Discussion Questions -- Arthus Morrison

Mr. Morrison is now a member of the Commission, but was elected after the completion of this report. These questions were created for a workshop on the report.

Preface

The UUA Bylaws charge the Commission on Appraisal to "review any function or activity of the Association which in its judgment will benefit from an independent review and report its conclusions to a regular General Assembly."

1. How do you think the COA can change to make it more effective in addressing current issues facing the UUA, U.S., and world?

Framing the Question

1. What features of Unitarian Universalism, if you took them away, would leave us with something that is no longer Unitarian Universalism?
2. What, if you added it, would make Unitarian Universalism no longer Unitarian Universalism?

History

"Modern-day UU religious expression lacks a clear articulation of how Unitarian Universalist narrative, metaphor, theology, ethics, and practice relate to one another."

1. Discuss how you believe we can "claim our own heritage, define it as a sacred story, and articulate it as theology, ethics, and practice" linked together.

Culture

1. Why do UU congregations exist?
2. Where are we going?

Values

"The values UUs share are rooted in psychological common ground that appears to transcend differences among individuals' various cultures and faiths of origin."

1. Do you believe that statement correctly describes the source of our core values? Why?
2. If not, what do you believe correctly describes our core values?

Theology

The Report on page 91 offers "the following statements as descriptive of who UUs are theologically."

1. Discuss each of the “faiths” offered, and share which you think best describes your congregation, and why.

Worship

Review the types of service listed.
1. Select one that has not happened in your congregation. Why do you think it has not happened?
2. Select one that you would like to happen in your congregation. What can you do to make it happen?

Justice Making

1. What is the “mission” of Unitarian Universalists, individually and collectively?
2. What ethical imperatives flow from UU values and worldviews?
3. Should UU congretgations be a presence in the community, and if so, how?

Community

"Liberals want to create a strong and inclusive community but we often want to do it without giving up anything, without letting down the barriers we erect around ourselves in the name of individual autonomy."

1. List three things your congregation can do to overcome the inherent contradiction in the above statement.
2. Is it possible to accomplish both goals in the statement simultaneously?

Conclusions

The Report lists several conclusions and a "What next."

1. Rank order the conclusions in importance to you.
2. What does the UUA need to do to act on the conclusions.
3. Pick one conclusion, and, if willing, silently commit to two actions to help make it happen.

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