Proposed Amendment to our 2U Bylaws
Is Second Unitarian Church ready to change our bylaws to incorporate the new language adopted by the UUA regarding our values and purposes? 2U has been preparing for this move for 3 years. Rev Jason preached on this topic 12 times during this preparation time, we also had two workshops for the congregation that were attended by members about the values changes, and during this past year the new graphic appears weekly in our Sunday Bulletin. If we amend our bylaws to include this language we will show solidarity, acceptance and unity with the UUA and other UUs around the country. This new wording was adopted by the UU General Assembly in June 2024.
The Church Board is proposing that we vote to amend our bylaws with the new language at our Congregational Annual Meeting on June 8. Our bylaws may be amended at any business meeting of the Church by a two-thirds vote, provided that notice for such meeting states intention to amend the bylaws and includes a copy of any proposed amendment.
Many of us who have a long-time affiliation with UUism are attached to the old language of 8 Principles. We honor and respect that version which upheld our principles for decades and acknowledge that moving to new language will be strange and some will experience grief at losing the old familiar touchstone. The new language incorporates the principles of the old language and expands on the actions that affirm those values. It also puts Love at the center of our values. We believe that the new graphics and the affirmations attached to them will inspire and guide us in new ways.
Proposed Amendment to BYLAWS OF SECOND UNITARIAN CHURCH
Delete the current wording in ARTICLE II: OBJECT: Section 2 and replace it with the following wording:
ARTICLE II: OBJECT
Section 2 Object
As Unitarian Universalists at Second Unitarian Church of Chicago, we covenant, congregation-to-congregation and through our Association, to support and assist one another in our ministries. We draw from our heritages of freedom, reason, hope, and courage, building on the foundation of love. Love is the power that holds us together and is at the center of our shared values. We are accountable to one another for doing the work of living our shared values through the spiritual discipline of Love. Inseparable from one another, these shared values are:
Shared Unitarian Universalist Values
Interdependence
We honor the interdependent web of all existence. With reverence for the
great web of life and with humility, we acknowledge our place in it. We covenant to protect Earth and all beings from exploitation. We will create and nurture sustainable relationships of care and respect, mutuality and justice. We will work to repair harm and damaged relationships.
Pluralism
We celebrate that we are all sacred beings, diverse in culture, experience, and theology. We covenant to learn from one another in our free and responsible search for truth and meaning.= We embrace our differences and commonalities with Love, curiosity, and respect.
Justice
We work to be diverse multicultural Beloved Communities where all thrive. We covenant to dismantle racism and all forms of systemic oppression. We support the use of inclusive democratic processes to make decisions within our congregations, our Association, and society at large.
Transformation
We adapt to the changing world. We covenant to collectively transform and grow spiritually and ethically. Openness to change is fundamental to our Unitarian and Universalist heritages, never complete and never perfect.
Generosity
We cultivate a spirit of gratitude and hope. We covenant to freely and compassionately share our faith, presence, and resources. Our generosity connects us to one another in relationships of interdependence and mutuality.
Equity
We declare that every person is inherently worthy and has the right to flourish with dignity, love, and compassion. We covenant to use our time, wisdom, attention, and money to build and sustain fully accessible and inclusive community.
