8th Principle

“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.”

Last church year, your Board of Trustees asked all UUCT members and friends to consider whether we should adopt the 8th Principle as a congregation at our Annual Meeting in May.

The 8th Principle was successfully passed by an 80% vote.

The 8th Principle has been adopted by more than 150 other Unitarian Universalist congregations and UU organizations. The articles, videos, and resources are provided here to help members and friends continue to become informed about the 8th Principle.

Notes from the 8th Principle Working Group

UUCT is moving further along in its anti-racism and other oppressions path. At our Annual Meeting we passed a 10th Bylaw and a Covenant, both shown below, to enshrine these ideas in language that may push UUCT into action.

May they make it so. May we discover how to make it so.

Covenant to Anti-Oppression, Equity, Inclusiveness & Diversity

We, the members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson, declare and affirm our responsibility to become anti-oppressive and equitable and to serve the full diversity of those who resonate with our theological tradition.

Our flame of love and justice requires our active and deep commitment to the flourishing and full inclusion of Black people, Indigenous people, People of Color, and members of other historically marginalized groups.

We hold our ourselves accountable and active in promoting, engaging, reflecting upon, and implementing measurable systemic changes to dismantle oppression, racism, and white supremacy culture. We empower our Board of Trustees, Ministry Leadership, and Staff to provide leadership and programming to transform ourselves to the beloved community we aspire to be through this covenant.

Adopted May 1, 2022

Bylaw Amendment: Article X - Commitment to Anti-Oppression, Equity, Inclusiveness & Diversity

Section 1 The Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson declares and affirms its responsibility to become anti-oppressive and equitable and to serve the full diversity of those who resonate with our theological tradition.

We hold our Board of Trustees, Ministry Leadership, staff, members and friends accountable and active in promoting, engaging, reflecting upon, and implementing measurable systemic changes to dismantle oppression, racism, and white supremacy culture.

Bylaws Amended May 1 2020

UUCT Board of Trustees Action

The UUCT Board of Trustees has adopted this 8th Principle goal, another historic step in our progress at UUCT.

”The Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson declares and affirms its support of the goal of a congregation dedicated to anti-racism work and the equitable treatment of all. The Board pledges, in its actions and decisions, to promote policies which implement systemic changes to dismantle oppression and white supremacy."

The Board is also discussing anti-racist, anti-oppressive issues monthly at its meeting.

8th Principle Study Resources

https://www.uua.org/new-england/resources-tools/anti-racism/anti-oppression/multiculturalism

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