The 8th Principle: We voted “Yes!” Now What?
Thank you! A highlight of this year has been the vote to adopt the 8th Principle at UU Asheville. Post-vote, our journey continues. Maybe it is more of a trek: arduous and often slow, as we work together to co-create Beloved Community within and beyond these four walls. Part of the trek involves personal reflection and learning. Below are two opportunities for you to consider:
Participate in the Explorers Book Club which reads and discusses group-selected books that explore the lives of people of diverse identities & cultures. They read both nonfiction and fiction books written predominantly by authors from diverse identities & cultures to broaden personal understanding as well as our congregational efforts to work towards multicultural Beloved Community. They will continue to meet during the summer. If interested, contact Deanna Banks deanna@dbanksllc.com for details. Below are a few of the books they read this year. You might consider them for summer reading.
What We Carry: A Memoir by Maya Shanbhag Lang
Centering: Navigating Race, Authenticity, and Power in Ministry by Mitra Rahnema
How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith
Learn about the work of the Community Reparations Commission and how the Racial Justice Coalition is building support for their recommendations. RJC is inviting citizens to sign a pledge in support of reparations. Their goal is 5,000 signatories by July 1 and 8,000 by August 1–which just happens to be 3.5 % of Buncombe County residents. Why? RJC knows that political science researchers have determined that when 3.5 % of a local population are activated for social change, that change is more likely to take place. Thus, this individual pledge. So, check out the website above, and consider not only signing the pledge but also sharing it with friends.
Beyond personal study and reflection, the work we do in partnership with the community is how we really put our faith in action. What might that look like for our congregation? Some individual members are involved in the Racial Justice Coalition, CoThinkk, Faith4 Justice, and other local justice organizations. What does involvement look like at the congregational level? I do not have answers. Determining next steps is something we must do together. As congregational life winds in anticipation of summer, I invite you to imagine how adopting the 8th Principle will change us, UU Avl. Our vote must not be performative. I welcome hearing your thoughts and look forward to exploring possibilities together in the fall.
With gratitude,
Rev. Claudia Jiménez