Widening the Circle of Concern

In 2017, our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) formed the Commission on Institutional Change (COIC) to address systemic racism in our Association and in our congregations. After a long and deep process including thousands of hours of interviews and discussion, they published their report earlier this year entitled Widening the Circle of Concern. This report is a summation of their findings and recommendations, and states “If it is received as nothing more than a document, that will be a travesty and fresh source of injury to all who participated in offering and compiling the wisdom found here.” Each congregation is requested to address and take action on their findings.

At the Fall Parish Meeting 11/15/20, we created a team to lead our exploration and decision making around this report and its findings. The team will lead our congregation to take action addressing structural racism and other injustices within our congregation and in the wider community. This work is needed for our congregation to live it’s principles, and will require both self-examination and support  for those in the congregation who may find this work difficult or painful. It will require resilience, flexibility, patience and persistence. This is a moment of challenge and opportunity, and we look forward to our new team helping guide us in this work!

You can find a copy of the Widening the Circle of Concern report here.