COVENANT
aspiring to beloved community

As Unitarian Universalists we are people of covenant. This means we've agreed to live together in a sacred and meaningful way through our diverse beliefs. Below is our covenant, created by our congregation for our congregation. 

Together with love we covenant:
to respect one another with our words and actions,
to support this congregation with our presence, gifts and service,
and to care for each other and the long-term well-being of our community.

We also have a covenant of right relations naming how we are in relationship with ourselves, other members, our committees, staff, minister, the whole congregation and the community at large.

I will be compassionate with myself:

• Maintain and cultivate a sense of humor
  
• Speak only for myself
  
• Accept responsibility I can handle without burn-out or resentment
  
• Embrace the UU principles

We will be compassionate with:

Other Members:

• Seek first to understand, then to be understood
  
• Listen with empathy and without interruption
  
• Manage email communications in a respectful way
  
• Include newcomers and those who are 'different'
  
• Seek directly to resolve disagreements with others
  

Our Board / Committee Members and Staff:

• Recognize that these members are volunteers and need our support
  
• Avoid making requests that we can do ourselves
  

Our Minister:

• Recognize that the minister cannot be all things to all people
  
• Honor and respect his/her time off
  

Our Congregation's Needs:

• Accept decisions reached when all views have been heard
  
• Remain engaged with gentleness when times are uncertain
  

Our Wider Community:

• Recognize our congregation's priorities in service and social action projects
  

*This is an organic document, subject to change as we live and grow together.