Article 2 – Plus – Love is the Center
This fall I have been exploring the UU Values that have been included in the Draft shared by UUA’s Article 2 Study Commission and that will be presented to the UUA board in January. Before I share more about the final and central value of LOVE, I’d like to summarize and share a little about the commission and the work that they have done – and read through with you the entire Article 2 draft. I think it’s important that our congregations be informed of all the work going on and not be “surprised” to see these changes without a deeper understanding. Actually, I was surprised at our gathering at the Mountain – as we talked about this together – that most of the ministers there were delaying any conversation or presentation about these. So, I hope this little review isn’t too boring for you. But it’s information that you need to know as part of the larger Unitarian Universalist community. I know I’m presenting this on a “low attendance Sunday” – the Sunday after Thanksgiving always is – but it’s being recorded, and I’ll have the text as well to share with others who are out of town.
According to our bylaws, Article 2 should be re-examined and updated or replaced every 15 years – knowing that we are Unitarian Universalists – and we evolve. But this last revisions of our Purposes, Principles, and Sources were in 1987. We are way overdue. Since that time, various groups have suggested lots of revisions – many that were controversial. One example is changing the first principle to include all living beings. Another is adding an 8th Principle. Also, revisions for some others that seemed to divide us more than unify us.
So, the board realized that we needed to do this in a more deliberate manner – and appointed a Study Commission with the charge that they examine the entire Article 2, get input from many groups, and prepare a draft that could be presented to the board at their January 2023 meeting. This is the group that has been meeting. These 5 folks – all very active in UUA and representing various groups and ages met with three liaisons from UUA and worked for two years on this. They had been encouraged to be creative in their efforts and decided to focus on primary values that we held. After receiving lots of input and doing their analysis – with the help of word clouds and other programs, they proposed seven values with LOVE as the central value. And they also revised other aspects of article 2 to represent our evolving community.
SLIDE - I’ve included the entire draft on my PowerPoint for us to read through together. We will begin with the Purposes of the Association.
The Unitarian Universalist Association shall devote its resources to and exercise its organizational powers for religious, educational, and humanitarian purposes. Its primary purposes are to equip congregations for vital ministry, to support and train leaders both lay and professional, to heal historic inequities, and to advance our Unitarian Universalist values in the world. We will transform the world by our liberating love.
(Note how often love is included in this document)
SLIDE - The next section looks at our values and how we covenant together to take actions related to these values. Please join me.
Love is the enduring force that holds us together.
As Unitarian Universalists in religious community, we covenant,
congregation-to-congregation and through our association, to support and assist each other in engaging our ministries. We draw from our heritages of freedom and reason, hope and courage, building on the foundation of love.
Love inspires and powers the passion with which we embody our
values. Inseparable from one another, these shared values are:
Then the image that’s become familiar to those coming to our services this fall – with Love as the Center.
SLIDE = Next each of the six remaining values are described along with the related covenanting statement. I invite you to read with me.
Justice. We work to be diverse multicultural Beloved Communities
where all people thrive.
We covenant to dismantle racism and all forms of oppression
within individuals and our institutions. We are accountable to each other for this work.
Generosity. We cultivate a spirit of gratitude and hope.
We covenant to freely share our faith, presence, and resources.
Compassionate generosity connects us one to another in relationships of mutuality.
Evolution. We adapt to the changing world.
We covenant to collectively transform and grow spiritually and
ethically. Evolution is fundamental to life and to our Unitarian
Universalist heritages, never complete and never perfect.
SLIDE - Pluralism. We celebrate that we are all sacred beings diverse in
culture, theology, and experience.
We covenant to learn from one another and openly explore the
depth and breadth of our many wisdoms. We embrace our differences and commonalities with love, curiosity, and respect.
Equity. We declare that every person has the right to flourish with
dignity and worthiness.
We covenant to use our time, wisdom, attention, and money to
build and sustain a fully inclusive and accessible community of
communities.
Interdependence. We honor the sacred interdependent web of all
existence. With humility we understand our place in the web.
We covenant to care for and respect the earth and all beings by
fostering relationships of mutuality. We work to repair the bonds we
have broken.
