Thank you for sharing your feedback on the proposed Article III for the bylaws of Sunnyhill (The Unitarian Universalist Church of the South Hills). Members of the Sunnyhill Beloved Conversations Team (BC team) drafted this proposed statement as part of the work our congregation tasked them with (see
goals, affirmed by the congregation on May 22, 2022). Your Sunnyhill Board members are eager to hear your feedback.
Please be kind. The proposed text is a draft. As you share your thoughts on this draft, recall that we are entered into covenant to affirm the dignity of each member of our community. Here, too, we ask that you place love at the center as you help our community pursue a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. We invite your wisdom and your thoughtful, generous reflection.
The proposed Article III should remind us of core commitments as we work in community to support each member’s spiritual journey. In addition, it can serve as an invitation to new members and an introduction to how we position love at the center of our work together.
Proposed Language for Article III
This religious community intentionally welcomes individuals of various life situations, abilities, and viewpoints. We celebrate human diversity in all its wonderful forms, including differences in age, race, ethnicity and national origin, abilities and disabilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, financial means, education, and political perspective. We affirm and respect each other, rejoicing in the unique gifts of each individual.
We commit to exploring initiatives to actively dismantle systems of oppression and racism within our congregation and the wider world. Grounded in our Unitarian Universalist Values, we strive to build an anti-oppressive, anti-racist, multicultural community rooted in love, equity, inclusion, and justice. This commitment guides all areas of congregational life, including membership, hiring practices, leadership, worship, and engagement beyond our walls.
Following the receipt of this form, a member of the Board or Beloved Conversations Team may follow up for further conversation.