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UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF TUCSON
COVENANT OF RIGHT RELATIONS
Adopted April 26, 2009
We, the members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson, affirm this covenant of right relations to strengthen the bonds of trust and loyalty in our beloved community and to diminish the chances of hurt and disillusion in times of disagreement. In adopting this covenant we seek to create an atmosphere of honesty, respect, trust, gratitude, forgiveness, acceptance and loyalty within our congregation. The goal of the covenant is to provide a clear statement as well as guidelines about how our values and principles can best be demonstrated through our actions. We aspire to strengthen our relationships and enlarge our sense of community. The well-being of our congregation depends on a sense of fellowship among and between all within our community—members, friends, minister, staff, and youth—whenever and wherever we worship, interact or work together.
In adopting this covenant, we realize that differences, strong feelings and disagreements will arise. These can and should be the well-springs of change, creativity, and growth. When we practice right relations we reduce the level of conflict, misunderstanding and hurt feelings that can occur when people speak passionately about subjects of importance to them. Right relations are the foundation on which a safe congregation is based. To this end, we pledge to govern our actions and our speech by the spirit and letter of this covenant.
The practices we will follow include:
- Recognizing our shared leadership and expressing gratitude for the efforts of others
- Working for the common purpose—remaining committed to the group as a whole
- Honoring the commitments we make to individuals and the congregation as a whole
- Practicing open communication, sharing news, decisions and issues that impact the community life
- Practicing deep, open and respectful listening
- Focusing on the message not the messenger—critiquing ideas not people
- Allowing sufficient time to identify and explore disagreements and conflicts—being willing to work through conflict and disagreements
- Seeking and providing clarification about assumptions and expectations
- Sharing strongly held convictions openly rather than withholding input
- Respecting confidentiality by keeping confidences and not asking others to break them,
- Being true to our chosen path and supporting others on their own journey.
- Being loyal to the absent and refraining from criticism of those who are not present
- Speaking directly and privately with individuals with whom there is a misunderstanding, concern or disagreement in an effort to resolve interpersonal disputes
- Attempting to resolve non-personal controversies e.g. on policies, programs or finances through the relevant committee or channel
- Using “I” statements, taking responsibility for speaking our own truth
Although this document expresses our written promise, our true covenant exists in our day to day interactions with one another. In times of harmony may it deepen our bonds with one another and in times of conflict may it guide us in working through our differences. Our goal is the resolution of problems through solutions which serve both the common good and the individual. Reconciling conflict allows us to remain in fellowship.
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NURTURE
YOUR SPIRIT,
HELP HEAL
OUR WORLD,
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