February 2023 Welcome

By Phillip Lund

Even though we’re only one month into 2023, this year is shaping up to be one of those years. You know, the kind of year when the decisions made now will affect our Association of Congregations for years to come. First, there’s the work of the Article II Study Commission, which recently presented its report to the UUA Board of Trustees on their proposed changes to the section of the bylaws that contain our current Principles and Purposes.

Over the last two years, the Article II Study Commission has taken seriously their charge from the UUA Board “to review Article II of the UUA Bylaws, and propose any revisions that will enable our UUA, our member congregations, and our covenanted communities to be a relevant and powerful force for spiritual and moral growth, healing, and justice. Proposed changes should articulate core UU theological values.”

Article II Love chalice with spirals: justice evolution pluralism generosity equity interdependence

Their work, which is been done in an unfailingly open and transparent way, has culminated in a 26-page report that you can find here: Article II Study Report (PDF). The report presents the changes to the Article II section of the UUA’s bylaws that the commission recommends, as well as a review of the process and the timeline and details of the commission’s approach to the work.

UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray has written a response to the publication of the report called “Why Change Our UU Principles?” that reviews the process and gives a preview of what happens next: opportunities for congregational delegates and the Board to suggest amendments to the proposal, which will lead to a vote at this year’s General Assembly to move on to the next stage of the process, the adoption of the proposed changes to Article II by a two thirds majority vote at GA 2024.

Another big decision at this year’s General Assembly will be the election of a new president for our association. Currently there is one candidate running, the Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt. There is still the possibility of additional candidates since the deadline for petition candidates is February 1. By the time you read this issue, we may know whether or not other candidates will be joining Rev. Dr. Betancourt in the race. For more information about the process, visit the 2023 UUA Presidential Election page.

For information about registering for this year’s General Assembly in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 21-25, see this month’s “Brilliant Bits from Boston” page. Registration fees are reduced through the end of this month.

About the Author

Phillip Lund

Phillip Lund has almost twenty years experience serving congregations in the areas of faith formation and spiritual growth, first as a religious educator in Bloomington, Indiana, New York City, and Chicago, Illinois, and most recently as a congregational life consultant working for the MidAmerica...

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