A few years ago, organizational consultant Margaret Wheatley asked a great question that I think we can use is assessing our own efforts to change the world: “Is what I’m about to do strengthening the web of connections, or it weakening it?”

Of course, we can ask this question about our own individual efforts and how we live our values in society. I believe we can also use this question effectively in assessing our work to establish the Central East Region.

• Are our efforts to change the way we work with congregations and Unitarian Universalists in CERG helping to strengthen deep connections between congregations and on beyond into our communities?
• Are our efforts in in line with the age-old commitment at the core of Unitarian Universalism to mutual, supportive covenant found in the Cambridge Platform?
• Do we support our commitment to living as if the reality of the interdependent web of existence really, really matters in our lives and in our faith communities?
• Are we called, as Unitarian Universalists, to work as if we believed we are truly all in this together?
• As we consider the new ways of congregational connections that CERG will bring, are we asking ourselves: “Is what we are about to do strengthening the web of connections?”

Despite the uncertainty and pain that always accompanies significant change, I believe we can answer “yes” to all of these questions.

Rev. Joan Van Becelaere, CERG Congregational Life Consultant