8th Principle Logo

We, the members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tallahassee, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.

─Adopted by UUCT at a congregational meeting May 22, 2022


8th Principle Reflections

  • 8th Principle Article: History of Our Principles

    8th Principle Article: History of Our Principles

    My last Meridian Article introduced the Principles as adopted in the 1960s. The first major revision was in the mid 1980s. It is striking to read the original 6. They reflect their time. The language is male-centered and Judeo-Christian is the only religious tradition. The members of the UU Women’s Federation [UUWF] took issue. There…

    Read More

  • Beloved Community and Radical Welcome

    Beloved Community and Radical Welcome

    For me, Beloved Community means creating the space where everyone can be their whole selves, not just those who are already here; where no one feels the need to hide a part of their identity, or who they really are, to be accepted into our church community. A first step can be practicing the radical…

    Read More

  • Beloved Community

    Beloved Community

    Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations are the ends that we affirm and promote in the second UU principle. The end we covenant to affirm in the 8th Principle is more expansive and all-encompassing: “diverse, multicultural Beloved Community.” What might that look like? The phrase “beloved community” was coined by philosopher-theologian Josiah Royce and…

    Read More

  • Will the Eighth Principle be Sustainable in Our Church?

    Will the Eighth Principle be Sustainable in Our Church?

    Hopefully before the 8th principle is adopted by UUCT, all members of the congregation will have become familiar with what the principle means. If it is well known to everyone, discussed within the congregation, and talked about in church services, then it can become owned by every member of the church. That’s why the Allies…

    Read More

  • Why Is the 8th Principle So Long?

    Why Is the 8th Principle So Long?

    I first heard about the proposed 8th Principle almost two years ago. My initial reaction was: “Wow, that’s a lot to say and remember!” “We covenant to affirm and promote journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves…

    Read More

  • The 8th Principle Covenant

    The 8th Principle Covenant

    We often say that Unitarian Universalism is a covenantal rather than creedal religion. Rather than professing a common set of beliefs, UU congregations and their members make promises with each other and their communities; mutual promises to journey together in certain ways. Covenants are powerful. They can change a culture. They can transform relationships, communities,…

    Read More