The Article II Study Commission has completed its two year study. They submitted their report (PDF 26 pages) to the UUA Board of Trustees at their meeting held on January 20, 2023. The report includes the Study Commission’s recommended revisions to Article II.

Article II Study Process and Adoption Timeline

The Article II Study Commission convened in the fall of 2020, developing a shared understanding of its charge developed by the Board of Trustees in consultation with the 2018 and 2019 General Assemblies, the history of Article II, and the study process. In the Spring of 2021, the Study Commission began hosting theological panel discussions with surveys to gain an understanding of the values and sources of inspiration shared amongst Unitarian Universalists. At General Assembly 2021, the Commissioners introduced the Article II study process in a General Session, and engaged attendees in focus groups.

Congregational resources for small group ministry and group discussion were developed and shared in the fall of 2021. Focus groups, individual interviews, and surveys continued through the winter and spring of 2022. Draft language was prepared and shared during General Sessions at the 2022 General Assembly. Focus groups and surveys were used to collect feedback on these drafts.

In the fall of 2022, the Article II Study Commission, via their Outreach Team, held feedback sessions and surveys on different drafts of Article II, each draft informed by previous feedback sessions and surveys. At the end of this feedback cycle, the Article II Study Commission will submit its recommendation for a new Article II to the Board of Trustees in January 2023.

Over the course of its work, the Commission engaged in 45 feedback sessions, with 4,611 total participants. Their videos reached 7,765 viewers, and their 29 surveys generated a total of 10,925 responses.

After the Board of Trustees receives the recommendation, Article II Forums will be held, so people can learn more and talk about the proposal. Congregations are encouraged to have conversations to gather input from their members to inform their GA delegates. There will be opportunities for delegates to recommend amendments to the proposal including at a mini-assembly at General Assembly. The Board will also be able to recommend amendments. Amendments to the proposal from delegates and the Board of Trustees will be prioritized and placed on the General Assembly agenda for consideration.

The final version of Article II, as amended by the Board of Trustees and/or the 2023 General Assembly, must receive a simple majority vote to move forward for a final vote at the 2024 General Assembly. It will take a 2/3rd majority vote at the 2024 General Assembly to be adopted as the new Article II of the UUA bylaws. If either vote fails, a similar proposal cannot be considered for two years.

“We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, 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.”

Press Release:

June 12, 2022
First Parish Brewster Unitarian Universalist
Commits to Dismantling Racism and Other Oppressions

After one year of education, conversation, and debate about a proposed new Principle focused on dismantling racism and other oppressions. First Parish Brewster UU overwhelmingly adopted the 8th Principle at the church’s annual meeting. The new Principle becomes the 8th in a list of guiding values that inspire Unitarian Universalists everywhere.

The first seven Principles affirm and promote: the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equity, and compassion in human relations; acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth; a free and responsible search for truth and meaning; the right of conscience and use of the democratic process; the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; and respect for the interdependent web of all existence.

The 8th Principle affirms and promotes 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.

The 8th Principle reflects the mission of First Parish Brewster UU, which is to open hearts, grow souls, and turn love into justice. Grounded in our Unitarian Universalist Principles and spirituality, this First Parish Brewster UU community strives to create a multigenerational practice of inclusion, support, and justice in the lives of one another and in the world around us.

First Parish Brewster UU is located at 1969 Main St. (Route 6A) in Brewster, MA. Sunday services are held at 10:00 a.m. For information about First Parish Brewster UU, visit www.fpbuu.org, call 508-896-5577, or email cove@firstparishbrewster.org.