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“Love is the power that holds us together and is at the center of our shared values. We are accountable to one another for doing the work of living our shared values through the spiritual discipline of Love.”
“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.”
PROPOSED CHANGES TO ARTICLE II OF CURRENT UUA BYLAWS
NO OTHER CHANGES TO UUA BYLAWS ARE BEING PROPOSED.
What exactly is Article II
Article II is the part of our UUA Bylaws where the principles and sources currently exist. It also includes a statement of inclusion and freedom of belief. As comparison, Canada does not have the principles and sources in their bylaws since they created the Canadian Unitarian Council in 2002. Yet they remain foundational to their faith. You can learn more about the CUC and its history at their website https://cuc.ca/
Basic Change Process per UUA bylaws
Our first Article II included the 6 principles. Written in the bylaws at the same time was how they were to be revised. They would be revised by a proposal brought forth which would be taken to a commission for study and presented for a vote at GA – simple majority followed by a 2/3rds vote for adoption. The study could be bypassed if a motion was brought forth and voted on with a 4/5th pass to skip directly to the next GA to vote again at 2/3rds pass rate.
If no study commission had occurred for 15 years,–so if no one decided to propose any amendments or if amendments were so clear cut,–a 4/5th vote bypassed the study in 15 years. Then the GA has to appoint a commission to study the entire Article II with views to suggest revisions.
History of Changes to Language in Article II
About Article II: The Principles and Purposes of the UUA | UUA.org
At the merger these were our 6 principles.
“In accordance with these corporate purposes, the members of the Unitarian Universalist Association, dedicated to the principles of a free faith, unite in seeking:
- To strengthen one another in a free and disciplined search for truth as the foundation of our religious fellowship;
- To cherish and spread the universal truths taught by the great prophets and teachers of humanity in every age and tradition, immemorially summarized in the Judeo-Christian heritage as love to God and love to man;
- To affirm, defend and promote the supreme worth of every human personality, the dignity of man, and the use of the democratic method in human relationships;
- To implement our vision of one world by striving for a world community founded on ideals of brotherhood, justice and peace;
- To serve the needs of member churches and fellowships, to organize new churches and fellowships, and to extend and strengthen liberal religion;
- To encourage cooperation with men of good will in every land”
In 1984 we revised Article II to 7 principles and 5 sources.
Unitarian Universalist congregations 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.
Unitarian Universalism draws from many Sources:
- Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life.
- Words and deeds of prophetic men and women which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love.
- Wisdom from the world’s religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life.
- Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God’s love by loving our neighbors as ourselves.
- Humanist teachings, which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.
In 1995 we revised to add the 6th source
Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.
In 2009 a study commission was put in place but rejected the proposal
More details found here about their draft- Second draft of new UUA Principles and Purposes (2009) | UU World Magazine
In 2018 an amendment
to replace “prophetic men and women” with “prophetic people” was adopted.
Words and deeds of prophetic men and women people which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love.
Also, in 2018 the 8th principle was discussed and urged to be considered for an amendment.
We covenant to affirm and promote 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.
The following years 2019 -2020
The UUA Board decided that instead of just putting a commission together to consider adding the 8th principle, we were overdue (per the bylaws) on our 15-year mark for an entire study, and since the 8th principle calls for dismantling oppression a study of the whole Article seems appropriate. A commission was appointed to do just that. Video: A Conversation on Covenant: An Article II Study Commission Panel | Article II Study Commission | UUA.org
The Charge to the Commission
“The Principles and Purposes you will prepare should be a living document that challenges Unitarian Universalists to place the liberation, in all its dimensions, of all, at the center of our lives. They should be honest about our past, name what we are facing and our aspirations and where we hope to be not for just today but looking out at the horizons. They should ask us to choose Love in Action as the path forward. Our commitment to anti-racism, anti-oppression, and multiculturalism is love in action, and should be centered in any revision of Article II. Finally, the Principles and Purposes should lead us into the second quarter of the 21st Century, while honoring the historic roots of our liberal, progressive faith.” Read the full charge here: Charge to the Article II Study Commission | UUA.org
Timeline Details for the 2020-2024 Commission’s process
May 2020 Finalize charge to commission (see above.)
June 2020 At General Assembly Commission charge and Committee Commissioners introduced to the assembly.
Jan-May 2021 Commission works as directed by charge
June 2021 At General Assembly Commission conducted listening and feedback sessions Reports and Reflections of the Article II Study Commission | Article II Study Commission | UUA.org
January 2022 Commission presents a draft of Article II revisions to UUA Board
April 2022 Survey (April 1- April 30) sent to congregations for feedback (This was shared with UUCA congregants in the April 2022 Reporter, Facebook)
June 2022 At General Assembly a revised draft of Article II proposed changes based on feedback received from congregations.
