Unitarian Universalists Adopt New Language on Core Religious Values
Annual business meeting brought more than 3400 Unitarian Universalists together online
Delegates also voted to embrace transgender people as a fundamental expression of religious values.
June 26, 2024
Media Contact:
Suzanne Morse
Ph: (508) 259-9354
Email: smorse@uua.org
Boston, Mass. (June 26, 2024) – Unitarian Universalists (UUs) adopted new language on core religious values at the denomination’s General Assembly (GA) from June 20th through June 23rd. GA is the annual gathering of UUs, where the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) conducts business, gathers in community, learns and worships together, and emphasizes the Association’s mission, values, and principles.
“This is a historic moment for Unitarian Universalism, as we move our living tradition forward to focus on shared values that will help promote liberation, radical inclusion, and communal care both within our church and across society,” said Rev. Dr. SofĂa Betancourt, the UUA’s President. “I am so proud of the work that our congregations, volunteers, UUA staff, and especially individual UUs have put in throughout this discernment process. It demonstrates how functioning democratic processes can be used to create change that is just and equitable.”
The UUA concluded a multi-year process of discernment to consider changes to Article II of the Association’s Bylaws, which included the Principles and Purpose. This process, which changes the way that UUs describe their beliefs and values, formally began in 2020 with the creation of a commission that recommended language focused on shared values. Two-thirds of the delegates at GA were required to pass the new language – 80 percent delegates voted in favor. The changes are effective immediately. Read more on the Article II revision process.
“The UUA’s bylaws mandate a regular revision process of this core religious language every fifteen years, and this section of our bylaws has been revised a number of times over the course of the UUA’s history. The last wholesale revision took place in 1987 and so much has changed in both our society and our congregations in the interim,” said Carey McDonald, the UUA’s Executive Vice President. “We’re pleased with the thoughtfulness and care UUs brought to this process. This new language honors the principles and traditions of UUs while allowing us to evolve as a faith.”
GA is the largest gathering of UUs annually worldwide. This year, the UUA held GA virtually, which meant that all business, workshops, and worship services were held online. By doing so, the UUA helped to increase accessibility and participation by UUs and UU congregations across the country. Additionally, the UUA believes holding online events promotes environmental sustainability, since delegates were not required to travel.
UU delegates from all 50 states and Washington, DC participated. 2,757 delegates from 734 congregations participated in voting democratically on denominational business. In total, there were more than 3400 attendees to the Assembly.
In addition to adopting new core religious values language, UUs considered a Business Resolution offered by the UUA’s Board of Trustees entitled “Embracing Transgender, Nonbinary and Intersex People is a Fundamental Expression of UU Religious Values.” The resolution supporting transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people, which required a two-thirds vote by delegates, was approved, with 92 percent of delegates voting to adopt. Business Resolutions are one mechanism by which UUs express their religious beliefs, and once passed, require the UUA to implement as part of the Association’s work. In addition to articulating theological reasons for supporting the rights of transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people, the resolution also enumerates ways that UUs can actively work to further this goal.
“The imperative to care for those most at risk, especially due to systems of injustice, is one of our defining religious commitments throughout our UU history. These systems imperil the basic human right to experience freedom from discrimination in all areas of life, including healthcare, education, housing, employment, free expression, and beyond. Denial of medical care and basic human rights causes profound damage and trauma, and is a violation of our core religious principles. Securing these rights for LGBTQI+ people and communities, whose rights are now at risk, is essential for their lifelong development and thriving,” the resolution said. “Our religious tradition is a living one, and today we collectively declare that our covenant inescapably binds us to affirmation and protection of our transgender and intersex members and kindred, in faith and in practice.”
Voting on Actions of Immediate Witness was also among the business conducted during GA 2024. UU delegates voted for social justice resolutions that support the need for humanitarian work to address climate change, solidarity with Palestinians, and centering love amid the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Delegates also adopted a Responsive Resolution that calls for the immediate release of all Hamas-held hostages. Additionally, UUs learned more about UU the Vote, the UUA’s nonpartisan civic engagement initiative focused on advancing democracy and organizing for justice and accountability. Finally, attendees learned more about the UU Climate Justice Revival, an effort by the UU Climate Justice Coalition and Friends to catalyze a shared vision and purpose within UU congregations to realize climate justice and collective liberation in UU communities and beyond. The Revival will take place on September 28th–29th.
In addition to denominational business and spiritual gatherings, UU participants attended workshops and other events focused on UU social justice priorities. These included gatherings for individuals to come together with like-minded peers to form close-knit and supportive communities that share common goals, interests, or experiences. View the General Assembly public agenda.
The UUA will hold its 2025 General Assembly from Wednesday, June 18th through Sunday, June 22nd in Baltimore, Maryland. Learn more about the annual General Assembly.
About the UUA
The UUA is the central organization for the Unitarian Universalist (UU) religious movement in the United States. Our faith is diverse and inclusive and the UUA’s 1000+ member congregations are committed to principles and values that hold closely the worth and dignity of each person as sacred, the need for justice and compassion, the right of conscience, and respect for the interdependent nature of all existence.