SLIDE -- Then a section regarding our Inspirations! Since many of us are inspired by so many different possibilities, they have left this section much more general than the Sources we currently have in our bylaws. Let’s read this together.
As Unitarian Universalists, we draw upon, and are inspired by, the full depth and breadth of sacred understandings, as experienced by humanity. Grateful for the religious lineages we inherit and the pluralism which enriches our faith, we are called to ever deepen and expand our wisdom.
The next section shares who will welcome – who is included. Let’s read that.
Systems of power, privilege, and oppression have traditionally created barriers for persons and groups with particular identities, ages, abilities, and histories. We pledge to replace such barriers with ever-widening circles of solidarity and mutual respect. We strive to be an association of congregations that truly welcome all persons who share our values. We commit to structuring congregational and associational life in ways that empower and enhance everyone’s participation.
SLIDE -- Then finally a statement confirming the non-creedal nature of our faith. What holds us together is not a creed or belief system – but our values and covenants. We are not a creedal faith – but a covenantal faith. Let’s read this statement together.
Section C-2.5. Freedom of belief.
Nothing herein shall be deemed to infringe upon the individual freedom of belief which is inherent in the Unitarian Universalist heritages or to conflict with any statement of purpose, covenant, or bond of union used by any congregation unless such is used as a creedal test. In expressing our beliefs, we do so in the spirit of love, in ways that further Beloved Community
SLIDE -- Now we can talk about other parts of this Draft later – but in my remaining time – I do want to focus on the Center of our Faith – and that is LOVE.
Some folks don’t like that term – but to them I say – translate. This is not romantic love – this is love in action – taking care of ourselves, our communities, and the world with compassion, caring, understanding, and more.
If you’ve been with us a while – you may know that UU’s adopted the theme of “Standing on the Side of Love” – led initially by those working for marriage equality. Then we expanded the idea and adopted those bold yellow shirts to wear to various demonstrations – standing on the side of love for all kinds of needs in this world. Later – wanting to widen the circle more – we changed to Side with Love (and there is a story that goes with that). So, when I last went to General Assembly in June, I purchased a Side with Love t-shirt that I could wear, not just to demonstrations or protests – but everywhere. I choose to try to Side with Love. A couple of weeks ago, I was sitting outside at a restaurant at St. Simons that I like. Greg had already come back to Statesboro – but I had meetings and more to keep me in Glynn County. When the server came up when I had completed my meal – I had my credit card out to pay for my large spinach salad and water and she said, “You can put that back. Someone has already paid for your dinner. And I thought – why would someone anonymously pay for my dinner. (I’m ashamed to admit I also thought that I should have ordered more). Then I realized I had that Side with Love shirt on. And someone appreciated that – or recognized the movement that it stood for. People want us to Side with Love; actually, need desperately for us to Side with Love. And we need it as well. Many years ago, some Christians wore bracelets with WWJD on them – to remind them – “What would Jesus do?” I wish they would begin wearing those and thinking about that again. Because – in general – Jesus sided with love. He was there for the oppressed, the sick, the hungry and more. Now I do not identify as a Christian – though I’m inspired by many – not all – of their scriptures. So, I probably wouldn’t ask that question. But I certainly want to ask myself OFTEN – what is the LOVING thing to do. Now that doesn’t always mean saying YES to various requests. Sometimes LOVE means saying NO – and all of us could give examples. I do like the song in our hymnal that ya’ll are going to sing at my memorial service though – that ends with the line “If they ask what I did best, tell the I said “YES” to love!”
Rev. Thom Belote asks:
If you’ve ever sided with love, what motivated you? What inspired you? What swelled up within you and gave you the moral clarity and discernment to side with love?
Can we side with love rather than being a detached observer of love? Can side with love rather than having a discussion group about love?
That’s what the Article 2 Study Commission is trying to sway us to think about – not just what our values are – but what are we committing ourselves to DO. And that’s why each those – including the Central Value of LOVE – has a Covenant statement that accompanies it.
SLIDE There is another song in our hymnal about Love that inspires me.
"Love will guide us, peace has tried us, hope inside us will lead the way – on the road from greed to giving – love will guide us through the dark night."
May it be so!!
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