November 2022
Series of feedback/talk back sessions hosted by the Commission via Zoom (This was shared with UUCA congregants in 11/11, 11/16 emails and on Facebook)
January 2023 Commission presented a revised and updated draft to the UUA Board based on feedback from November sessions.
January 15- UUCA
Following worship, UUCA’s 8th Principle team hosted a walkthrough of the change process and proposed changes with Q&A.
January 21 All congregations invited to the UUA Board Meeting to hear the report from the Article II Commission. View Report View video of Report being presented
January 23 – UUCA, 7pm, Zoom
8th Principle team hosted a review of proposed Article II changes and asked feedback based on two questions: What do you like about A2 and what DON’T you like about A2. This session and subsequent sessions hosted at UUCA were promoted in emails (January 11, 13, 15, 18, 20) and on Facebook.
January 27 – UUCA, 7 pm, Hannah Fellowship Hall (in person)
8th Principle team hosted a review of proposed Article II changes and asked feedback based on 2 questions: What do you like about A2 and what DON’T you like about A2.
February 9 – UUCA, 7pm on Zoom
8th Principle team hosted a review of proposed Article II changes and asked feedback based on 2 questions: What do you like about A2 and what DON’T you like about A2. This meeting was specifically held for marginalized groups, young adults and those members who identify as LGBTQIA+, black, brown, indigenous and/ or with disabilities.
February 23 Questions and concerns garnered at the UUCA sessions were emailed to Marcus Fogliano, project manager for A2 Commission.
April 2023
UUA was open for Amendment proposals. An online submission process was available April 1 through April 30. This was shared with the UUCA congregation, along with links to the process, in our April 2023 Reporter and April 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28 emails and on Facebook.
May 2023
UUA hosted three Zoom workshops (5/11, 5/18 and 5/21) to discuss proposed Amendments and feedback. Open to congregations and their members. This was shared with the UUCA congregation, along with registration links, in our May 2023 Reporter and May 10, 12, 17 and 19 emails.
June 2023
Congregational Delegates were invited to submit amendments up until June 5 to be discussed at a mini assembly to be held at GA.
At General Assembly Feedback and Amendments and revisions vote on regarding Article II. GA, delegates voted to move forward with a process to discuss further proposed changes to Article II of the UUA bylaws, with 1,816 (86.3 percent) votes in favor and 289 (13.7 percent) against. All voting results can be found HERE.
October 2023
The Article II Study Commission completed the final draft of its proposed revision to Article II after incorporating any amendments passed by the delegates at GA in June.
February 1, 2024
The Article II proposal was subject to amendment in 2024 only by a three-fourths vote in favor of an amendment submitted to the General Assembly in writing by the UUA Board of Trustees or a minimum of fifteen (15) certified congregations by action of their governing boards or their congregations.
Four amendments reached the threshold and will be presented at General Assembly 2024 for a vote. They can be found HERE for review.
June 2024
At GA, Article II amendments (see above) require a 3/4 approval to be incorporated. Once any amendments have been resolved, a 2/3 approval vote is required to adopt a new version of Article II.
If the vote to accept Article II revisions fails, consideration for changes cannot be proposed for 2 years.
Links to explore
Why Unitarian Universalists are Reexamining Article II | UU World …
UU World Magazine › articles
Feb 13, 2023 … Why is Article II being revised, and why is this work important? The UUA bylaws mandate a regular revision process of Article II every fifteen …
Article II Study Commission Reflects on Progress Made | UU World …
UU World Magazine › articles › uua-article-ii-info-amendments-deadline-…
Dec 7, 2023 … As Unitarian Universalists Reassess Core Beliefs, Article II Study Commission Reflects on Progress Made … The Board is now receiving amendments, …
Understanding Article II: A theological analysis for Unitarian …
UU World Magazine › unitarian-universalist-article-ii-quotes-theological-…
Feb 7, 2024 … “We affirm the power of Love to heal what is broken, to hold us together across pluralities of diverse religious practices and beliefs, to hold …
Reflections on the 1980s Article II Revision—and Why it’s Time to …
UU World Magazine › articles › 80sarticleii
Apr 3, 2023 … “They were not given on tablets on a mountaintop. They emerged from a small group of dedicated UUs in living memory, with tremendous input from …
The Real Genealogy of the Seven Principles by Rev Denis McCarty