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Rev. Joan VanBecelaere — Past, Present and (Revised) Future of Our UU Principles
September 3, 2023 @ 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Sunday Service — 10:30 a.m.
Leader — Reed Richmond
Speaker — Rev. Joan VanBecelaere
Title — Past, Present and (Revised) Future of Our UU Principles
Topic — One of the first things new UUs learn about is our list of Principles and Purposes (Article II) that contain our core values and a list of sources we draw upon. Some of us feel quite strongly about these statements. The Article II Study Commission completed a two year study of Article II (Principles and Purposes) in January 2023 and presented it to the UUA Board. The report included recommended revisions to Article II. As you might imagine, these proposed revisions to our Principles and Purposes were a very hot topic at the June 2023 General Assembly and voting on the changes will be a major topic at General Assembly 2024.
Where do the Principles come from? How were they first created and how have they changed over the years? Why was this review initiated? And what changes are being proposed?
It’s an often dramatic and contentious story of how we UUs articulate our core values, reaching back to the late 19th century. We will look at the past, present and future of our UU Principles.
Bio — Rev. Joan VanBecelaere is a retired Unitarian Universalist community minister living in Columbus, Ohio. Prior to retirement, she was the Executive Director of UU Justice Ohio. She currently serves on the board of the national Voter Empowerment Project, a non profit that supports increased voter engagement in under-represented and marginalized populations. She serves as treasurer on the board of the StoryTellers of Central Ohio and believes that effective story work can help us understand one another and change minds and hearts.
Prior to her work with UU Justice Ohio, Rev VanBecelaere was regional Lead with the Central East Region, district executive for the old Ohio Meadville District, vice president for student services at Iliff School of Theology in Denver CO, and taught as an adjunct instructor in UU polity.
She is a member of the North Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Lewis Center, Ohio. She lives in Columbus with her spouse, Jerry, and four rambunctious felines.
Fellowship has returned. Join us downstairs after service for coffee and conversation.
*Masks are requested in the building*