UUCR Covenant of Right Relations
The UUCR Draft Covenant of Right Relations was created during the 2005 church year as the concluding exercise of the interim ministry period. The Congregation adopted the draft covenant on a trial basis at the annual meeting on May 15, 2005. During the trial period the Board-appointed Congregational Relations Task Force, working with the Congregation, will evaluate the draft covenant and make recommendations for the next steps.
What is a Covenant of Right Relations? A Covenant of Right Relations is a thoughtful agreement written by the Congregation (members and friends) and for the Congregation. It describes what the Congregation most highly values and the promises it makes together about how its members will act with one another. It is a public, formal proclamation of what it means to be a member or friend of our faith community and describes our interpersonal commitments to others and ourselves. The Covenant is intended to help us maintain a healthy congregation. It is a living document; as we evolve, so shall our Covenant.
Why a Covenant of Right Relations? During our journey to prepare to call a new minister, several experts and consultants were called upon to help UUCR along our path. All of them strongly recommended that we develop a Covenant of Right Relations. This Covenant will provide guidance to us, who share a common religion that binds us uniquely together, to take responsibility for our behavior and actions, while recognizing that we all come from very different places in life.
The Congregational Relations Task Force
- Suzanne Carrillo
- Bill Hurlbut
- Fran Lowe
- Celia Young
Congregational Draft Covenant of the Unitarian Universalist Church of RockvilleWe, the members and friends of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockville, dedicated to a free and responsible search for truth, meaning, and spiritual growth, agree to this covenant in order to promote a vibrant, healthy congregation. In this spirit, I covenant: With the Congregation to: Share my personal talents, time, and other resources with UUCR while respecting the commitments I have made outside the church community. With Each Other to: Engage in healthy, honest communication--listening well and speaking with respect, understanding, and caring. Work respectfully to resolve concerns directly with the parties involved. If an issue remains unresolved, I will work through established UUCR channels. Honor the unique identity of each member and friend. Respect and appreciate the work of all volunteers. Accept and forgive imperfection. Respect the personal boundaries of each person and be mindful of the importance that UUCR be a safe place for all. Appreciate that our UUCR community makes decisions through a democratic process. With the Minister to: Be open to the person, message, and leadership of the minister. Work with the minister in the spirit of shared ministry. Respect the personal time of the minister and his or her family. Be open and honest with the minister both with praise and in disagreement, and share my concerns directly in a respectful manner. Work through appropriate channels if I have unresolved issues with the minister. Remember that the minister is human like the rest of us, and have reasonable expectations. With the Staff to: Be courteous and respectful. Be thoughtful when requesting services and using staff work space. Work respectfully to resolve concerns directly with the parties involved. If an issue remains unresolved, seek resolution through appropriate channels. Respect work hours and the personal time of staff. Show appreciation for work done. |