection in the next Fifth Principle Discussion post. About the Article II Study Commission At the Portland General Assembly, the Commission provided information on … Read more
Shortly after the UUA Board of Trustees established the Article II Study Commission charging it “to revise, replace, or restructure” all sections of Article II, the Fifth Principle Project requested to be a stakeholder. The Board identified other stakeholders such as DRUMM, BLUU, TRUUst, UU Humanists, 8th and 1st Principles advocates. Fifteen months later, we … Read more
It has been about two weeks since it was announced here that Beverly Seese and Rebecca Mattis have been placed on the ballot for UUA Trustee positions at this year’s Portland / Virtual General Assembly. We ask that you visit Beverly’s and Rebecca’s campaign websites to learn more of their campaigns. We have a few … Read more
Two Candidates Qualified for UUA Trustee Election Two candidates, Beverly Seese and Rebecca Mattis have qualified to be placed on the ballot at this year’s Portland, Oregon General Assembly (June 22 – 26) for UUA Board of Trustee positions. Using the UUA bylaws’ provision to run by petition, there will again be actual elections for board … Read more
Against Illiberalism, A critique of illiberal trends in liberal institutions, with a focus on neoracist ideology in Unitarian Universalism by David Cycleback (ברוך בן אברהם ושרה) Comment from the Fifth Principle Project We are presenting the following Discussion by David Cycleback, a Jewish philosopher and cognitive scientist, as a Guest Contributor. David’s paper is thoughtful, well written … Read more
“The church hates a thinker precisely for the same reason that a robber dislikes a sheriff . . .” Robert Ingersoll, American lawyer and writer From Used to be UU Chapter 4, COIC: Scope and Implications Administrative or Theological Center Less obvious in a reading of the Widening the Circle of Concern is the intent … Read more
We are adding to our Sermon Series, a sermon delivered by Rev. Rick Hoyt-McDaniels at the February Unitarian Universalists Multiracial Unity Action Council monthly service entitled Liberal Religion. Permission has been granted so you may share sermons from our Sermon Series with others in your congregation. Three Samples From the Sermon Sample 1 And … Read more
Below is a sermon Rev. Dr. Todd Eklof delivered on Sunday, January 16, 2022, at the UU Church of Spokane. In his sermon, Rev. Dr. Eklof addresses the January 11, 2022 letter from the UUA Executive Vice President to the UU Seven Principles Fellowship. The letter begins, “”We demand that you immediately cease and desist … Read more
We are publishing two letters today. The first letter is from the Ministerial Fellowship Committee (MFC). The MFC has jurisdiction over the credentialing of UU ministers. The MFC letter responded to an earlier letter (not posted here) sent in December 2021 to the President of the UUA. That letter stated in part, “I am extremely … Read more