First Parish and the 8th Principle
The 5th Unitarian principle calls for the use of the democratic process within our congregations. Each congregation is independent, and is free to consider adopting the 8th Principle.
Our Religious Education and Social Justice committees held several events about adopting the 8th Principle at First Parish.
We began our discussion in the fall of 2022 with a pancake breakfast.
In January 2023, we had an online workshop with Paula Cole Jones, who co-authored the 8th principle and inspired many congregations to understand the importance of adopting this principle.
In May, we hosted a panel discussion with leaders from three other UU congregations sharing the journey their congregations took in order to adopt the 8th Principle. This Zoom meeting was attended by members of several congregations; we are hoping to continue this work together.
In the fall of 2023, we had another pancake breakfast to answer questions members still had about the Eighth Principle and also the proposed Article II revision.
On October 22, 2023 our congregation voted unanimously to accept the Eighth Principle.
Members of the Religious Education and Social Justice committee invite folks, old and new, at First Parish to join with us as we begin to take actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.