Cedars Unitarian Universalist Church

For many Unitarian Universalists, both in and outside of congregational life, social justice is very important and considered an essential element of spirituality. Regardless of whether a congregation makes social justice work a priority, many individuals within the congregation actively engage.

Did you know that the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) has a long-standing, established Social Witness Process that is available to all congregations? Did you know that UU’s around North America are engaging in that process in preparation for this summer’s General Assembly (GA)?

“While called by various names, the social witness process is the method by which the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) comes to understand and act on the social issues of our times, finally bearing witness through statements adopted as UUA policy by the delegates of a General Assembly. The process has been an integral part of our faith since the merger between the Unitarians and the Universalists in 1961. This process is congregationally driven and is facilitated by the Commission on Social Witness (CSW).”

Channie Peters

This process provides each congregation with the opportunity to both present an issue for consideration to the Commission on Social Witness, and also to vote in a congregational poll for the short list of issues that will be voted on at GA. Once delegates from congregations select the issue for official study/action at GA for the next four years, the UUA prepares resource and study guides for congregations to use.

The proposed alternatives for Congregational Study/Action Issues (CSAIs) for 2010-2014 are:

· Ending Slavery

· Energy, Peace & Justice

· Immigration as a Moral Issue

· National Economic Reform

· Nuclear Disarmament

· Revitalizing American Democracy

Congregations who wish to are currently voting via a poll to deselect one of the above proposals since only five can be placed the on final agenda for selection at GA. One of the five will be chosen as the CSAI for 2010-2014.

An example of the resources available to congregations or individuals who are interested in a CSAI is the one on “Ethical Eating: Food and Environmental Justice”, which delegates at the 2008 General Assembly selected to be the 2008-2012 CSAI. The complete text of the CSAI and a study guide is available on the UUA website. Similar resources are available for the 2006-2010 CSAI: “Peacemaking.”

UU congregations may participate in the selection process, and/or in availing themselves of the study/action resources to whatever extent they wish. Cedars has not previously participated in the UUA’s social witness process. This is not by design, but more by default. There hasn’t been a critical mass of members who expressed any interest in organizing the congregation to propose an issue to the Commission on Social Witness, or to meet this year’s February 1st deadline for voting on the six alternative issues for 2010. If Cedars’ members would like to participate in this process in the future, the Board of Trustees would certainly consider a proposal to do so by members willing to organize the effort.

Regardless of our participation in the CSAI selection process, we can still avail ourselves of the excellent resources provided for study and possible action: the “Ethical Eating” and “Peacemaking” CSAI’s, and other topics approved over the last decade, that can be found on the UUA website.

I am delighted that an aspiration frequently expressed in Conversation Circles is that we support and encourage more small groups where we can get to know each other better and deepen relationships. Using CSAI study guides and resources for a small group could be a perfect way to nurture our learning spirits and serve justice with compassion, while deepening, enlivening, and expanding our relationships within our Cedars community. Is anyone interested in organizing a study circle on “Ethical Eating” or “Peacemaking”?

Channie Peters, President

Cedars Unitarian Universalist Church

A Welcoming Congregation

Send e-mail to Webmeister with questions or comments about this website. Last modified: October 27, 2009. © CUUC 2001 - 2009, all rights reserved. Website designed and maintained by

Send e-mail to Webmeister with questions or comments about this website.
Last modified: October 27, 2009. © CUUC 2001 - 2009, all rights reserved. Website designed and maintained by