Words from Ed Thompson
Unitarian Universalist Church at Montclair, known as UUCM, is my new home. I like it a lot, but I miss my old church, The Unitarian Church in Westport, Connecticut. I especially miss my music director, Ed Thompson.
Apparently, he had a stroke in late September or early October. He was in the hospital for a couple of weeks and in a recovery center for another couple of weeks. Now he is directing the choir again.
I had an email from him on Wednesday; I don’t know why I didn’t receive the others but somehow I did not. It was simply a reminder of no rehearsal last Thursday night. It also included singing on Sunday and wishing us all a happy Thanksgiving. So I emailed him back – just to him – to say I hope he is doing well.
The 8th Principle
Our congregation in Westport had a hand in crafting the 8th principle. Kathy Roberts led the effort for us. I cannot now remember how she shared it with us. But I think it was after my stroke.
I was totally on board with the principle. I believe this has now been adopted by many of our congregations, but I am not sure of the exact number at this time.
The 8th Principle is a call to end white supremacy. It also ensures the word “love” is somehow there.
As one of our leaders has explained, “The Principles are not dogma or doctrine, but rather a guide for those of us who choose to join and participate in Unitarian Universalist religious communities.”
I give them to you here, including the 8th principle:
- The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
- Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
- Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
- A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
- The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
- The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
- Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
- 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.
Our “Principles”
Our principles, or Principles if you like, are calls to action. They reflect our own selves and the others in the world. The second one asks for “justice, equity and compassion” in our interactions with others. In fact, in all our interactions with people far and wide, the call is there. The third highlights “our acceptance of one another” in all our diversity. This also tells us to grow spiritually. The fourth tells us to be responsible in our “search for truth and meaning.”
I especially like the fifth principle: use of conscience “and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.” I like that agreement.
The sixth is a reflection of all society and holding these truths to be universal. The seventh is a call for action for our part in the world. I believe this involves respecting the web of all our existence and working to reflect that.
So how is the 8th principle different?
The 8th principle says we must do our utmost to dismantle white supremacy, however it is found. This principle calls on all of us to have our hand in the “diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions.” This principle also calls on us to “dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”
This principle is very broad and far-reaching. I actually think it will be shortened before it is accepted by the Unitarian Universalist Association. But the impact will be clear.
Can I, will I, undertake this?
