Advertisement
Widening the Circle of Concern
The UUA is preparing to present a five-year implementation plan to take up recommendations in Widening the Circle of Concern, the Commission on Institutional Change’s report on structural racism in Unitarian Universalism. The plan will be introduced at General Assembly this June, but the UUA is already adapting its policies and practices to embody its antiracist and anti-oppressive commitments and urges congregations and other UU organizations to do the same.
“This is not just another initiative,” said UUA Executive Vice President Carey McDonald. “It’s at the center of all our initiatives for the coming years. It’s the foundation.”
The Commission’s report is the result of three years of work launched by the Board of Trustees in 2017. Its recommendations touch on many aspects of UU life, including the UUA, congregations, seminaries, professional organizations, governance structures, and other UU groups.
Congregations received a copy of Widening the Circle of Concern last summer, but additional copies are available at inSpirit: UU Book and Gift Shop.
A Study/Action Guide can help congregations and UU organizations engage the Commission’s analysis of structural racism within UU systems and apply its recommendations. Sign up to receive a copy, updates on learning opportunities, and additional resources at uua.org/widening.
To help coordinate the UUA staff’s work on the recommendations, the Rev. Marcus Fogliano, who was the Commission’s project manager, has become project manager to the Office of the President. The UUA has also formed a cross-staff Implementation and Mission Alignment Team, which is drafting the implementation plan and evaluating how dozens of staff projects are already furthering the call for the UUA to be an antiracist, anti-oppressive, and multicultural faith community. A cross-departmental Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Team is focused on workplace culture change and providing ongoing learning opportunities for employees.