Example Resolutions
Resolutions can be as simple as one sentence but are typically a few paragraphs and should be no longer than one page. A congregation may want to check Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) General Assembly resolutions for content and style. See a full listing of UUA and General Assembly social justice statements.
- A Moratorium on Executions (First Unitarian Church of Richmond, VA)
- Preventing War with Iraq (First Unitarian Oakland Resolution, October 2002)
- U.S. Unilateral Military Action (UU Community Church of Santa Monica Peace & Civil Liberties Committee)
- Freedom to Marry (UU Fellowship of Raleigh, NC, December 2004)
Congregational Processes for Taking Public Positions on Issues
- The Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Fairfax (Oakton, VA) has adopted two ways in which UUCF can take public positions on social justice issues.
- The Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Southwest Michigan has a policy and procedure for adopting public policy statements that involves issues coming through the Faith in Action Committee to the Board of Trustees for approval and referral to the congregation for adoption.
- Second Unitarian Church of Omaha, NE, has a Use of Church Name Policy.
Sample Social Justice Council Procedures for Taking Action
Congregations use different policy guidelines for votes on controversial social justice issues.
- The congregation in Honolulu, HI, elects a special committee at its annual meeting (along with the Board). This committee has the responsibility for studying major social justice issues, making recommendations to the congregation, and setting up processes for education and voting.
- The Mainline Church (Devon, PA) calls for a 75% vote of an assembled quorum.
- Some congregations make use of a disclaimer. After the majority has voted they state: "This decision only reflects the votes of those who were present at the meeting and does not speak for the congregation as a whole."