The UUA Board of Directors is making a major shift toward a policy governance model. In the process they are working on a new “global ends policy,” i.e. a mission statement. Still in draft form, it has two components: core values and a statements. Today’s Unitarian Universalist Trivia Question of the Day asked what these were. The three core values that the Board has identified are wonder, connection, and transformation. These are what the Board believes the UUA exists to promote. The statement is more involved:
“Grounded in our covenantal tradition, the UUA will inspire people to lead lives of humility and purpose, connection and service, thereby transforming themselves and the world.”
Notably, wonder doesn’t appear in the statement. Presumably, the ideal of wonder is encompassed in the idea of living humble, purposeful lives.
The UUA will be seeking feedback on these ideas from the districts. So it’s time to start considering whether you’d like to pass along a comment. Do you believe “our covenantal tradition” can/should inspire people in this way? Do you feel the UUA’s purpose is to offer inspiration toward leading connected, purposeful lives? Do humility, purpose, connection, and service indeed lead to self- and world-transformation? What policies should the UUA adopt to promote this sort of transformational inspiration? Are there other ideals that you feel are left out? Whether you agree 100% or disagree 100%, these are worthwhile theological and practical issues to contemplate.
“Humility, purpose, connection, and service,” — like “covenant” itself — are such global words that anyone can claim that is what they are doing. Those Mormon youth at our door can say exactly the same thing with a clear conscience.
The devil is in the details. “Humility” is about the kind of ideal person you are not managing to become. “Purpose” — well, Rick Warren has one, too! “Connection” applies to everyone, since No Man Is An Island. And “service” has become the new “apple pie and motherhood” of our country. All theologies are represented in soup kitchens these days — on both sides of the lines. What is the “value” for those of us who are nowadays needing to ask for help?