Our Covenant

Congregational Covenant

At the November, 22, 2015 Congregational Meeting, members voted to approve the following detailed Covenant.

We, of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock, choose to become part of a community with a common purpose to foster an atmosphere where the Unitarian Universalist Principles will be learned and practiced.

We covenant with one another to freely explore our religious (or theological or spiritual) beliefs and to honor our diversity as a source of communal strength. We will work together to reach our highest potential as individuals and as a community by:

…Accepting, respecting and celebrating differences among us, always remembering the “Golden Rule”;

…Contributing to the Congregation intellectually, financially and with gifts of time and energy and by honoring each person’s need for self-care;

…Expressing thoughts and feelings directly, speaking honestly with kindness, keeping an open mind and listening deeply, balancing our need to be heard with an obligation to listen, assuming good intentions in all interactions, and;

…Acknowledging that while we may not always agree with congregational decisions, we will honor the decision-making process and respect the outcomes.

We will attempt to resolve any conflict with another congregant by direct communication with that person first, or by seeking the assistance of a minister and/or the Committee on Ministry. Should a congregant choose not to participate in dispute resolution, then that congregant agrees to drop the matter and not involve others.

Recognizing that our Covenant is aspirational, and in affirmation of the common purpose that unites us, we will support and do our best to abide by this Covenant.