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OUR UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST PURPOSES and PRINCIPLES
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.
The living tradition which we share 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 women and men 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.
* 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.
Grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith,
we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision. As free
congregations we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our
mutual trust and support.
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OUR COVENANT:
the agreement crafted among our congregation to affirm the ways we will
be in community with one another.
We, the members of the
Unitarian Universalist Community Church, in order
to sustain a community whose members live according to their deepest
principles, establish this covenant as a guide to our relationships with
ourselves, with each other, with our neighbors, and with the world. We
covenant:
To live our belief that every
person has inherent worth and dignity. We will treat each other with
respect and good humor, assuming the good intentions of all. We will strive
to bring to all our interactions compassion, honesty and kindness. By fully
listening to one another, we endeavor to gain a greater appreciation of
each individual?s gifts
and enriching uniqueness.
To foster one another?s spiritual growth. We
will cherish differing paths and enjoy the thoughtful exchange of ideas, experiences
and intuitions. We will conduct our continuing dialogue with patience and
joy, welcoming diversity of views and persons.
To participate
respectfully in the larger world. We will seek to live our values within
the greater community in ways that encourage service, invite conversation,
and engender understanding.
To pledge our
abilities, time, energy, and financial support to the purposes of this
community. We will commit these resources wisely, so that we can fulfill
our promises. We will encourage and support the fullest participation of
each member and friend and, as a community, will celebrate and appreciate
the contributions of all.
To employ the
democratic process as the rule of our community, both as leaders and as
members. We will conduct all dealings of the church in an open, honest and
responsible way. We will seek and share information about all important
church issues and contribute our informed opinion. We will respect the
deliberated consensus of the community and continue to seek common goals
through the exploration of diverse ideas.
To preserve
congregational wholeness by addressing conflict promptly and directly.
First, we will talk with and listen to the person or persons with whom we
have unresolved differences. If, after an open and empathetic exchange of
feelings, points of view, and possible solutions we have not resolved our
conflict, we will quickly seek the counsel of congregational mediators.
I promise to use the spirit
of this covenant as a guide to my behavior in relationship with my church
community. Within the circle of the congregation, I ask others to name my
actions that fulfill this covenant and to honor them; when my actions are
contrary to its spirit, I ask others to name them as well and to recall me
to this covenant in a loving and forgiving way. I accept the responsibility
to do the same for others.
I do so covenant. Signed
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