I told someone I came away from the UUA General Assembly “hopeful, which isn’t always what I feel about Unitarian Universalism.” Here is a little update and why I felt hopeful.
NSUC is still affiliated with the UUA (apparently $1 per member gets us delegate status) so was entitled to four delegates. There wasn’t time to engage the whole church in an approval process, so Jonathan approved the four of us who requested delegate status. As it turned out, only Robyn Newton and I were able to attend the plenary sessions and vote.
There were two important discussions and votes: continued approval of Article 2 and a divestment/reparations business motion. Fifteen prioritized amendments were offered for the Article 2 process which has been going on for two years. Many did not pass—especially the ones from folks who wanted to retain the 7 Principles (very little mention of 8 Principles). The delegates then voted on the revised Article 2 (with amendments) with 86% support. Discussion and collaborative work will continue on Article 2 until the final vote for passage of the revision will be held at next year’s digital General Assembly. Attached is the Article Study report with the proposed revisions to the bylaws beginning on page 19 (without the recently passed amendments). If you study it, you will see the Principles folded into the new proposal.
The second vote involved a passionate plea, especially from the young adults in attendance, to completely divest from the fossil fuel industry and add subsequent reparations. Work on this has already begun and the UUA Board opposed the Business Resolution because “it would undermine the current values-based work on climate action and other human rights issues, close off the conversations needed about UU values and investments, pre-empt the work the Board has begun around reparations, and directly cut the UUA budget.” The Resolution failed.
A new UUA President was elected: Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt. She is a young(ish) biracial, queer, female with strong Earth-centred roots and a desire to transform harmful, oppressive systems to build a genuine Beloved Community. I was so impressed by her! I was also so grateful to see the racial and cultural diversity of UUA leadership and the diversity of membership in general. This is what gives me hope for Unitarian Universalism!
In faith,
Cindy