UUA Shared Values as Part of Search Developing a Culture of Anti-Oppression

Part of The Settled Ministry Search Handbook

A chalice with the word Love over the flame, with six outstretched swirls that create a circular space within them. Together, they form a six-petal flower shape and alternate in color between goldenrod and dark pink. Each contains one of the six UU shared values, printed in a modern font. Clockwise: Transformation (aqua), Equity (bright green), Pluralism (red), Interdependence (dark blue), Justice (goldenrod), and Generosity (dark pink).

In alignment with the UUA’s shared values of interdependence, pluralism, justice, transformation, generosity, and equity, all centered around love, the UUA search process includes opportunities to examine how oppression, supremacy, and bias work in the world and how they are at play in our search system’s processes and practices.

Here are some considerations as your congregation prepares for search and selects a search team:

  • Plan ahead for offering the Break Barriers, Build Beliefs workshop in the Fall after the search team is selected.
  • Practice honest and authentic conversations about both mistakes and successes in living out the shared values.
  • A diverse search team will likely include people from historically marginalized groups. Offer the Mosaic Lifespan Anti-Racism Curriculum in the Fall and/or Winter before the search team is selected so that anyone who is considered for the search team has a basic understanding of bias, oppression, microaggressions, and supremacy.