Eight UCE members will serve as delegates to the UUA General Assembly June 20-23. Under consideration are proposed revisions to Article 2 of the UUA Bylaws, which describes our UU principles. The revisions replace the current UU Principles with the six Values of generosity, justice, equity, transformation, interdependence, and pluralism, with Love at the center as the power that holds us. This change calls out that we are accountable to one another for doing the work of living our shared values through the spiritual discipline of Love. These proposed Values statements reflect an evolution of our Principles including the 8th Principle.

So why is it necessary to evolve our 8 Principles into the proposed Values of generosity, justice, equity, transformation, interdependence, and pluralism – all centered in Love?

Join the UCE delegates and Denominational Affairs Team via zoom on June 3 at 7 pm or in-person/zoom June 9 at 12 pm in room 3 to discuss the what’s and why’s of the proposed changes. The delegates are eager to share information and discuss Article 2 , and understand what members think about the proposed changes.

Zoom link for June 3 and 9 sessions:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81668335293?pwd=0JEXsB7opczyhJsdsiZUawqohbEhOX.1

Meeting ID: 816 6833 5293 Passcode: 318292

Read more about the proposed revisions to UUA’s Article 2 here.

What’s driving the revisions to Article 2?

Article 2 is part of the UUA bylaws passed by the consolidated Unitarian and Universalist churches in 1961.  Originally it included 6 principles, as well as the resources.  There was also a mandate to review both parts every 15 years.  The 7th principle was added by General Assembly vote in 1985, along with an update to gender-neutral language.  The concept of an 8th principle was introduced to UU congregations and communities in 2013 and UCE adopted it in May 2021.  To date, more than 223 congregations have passed it. However, it is not included in the UUA’s 7 Principles. The desired to address racism in the UUA Principles and the mandate to review the parts of Article 2 every fifteen years resulted in the UUA board appointing a 6-member commission to review Article 2.

Discussions began in the fall of 2020 and over the next 3 years hundreds of surveys were conducted. The commission met twice a month and submitted proposed changes in January 2023. The proposed changes included transforming the 7 Principles into 6 Values statements centered by Love, evolving the Sources into Inspirations, and simplifying the Freedom of Belief language.

The General Assembly voted in June of 2023 to continue a year of discernment about the proposed changes before calling for a vote at the 2024 meeting. For the past year UCE’s Denominational Affairs team has held sessions to discuss the proposed changes, posted information in the newsletter and hosted program tables, and Rev. Eileen has spoken about the changes from the pulpit.

The UCE delegates are eager to understand what members think about the proposed changes. Please share your thoughts with members of Denominational Affairs or UCE delegates at the June 3 or 9 sessions, in-person or through Realm:  Shirely Adams, Lee Bannor, Peggy Boccard, Lina Hilko (alternate delegate), Melanie Kitchner, Cheryl Mounts, Joe Romeo (alternate delegate), Steve Serikaku, Elaine Siegel, Betty Walker, and Carla Williams.

Author: Carla Williams, Denominational Affairs Committee

2023 Actions of Immediate Witness Part 3

Actions of Immediate Witness (AIW) express the conscience and carry the authority of the delegates at the General Assembly (GA) at which it is passed. A description of the AIW process, from initiation to formal passage at GA, appeared in the Sept. 29 newsletter.

Protect the Dreamers AIW

This AIW expresses UUA support for the Dreamers and calls on Congress to pass legislation giving them a pathway to permanent residence. It also calls on UUs to support the Dreamers in their communities and contact their members of Congress to advocate for their protection.

The AIW affirms that: The Unitarian Universalist Association supports the Dreamers and believes that they are valued members of our communities, as are other immigrant populations.  The UUA calls on Congress to expeditiously pass legislation to provide Dreamers with a pathway to permanent residence and encourages UUA members to support the Dreamers in their communities and to communicate with their members of Congress to urge them to support legislation protecting the Dreamers.  Further, the UUA will be vocal and forward-leaning in its work to encourage members to deepen our theological grounding in issues of immigration justice; collaborate with local partners to combat anti-immigrant narratives, including those by state legislatures, and work with grassroots organizations/campaigns centering on those most directly affected by antiimmigration policies and other failures of the U.S. immigration system.

Links to complete texts of the proposals for the three AIWs passed at the 2023 GA are listed below:

• Stop Cop City: 2023 Action of Immediate Witness
• Organizing for Health Equity : 2023 Action of Immediate Witness
• Protect the Dreamers, the Recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) with a Pathway to Permanent Residence : 2023 Action of Immediate Witness

 Stop Cop City and Organizing for Health Equity were reviewed in the newsletters for Sept. 29 and Oct. 6, respectively.

AIW Part 2

Actions of Immediate Witness (AIW) express the conscience and carry the authority of the delegates at the General Assembly (GA) at which it is passed. A description of the AIW process, from initiation to formal passage at GA, appeared in the Sept. 29 newsletter.

