Themes from Living the Seven Principles Program
Congregational Feedback

Explanation: The Committee on Ministry (COM) was asked to create a covenant of right relations by the Bismarck-Mandan UU board of directors. Covenants of right relations are common to UU congregations and are meant to be a set of promises we make one another about how we treat one another. COM, whose primary role is to strengthen relationships in the church, decided to turn to the congregation for help creating the covenant. The following themes are based on participant feedback received on March 13, 2011 during a COM-led program called “Living the Seven Principles.” The themes below will be used to draft a covenant for our church. The draft will be presented for review and edits in Fall 2011. COM intends to present a board-approved final draft for approval at the annual meeting in December 2011.

1. We will honor the inherent worth and dignity of every person when we…
a. Treat people with respect; Show empathy; Be accepting; Be nonjudgmental; Don’t speak degradingly of others or to others; We are all the same.
b. Seek to understand; Listen closely; Talk to people with alternate views; Try to walk in another’s shoes.
c. Allow people to be themselves; Respect life choices of others; Stand up for the rights of others.
d. Let people experience their own feelings. Validate them; Each person holds a seed of truth that is pure and deserves cultivation; Let go of personal agendas for others. Accept them for who they are.

2. We will model justice, equity, and compassion in human relations when we…
a. Follow the golden rule: Do unto others...; Model justice, equity and compassion; Treat each other equally; Defer to compassion; Show empathy and respect to others; Assume the best in others; Practice patience.
b. Show empathy and respect for self; Care well for self; Continually look within to heal misconceptions and close-mindedness.
c. Be brave in representing a minority or alternative viewpoint including the voices of those who are discriminated against or lack equality; Speak truth to power; Express concern and commit to action; Calling people’s use of language when necessary
d. Think and observe first without bias, then speak; Maintaining composure and a sense of humor in the face of conflict.

3. We will promote acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregation when we…
a. Respect religious beliefs of others; Accept and support individuals where they are on their spiritual paths.
b. Maintain an open heart and an open mind; Be loving; Have a positive attitude; Seek to understand; Avoid judgment based on labels.
c. Practice religious hospitality; be welcoming; Engage in dialogue with those who hold alternative beliefs.
d. Participate in church activities: Facilitate, take RE class, present, bring treats, help in an RE class, utilize the library
e. Provide people of all ages with adequate resources for spiritual growth; Teach children how to feel and honor their heart.
f. Advocate for a mix of programming in the church - variety of spiritual beliefs and experiences and non-spiritual beliefs.

4. We will support a free and responsible search for truth and meaning when we…
a. Examine, share and apply personal faith as it relates to daily life, events, others’ beliefs, in the community and at church.
b. Through inquiry and discussion of ideas, experiences and viewpoints; Ask questions and encourage respectful debate.
c. Let go of bitterness from past experiences in the search for truth and meaning
d. Engage in and investigate spiritual inquiry; Continue to learn; Engage in church life by volunteering to make things work; Attend webinars
e. Be welcoming of others with alternative, non-mainstream views; Respect all spiritual paths as valid, as leading to God.

5. We will support the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large when we…
a. Participate in democratic process in civic and church life - vote, complete surveys, write letters to the editor, attend annual meetings and functions that promote political discussions, engage in discussion, voice opinions, protest, testify; Trust the process; Support the decisions of the group.
b. Inform myself on issues; Ask questions; Seek answers; Go the extra mile to understand and promote important causes.
c. Making it possible for others to participate and be heard; be inclusive; Speak up for disenfranchised.
d. Work for open accountability and/or consensus; Seek to understand the views of others; Compromise; Object in peaceful ways when conscience dictates.
e. Align life to follow my principles and act accordingly; Be brave and patient; Stand up and speak for change.

6. We will strive for the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all when we…
a. Care about related international issues; Volunteer; Choose one or two causes and follow them passionately to avoid burn out and feel effective. Work to decrease suffering; Extend compassion to places beyond this community - with money and actions.
b. Speak when it is not comfortable; Approach conflict from a place of love.
c. Model peace, liberty and justice to others; Peace in the world begins at home.
d. Maintain and extend friendships beyond this community; Eliminate the idea of “outsiders”; Study other cultures and travel.
e. Cultivate gratitude; Don’t take personal privileges for granted.
f. Use the Internet to learn, communicate, organize and spread compassion.
g. Buy local, contain eco-footprint, vote; Vote with my dollar every day.

7. We will show respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part when we…
a. Live harmoniously with other beings (human and non-human)
b. Live lightly and with intention on the planet; make conscious daily choices to support sustainable practices such as eating and buying locally, eating less meat, driving less, recycling, composting, learning to garden/growing own food and teaching others, pick up trash, give time and money to effective environmental, and consume less energy, food and non-renewable resources
c. Connect with nature, promote conservation and use of national parks
d. Take responsibility for personal environmental impact and finding solutions; Pay attention to environmental issues working on the micro (personal choices) and macro levels (policy making).
e. Honor the circle of life - our earth, land, animals, people, resources, life and death. Leave good footprints.
f. Protect animals
g. Live by the motto to “Do no harm.”
h. Live by the 4 Agreements: (1) Be impeccable with my word, (2) Make no assumptions, (3) Take nothing personally, (4) Always do my best.