The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara (USSB) are considering adding an 8th Principle to our already existing 7 Principles.
At the UUA
It has been 38 years since the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) updated our Principles and added the seventh one. In 2017 a proposal was made to the UUA to add an 8th Principle, which reads:
“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.”
Its adoption will be voted on at the General Assembly in 2023.
How did we get here?
Your board of trustees set up the Anti-Racism Commission (ARC) in June 2020 and the congregation adopted a Statement of Conscience at our annual meeting:
“USSB supports the five demands of Black Lives Matter SB. We urge the Santa Barbara City Council and the County Board of Supervisors to condemn police brutality and declare racism a public health emergency. USSB further supports and affirms Black Lives Matter and will renew and strengthen our commitment to anti-racism work and to dismantling all systems of white supremacy.”
On October 9, 2022 the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara (USSB) voted to add the 8th Principle to our already existing 7 Principles, and for our delegates to vote in favor of its adoption at the General Assembly. Congregations across the United States are engaging in a similar process – 232 congregations have affirmed its adoption as of January 15, 2023.
What now?
In the coming months and years there will be opportunities to engage in 8th Principle work. Please check this page regularly – we will be updating as opportunities come up. The ARC is interested in supporting anyone with ideas who wants to live into the promise of the 8th Principle. To contact ARC, please use this form.