Organizing for Health Equity AIW

Attacks against abortion rights, against gender affirming health care programs, and against the very young and the very old, combined with the impact of systemic racism, pandemics, poverty, and other problems, have raised awareness about the need for health equity and mutual aid. This AIW calls for new partnerships to secure personal and social wellness, with justice for all people, in all nations.

The resolution calls for multigenerational global, national, and local partnerships to plan and promote paid family and medical leave, a single-payer health system, adequate occupational health and safety, mental health services, access to family planning services, and solutions to many other urgent health needs. Specific steps at each level are suggested.

Links to complete texts of the proposals for the three AIWs passed at the 2023 GA are listed below:

Stop Cop City: 2023 Action of Immediate Witness

Organizing for Health Equity : 2023 Action of Immediate Witness

Protect the Dreamers, the Recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) with a Pathway to Permanent Residence : 2023 Action of Immediate Witness

Stop Cop City was reviewed in the Sept. 29 newsletter. Protect the Dreamers will be covered next week.

Actions of Immediate Witness (AIW) Part 1

Actions of Immediate Witness (AIW) express the conscience and carry the authority of the delegates at the General Assembly (GA) at which it is passed.  AIWs are initiated throughout the year by individuals or congregations and submitted to the Commission on Social Witness for approval, followed by a two-week polling period that ends about a week before GA begins. The final three are discussed and voted on by the delegates at the GA business meeting.  The three AIWs listed below were passed at the 2023 General Assembly:

Stop Cop City: 2023 Action of Immediate Witness

Organizing for Health Equity : 2023 Action of Immediate Witness

Protect the Dreamers, the Recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) with a Pathway to Permanent Residence : 2023 Action of Immediate Witness

Stop Cop City:  

In light of the nation’s largest militarized police training center being approved by Atlanta’s City Council, which will result in severe deforestation, and resistance to the training center being severely criminalized, Unitarian Universalists are called to use our voices to say NO to Cop City.

Click here Stop Cop City: 2023 Action of Immediate Witness to view the entire AIW document.

“Cop City” is a $90 million police training complex planned for 381 acres of land known as Welaunee Forest, sacred to the Muscogee people who were forcibly removed by the U.S. government in the 1820s.  It is a green space vital for the environmental health of the city and its residents.

UUs in Atlanta joined the Cop City Vote Coalition to collect and deliver over 116,000 signatures in support of letting Atlantans decide if they want Cop City.  The Coalition is prepared to accept the results of a free and fair election but is not confident that we will have the opportunity to see those results even with the required number of signatures.

The City of Atlanta has put forth a proposal for exact signature match – a known discriminatory practice. And on Monday, Sept. 11, the City Clerk claimed that they are not “legally obligated to verify signatures” because of a fast-changing court situation.

The other two AIWs, Organizing for Health Equity and Protect the Dreamers will be covered in subsequent newsletters.

“I found myself in a river reverie. The rolling Allegheny echoed through the halls at GA. Rumbling over the nearby bridge, the constant freight trains hauled away the products of the land. Each speaker introduced themself by citing the indigenous peoples whose lands they now occupied. Together we sang, ‘Shall We Gather at the River’”. UCE delegate Elaine Siegel.

The flurry of activity that was the 2023 Unitarian Universalist Association’s (UUA) General Assembly (GA) has subsided but the excitement rolls on. Held June 21-25 in Pittsburgh UUs gathered to conduct business, elect and install new leaders, debate revisions to our Bylaws and proposed Actions of Immediate Witness, learn together, network and create experiences, celebrate and worship together, and participate in numerous other events. 1,319 delegates attended in-person and 827 delegates attended virtually. (More than 4,000 attended all together – not everyone served as a delegate).UCE had 8 total Delegates, two of whom attended in-person.

UUA’s Highlights from GA

• Unitarian Universalism revisits identity, values at 2023 gathering
• Unitarian Universalists elect first woman of color, openly queer president

The UCE Denominational Affairs Committee strongly encourages you to attend this worthwhile meeting. The 2024 UUA GA will be held virtually only. And the 2025 meeting will be multi-platform in Baltimore, Maryland. Be a part of this important event to be inspired like delegate Melanie Kitchner who attended virtually. “Attending GA gives insight to the leadership of the UUA and provides workshops on many topics about our faith. The workshops are available on-line through Sept. 15 to watch as attendees have time over the summer. There are also lots of networking opportunities, even on-line, to get to know UUs from all over the country. In my case, this year, I solidified my focus on reparations and how I can help. I tease that I am now ‘a born again reparationist!” Or as noted by in-person delegate Shirley Adams, “Being onsite: surrounded by 2K UU’s of all shapes, sizes, costumes, spirits, was energizing. I love GA in person.” Either way prepare to be energized!

• Videos of GA events (General Sessions and Major Worships)
• Summary of business from this year’s General Assembly.

The UUA Article II Study Commission has issued its report making suggestions for transforming our principles and sources in our UUA Bylaws. Read the full Report HERE.

