Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Pagan
What Would You Ask the (UUA) President?

What Would You Ask the (UUA) President?

Last updated on: February 20, 2017 at 5:56 pm by Alison Leigh Lilly

What Would You Ask the (UUA) President? 2017-02-20T17:56:52+00:00 Alison Leigh Lilly

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Candidates Forum. From left: Jeanne Pupke, Susan Frederick-Gray, Alison Miller
Photo © 2016 Nancy Pierce/UUA

Perhaps the least quoted of the Seven Principles in Unitarian Universalism is the 5th Principle — “The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.”

Even if you’re not a die-hard UU, you’re probably familiar with the two most popular principles: respect for the interdependent web of existence (7th), and the inherent worth and dignity of every person (1st). And yet the 5th Principle is where the rubber meets the road: where we find a balance between the many and the one, the individual and the group. From the very beginning, UU has been dedicated to the work of empowering individuals to practice deep discernment and build consensus in community together. (Even the Seven Principles themselves were created and adopted democratically!)

Rev. Parisa Parsa writes about the power of the 5th Principle:

“In our religious lives, the democratic process requires trust in the development of each individual conscience—a belief that such development is possible for each of us, as well as a commitment to cultivate our own conscience. We could call it a commitment to the value of each person. […] My connection with the sacred is only as precious as my willingness to acknowledge the same connection in others.”

As we enter a new year, in the wake of a contentious national election and an uncertain future, we’re challenged again to reaffirm this commitment — not just as individuals in our own lives, but as members of the many overlapping and interwoven communities and organizations we belong to.

This year, UUs will have a chance to put this important principle into practice once again as we elect the next President of the UUA. At GA last June, three candidates introduced themselves and shared their vision and passion for the future of UU: Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, Rev. Alison Miller, and Rev. Jeanne Pupke. Now, we invite you to send us your questions, curiosities and concerns — what would you like to ask these candidates about their vision for the future of Unitarian Universalism?

Our role

As Pagan and earth-relating members of the larger UU community, we have a unique perspective and a unique role to play in this process of community discernment and discovery. We’d like to hear from you: what concerns are most pressing that you would like the future UUA President to address? What issues are most important to you? What questions do you have for these three candidates?

In the coming months, the CUUPS Board will be convening a committee to compile and organize questions to submit to the UUA Presidential candidates, and share their responses with you as we approach this year’s election. If you have a question you would like to submit, please email it to us at <[email protected]> by March 1st, 2017.

Below, you’ll find some examples of questions that have been asked in the past to help spark your imagination. For more information about the candidates, check out this article and video of the GA Presidential Forum, as well as these additional posts by and about the candidates.

~~~

Sample Questions:

• What will be your top priorities as president?

• How have your past experiences shaped your approach to issues of diversity and multiculturalism?

• What is the core of your personal faith? How does it help you lead?

• What are your ideas for creating a more vibrant and engaged youth and young adult presence within UU?

~~~

More Resources:

• “Presidential candidates present their visions for leading Unitarian Universalism”

• Presidential Candidates Forum, General Assembly 2016 video

• Essays by the Candidates:

– Miller: “Blood of UUs Courses Through My Veins“

– Frederick-Gray: “Sense of Mission Draws the Best Out of People“

– Pupke: “I Want Us On Fire“

• Candidates’ Websites:

– Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray – http://susanfrederickgray.com/

– Rev. Alison Miller – http://www.alisonforuuapresident.org/

– Rev. Jeanne Pupke – http://www.jeannepupke.com/

Uncategorized

Previous Post

February 20, 2017

Introducing Sacred Flexibility to the Hymn Sandwich

Next Post

February 21, 2017 Becoming the Rain

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Current Events CUUPS Press Release Interfaith liturgy Media Review podcast Religious Education Seasonal Reflection Spiritual Practice Summary Uncategorized

Select a Month July 2026 June 2026 April 2026 January 2026 December 2025 October 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 February 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz