The Meridian
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…
To Dare Everything – An 8th Principle Reflection Informed by James Baldwin
In “The Fire Next Time” James Baldwin warned his nephew: “You were born where you were born and faced the future that you faced because you were black and for no other reason.” Today’s headlines reverberate with that observation. Because you are Black and for no other reason…you will be incarcerated in greater numbers…you will…
Why Is the 8th Principle So Long?
I first heard about the proposed 8th Principle almost two years ago. My first impression was that it seemed long and complicated compared to the other seven principles! But as I continued the journey to understand more about my own white privilege and complicity in upholding systemic racism and other oppressions, I came to see that…
Holding History
Message from the Minister Greetings Beloveds, Join me for a drop by event on the veranda on November 3 between 10 am – Noon or on November 7th between 2 pm – 4 pm. I want to learn about the history of the church from your perspective. What was one (or a few) really important moment(s) in your relationship with the church? Some of the stories shared on the timeline will be…
Pillars of Systemic Equity
As UUCT engages in the process of adopting an 8th Principle it is important to understand what the mission really is. Rather than thinking about dismantling racism and other oppressions, as stated in the 8th Principle, we can think about it in positive terms like the ACLU does and think of it as building systemic…
The 8th Principle and Challenges Past, Present, & Future
It’s not easy being a Unitarian Universalist. We don’t pledge to believe a set of beliefs. We affirm and promote ‘a free and responsible search for truth and meaning’. And we do it for all of our lives. Years ago, I grew up in the Universalist Church of North Attleboro, MA. The Universalists had freed…
The 8th Principle ≠ an 11th Commandment!
Are you feeling as if adopting the proposed 8th Principle is like adding an 11th Commandment? Some UUs have that reaction. Our seven principles express our covenant with other congregations in the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). A vital aspect of our living tradition is that our covenants are not set in stone. We can decide,…
Making Connections with the 8th Principle
Many of the books we’ve read for the book group Centering Black, Indigenous and People of Color Voices have helped to expand my thinking about the 8th Principle. The first that comes to mind, however, is a book we read together many months ago, “How to Be an Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi. The book…
Why I Think We Need an 8th Principle
Aren’t our UU Seven Principles enough? For me, the answer is no. We Unitarian Universalists have been talking about and committing ourselves to becoming a multicultural, anti-racist, anti-oppressive movement for years. But progress has been incredibly slow. The culture and practices in most of our congregations, including UUCT, are still very white-centered despite our aspirations…
Equity – The Case for D.C. Statehood
Washington, D.C., is the only national capital in the democratic world whose citizens do not have equal voting and representation rights. The denial of representation is and overt act of voter suppression with racist roots in the Reconstruction. The district’s more than 700,000 residents – the majority of whom are Black and Brown – are…
Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America
Excerpted from the Fall 2021 ACLU Magazine – Jay Fernandez There’s a new documentary out that has yet to be released. It’s title is “Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America”. It’s written by and features former ACLU Deputy Legal Director Jeffery Robinson. Jeffery Robinson has spent 10 years delivering a powerful, deeply…
Deepening Relationship
Message from the Minister Beloved Members and Friends, Over the next few months, there will be a monthly theme. We will begin in October with the theme deepening relationship. This will be evident in some of the services as well as in the interim work. There will be several opportunities to share your thoughts with me and the Committee on Ministry Interim Transition Team. Some of the opportunities will explore the history of the church through the stories you share.…