At the General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association on June 21-25 2023, the delegates voted to give preliminary approval to the Article II Study Commission’s proposed revision of Article II of the UUA Bylaws. Article II states the (Seven) Principles and Purposes and (Six) Sources of the Association. The proposed revision to Article II can be found at this link. The vote on this proposal was 1816 (86.3%) yes and 289 (13.7%) no. A simple majority is required to give preliminary approval.

The delegates also approved 5 amendments to this proposal. Those amendments can be found a the following links: #30, adding spiritual development as a Purpose, #13, revising use of inclusive democratic processes as Values, #5, adding transcending mystery and wonder as sources of Inspirations, #26, adding creation of new UU communities as a Purpose, and #52, revising description of interdependence.

The Article II Study Commission is now charged to revise its proposal to include those 5 amendments within six months. The proposed revision of Article II, as amended will be submitted at GA 2024. At that Assembly, both the UUA Board and groups of at least 15 UU congregations may submit further amendments to the proposed revision. Any such further amendments will require approval by at least three-fourths of the delegates voting. Then, the proposed revision, as amended, will be submitted to the delegates for final approval, which will require at least two-thirds of those voting. If that vote is not enough for final approval, then no similar proposal to amend Article II may be submitted to GA for two years.

On October 31, 2023, the UUA’s Article II Study Commission released to the its final version on of the proposed revision of Article II of the UUA’s bylaws. This version will soon be presented to the UUA Board of Trustees for approval and, if approved (as expected), it will then presented at the June 2024 General Assembly for a final vote. A two-thirds vote of congregational delegates will be required for adoption. You can download a PDF version at this website:

Article II Study Commission Completes Its Final Proposed Revision to Article II

On February 5, 2024, our GA Delegates asked for your support in the decision-making process:

The final vote on the revision of the UUA’s Article II of the Bylaws is coming up this June at the General Assembly (GA). Your delegates would like your assistance in determining how to vote. UUCS Board will guide as well, however we feel it is important to represent the whole congregation as much as possible. You can help.

First, read the latest revision of Article II by clicking here. An article entitled “History of Article II and the [Article II] Study Commission” can be found by clicking here. Find more links to “Article II” on the 

Unitarian Universalist Association | UUA.org website.

Second, attend a zoom discussion March 6 from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Look for the link in This Week at UUCS and in the Newsletter, The Chalice and the Flame.

Be on the lookout for an in-person discussion in April and a chance to provide your “yea” or “nay” in May.

In brief, they are suggesting the UUA replace the 7 Principles and 6 Sources that are found in our hymnal and on the back of every Order of Service you get each Sunday with 6 Values supporting the centering value of Love. Those 6 Values are interdependence, equity, transformation, pluralism, generosity, and justice. In addition, there are ideas of inspiration, inclusion and freedom of belief. It’s a bit more complicated summarized here, which is why it would be so helpful for you to read it yourself and then join the chat on February 7 and or March 6.
Thank you ahead of time for your support in our decision-making process.

~Hannah Batu, Joel Martin, Sara Pickett and Barbara Stebbins-Boaz, Your 2024 GA Delegates.

On April 2, 2024, our Delegates provided this update.

You likely have heard that the delegates to the June 2024 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist
Association (UUA) will vote on a proposed revision of Article II of the UUA Bylaws. The process of review of the current bylaws and drafting of proposed changes has been complicated. So, you may find it hard to keep track of what is potentially changing. Never fear, your UUCS General Assembly Delegates are here for you!

One general change would be the elimination of the term “principles” from Article II, which currently refers to “Principles and Purposes.” The current “7 Principles” are on the back of each Sunday’s Order of Service and inside the front of our gray hymnals. The Principles come from the UUA Bylaws, which reads in part:
Section C-2.1. Principles.
We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote
· The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
· Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
· Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
· A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
· The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society
at large;
· The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all;
· Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

You may have heard that, if the proposed revision of Article II is adopted, the 7 Principles will disappear. Well, it isn’t true! Yay! Although no longer called “principles,” the same or similar ideas appear in the proposed revision. However, it may take more effort to locate them in the proposed revised Article II, which reads in part:
Section C-2.2. Values and Covenant
Interdependence. We honor the interdependent web of all existence. With reverence for the great web of life and with humility, we acknowledge our place in it. (Here is Principle #7.) We covenant to protect Earth and all beings from exploitation. We will create and nurture sustainable relationships of care and respect, mutuality and justice. (Similar to Principle #2) We will work to repair harm and damaged relationships.
Pluralism. We celebrate that we are all sacred beings, diverse in culture, experience, and theology. We
covenant to learn from one another in our free and responsible search for truth and meaning. (Here is Principle 4) We embrace our differences and commonalities with love, curiosity, and respect. (Similar to Principle #6) Justice. We work to be diverse multicultural Beloved Communities where all thrive. We covenant to dismantle racism and all forms of systemic oppression. (Very similar to Section C-2.3 Inclusion in the current Article II.) We support the use of inclusive democratic processes to make decisions within our congregations, our Association, and society at large. (Includes the “democratic processes” part of #5)
Transformation. We adapt to the changing world. We covenant to collectively transform and grow spiritually and ethically. Openness to change is fundamental to our Unitarian and Universalist heritages, never complete and never perfect. (Very similar to Principle #3) Generosity. We cultivate a spirit of gratitude and hope. We covenant to freely and compassionately share our faith, presence, and resources. Our generosity connects us to one another in relationships of interdependence and mutuality. (Similar to Principles # 2, 3 and 7)
Equity. We declare that every person has the right to flourish with inherent dignity and worthiness. (Essentially the same as Principle #1) We covenant to use our time, wisdom, attention, and money to build and sustain fully accessible and inclusive communities. (Very similar to Section C-2.3. Inclusion in the current Article II.)
Section C-2.5. Freedom of belief
Congregational freedom and the individual’s right of conscience are central to our Unitarian Universalist
heritage. Congregations may establish statements of purpose, covenants, and bonds of union so long as they do not require that members adhere to a particular creed.

Here is the cheat sheet to help you find the 7 principles in the proposed revision of Article II:
Proposed Revision of Article II Current Article II
Interdependence under C-2.2 Values and Covenant Principle #2,7
Pluralism under C-2.2 Values and Covenant Principle #4, 6
Justice under C-2.2 Values and Covenant Principle #2,5
Transformation under C-2.2 Values and Covenant Principle #3
Generosity under C-2.2 Values and Covenant Principle #2
Equity under C-2.2 Values and Covenant Principle #1,6
Section C-2.5 Freedom of Belief Principle #4 (right of conscience) and Section C-2.4 Freedom of Belief

Be on the lookout for a date near the end of April or the beginning of May where you can meet with your GA Delegates, answer ask your questions about Article II and give your opinion on voting that we will do during the June General Assembly.
Take care. Your delegates,

~Sara Pickett, Hannah Batu, Barbara Stebbins- Boaz, Joel Martin