.At our recent Annual Congregational Meeting our UUCOD members voted strongly to adopt the 8th Principle as one of our own. Along with over 160 other congregations across the country and Canada, this issue will be brought to the UUA General Assembly and the UUA Commission working on revision of the Association’s governance documents for their consideration. As we have written in a previous UUCOD newsletters and in the 8th Principle FAQs, the exact wording of this principle may change while the meaning and intent will not.

But more importantly, and closer to home, what does passing the 8th Principle mean to us at UUCOD? Where do we go from here since adopting this principle is just the beginning of a journey that we will create and make together.

The UUCOD Board of Directors has empowered our Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Ministry (DIBM) to pick up where the 8th Principle work group left off and lead our continued awareness raising and implementation efforts. The following are just some of the areas of congregational life in which discussions are already underway and incremental changes are being made.

The Worship Committee is focusing on Widening the Circle of guest worship leaders when Rev Ian is not in the pulpit.

Consideration is being given to a congregational wide online training opportunity with the founder of the 8th Principle movement

DIBM is reviewing our Bylaws with an eye towards diversity, inclusion and belonging and will make appropriate recommendations as needed

Lifespan Spiritual Learning is hoping to offer a variety of learning opportunities each year expanding our understanding of race, other oppressions, cultural dynamics and their impact on us as individuals and in our institutions.

Facilities and Furnishings hopes the Cultural Corner will engage members and friends in contributing to all of our learning about diverse cultures and marginalized groups

Our new website greatly strengthens our focus on diversity and becoming a multicultural Beloved Community

There are many more opportunities for us as a community to do this work of Widening the Circle in membership, stewardship, religious education for children/youth, social justice, community outreach, communications and so much more.

We will be making this journey together as a congregation, listening, talking, sharing and visioning. We invite you to join in as we envision and create our diverse, welcoming, inclusive, multicultural Beloved Community together! Please let any one of the DIBM members know of your interest and/or willingness to work on these efforts. 

Your Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Ministry at dibministry@uucod.org

 

8th Principle Recent Posts

Are we proposing this principle because we are doing something wrong?

This is one of the thought provoking questions we have been asked over the past several months related to the proposed 8th Principle. The simple answer is, No. However, this does not mean we cannot do more that is right. Remember, we are attempting to Widen the Circle of Concern and to become as welcoming and inclusive as possible so that ALL truly feel that they belong here. 

Why do we need another principle about racism? Don’t our other 7 principles address this?

After many years of inconsistent work in the UUA regarding anti-racism, the realization that one can “live into” our existing 7 principles without thinking about or dealing with racism has become more apparent. In order to more fully live into the potential of our existing principles, over 150 UU congregations have already adopted the 8th Principle.
 
In our white-centered dominant culture it is all too easy to ignore racism and just regard ourselves as “not racist”,

What does “white supremacy culture” mean?

At its most basic, white supremacy culture is based on the ideology that people with white skin are superior to people with dark skin, intellectually, morally, and physically, and therefore should dominate society, typically to the exclusion or detriment of other...

What is meant by “white privilege?

White privilege is “having greater access to power and resources than people of color, in the same situation, do."  from Diversity in the Classroom and Understanding White Privilege: Creating Pathways to Authentic Relationships Across Race" by Francis E. Kendallin ....

The 8th Principle – Let’s Examine What It Really Means

As we journey towards adopting the 8th Principle, throughout March we will present various words and phrases both within the 8th Principle language itself and those related to the work of anti-racism. We will begin to explore what they mean and invite your responses....

The 8th Principle – Can we change the wording?

At this stage in the process, congregations need to adopt the proposed principle as it is written. The wording of the 8th Principle will be substantially debated on the floor of the UUA General Assembly and will likely be changed as a result. By voting to approve it...

The 8th Principle – Learn More About It!

Rev. Ian introduced this proposed 8th Principle in depth and in the context of our covenantal relationships during our January 16 Sunday Service. If you missed this very important service or wish to listen to it again, it is posted on the UUCOD Facebook page Over the...

The 8th Principle – Why is UUCOD wanting to adopt this?

The 8th Principle is a natural extension of our UU values and faith development. Unlike our other 7 Principles, it calls us to action, to not only be not-racist but to actively engage in anti-racist behaviors as individuals and as a faith community. And it calls us to...