The UCE Denominational Affairs Team will be exploring these anticipated revisions to our UU Principles and Sources in several sessions between now and when we will vote on the revisions at General Assembly in June 2023. Join us for one or all of the sessions to delve into what it means to shake up our UU Principles & Sources.

The next session via Zoom is on March 15, 2023, 6:30-8:00 pm, with Rev. Susan and Betty Walker of the Denominational Affairs Team. The theme is Article II Covenant. Register HERE.

Our remaining session is April 19, 2023, 6:30-8:00 pm, via Zoom, led by Betty Walker & Carla Williams and Cheryl Mounts. The theme is Article II Connecting. Register HERE.

The UUA Article II Study Commission has issued its report making suggestions for transforming our principles and sources in our UUA Bylaws. Read the full Report HERE.

Join Betty Walker, Carla Williams, and Cheryl Mounts with the UCE Denominational Affairs Team to explore the anticipated revisions to our UU Principles and Sources. We are having three more evening sessions to explore different themes provided by the Article II Study Commission. Join us for one or all of these sessions to delve into what it means to shake up our UU Principles & Sources.

The next session is Article II Mission & Purpose: A Wider UU world on February 15, 2023, 6:30-8:00 pm, via Zoom. Register HERE.

Our final two evening sessions are:

Article II Covenant – March 15, 2023, 6:30-8:00 pm, via Zoom, led by Betty Walker & Rev. Susan. Register HERE.

Article II Connecting – April 19, 2023, 6:30-8:00 pm, via Zoom, led by Betty Walker & Carla Williams or Cheryl Mounts. Register HERE.

Join Rev. Susan and Betty Walker with the UCE Denominational Affairs Team to explore the anticipated revisions to our UU Principles and Sources. The Article II Study Commission of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) has issued its first draft of what they anticipate to be our reimagined Article II of the UUA Bylaws, which is better known as the home of our Principles, Purposes, and Sources. Click here to read the draft of the revised Article II.

We are having four more sessions between January and April 2023 to explore different themes provided by the Article II Study Commission. Join us for one or all of these sessions to delve into what it means to shake up our UU Principles & Sources.

* Article II Inspirations – January 18, 2023, 6:30-8:00 pm, via Zoom, led by Betty Walker & Rev. Susan. Register here.

* Article II Mission & Purpose: A Wider UU world – February 15, 2023, 6:30-8:00 pm, via Zoom, led by Betty Walker & Carla Williams or Cheryl Mounts. Register here.

* Article II Covenant – March 15, 2023, 6:30-8:00 pm, via Zoom, led by Betty Walker & Rev. Susan. Register here.

* Article II Connecting – April 19, 2023, 6:30-8:00 pm, via Zoom, led by Betty Walker & Carla Williams or Cheryl Mounts. Register here.

The Denominational Affairs Team recently had a retreat to review its purpose and role. We are pleased to present the final product of our discussion. Denominational Affairs (DA):

Seeks to strengthen ties between our congregation and the larger association:
We alert our members to resources offered by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and encourage participation in our Chicagoland area, regional and national activities. We aspired to achieve this by:

· Serving as a catalyst for greater connection between UCE and Unitarian Universalism (UUism)

· Being joyful in our work

· Creating fun-filled gatherings

· Advocating for UCE participation in local, regional, and national activities

Monitors External UU Organizations:

· Groups that UCE has representation or participation with, DA monitors for opportunities, including with the UUA, MidAmerica Region, and local Chicago Area Unitarian Universalist Council (CAUUC).

· Continue in leadership role for UUA’s General Assembly delegates and attendees (in-person and virtual)

· Groups that DA monitors for opportunities that UCE members may want to participate in: Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU), CAUUC, Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of Illinois (UUANI), Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ out of Washington D.C.), 8th Principal Learning Community. See DA flyer of groups posted on website at https://ucevanston.org/?s=denominational+affairs.

· Because the Association is often ahead of individual congregations in social justice causes, DA continues to monitor Unitarian Universalist (UU) social justice organizations for opportunities that might be of interest to UCE groups, e.g., REAL Team, Green Team, etc.

Connects with Internal UCE Groups:

· Educate and encourage UCE groups to consider the opportunities available with external UU organizations and the value of funding participation or access, e.g., Integrated Stewardship Council, Endowment Fund.

· Share information with UCE groups about opportunities available through UU social justice organizations, e.g., Social Justice Council (SJC), various social justice groups listed on DA flyer posted on website at https://ucevanston.org/?s=denominational+affairs.

· Membership Engagement, e.g., UUA and MidAmerica Region resources to support leadership development

· Youth groups

· Expands information on groups DA monitors

To see the current chart of the organizations Denominational Affairs monitors go to our flyer at: https://ucevanston.org/?s=denominational+affairs. Click on the links in the chart to learn more about these organizations.

The Denominational Affairs Committee meets the second Tuesday every month via Zoom at 11:00 a.m. You are welcome to join us any time. Contact Peggy Boccard via REALM or at admin@ucevanston.org.