Racial Justice, LGBTQiA, Indigenous & More
Building Beloved Community
The Building Beloved Community Committee is moving forward from the foundation work other East Shore groups have done before us. Specifically:
This congregation voted to adopt an additional 8th Principle to our UU faith’s 7 principles in 2022. Now a redo of our UU faith’s shared values, also known as Article 2, is scheduled for a vote by UU congregations during the annual gathering of UU congregations – GA – in June 2024.
We encourage East Shore congregants to engage in transformational work around anti-racism and healing. Most recently, several book discussions have been held and our Black Lives Matter flashtances continue to occur.
We are supporting and encouraging ourselves in our personal journeys by participating in a formal program called Beloved Conversations (the Among and Within versions) both as individuals and together as a cohort from ESUC.
Going forward, Building a Beloved Community will evaluate and consider how to implement multi-cultural, anti-oppressive practices in East Shore’s governance and membership. Work has already been done on best practices for welcoming new members and governance changes related to membership requirements.
We aim to collaborate with other groups at East Shore using a multi-cultural, anti-oppression lens as we all learn about healing, and work to transform our community. Most notably, we work with Welcoming Congregations and Indigenous Connections.
To get involved in any of our Anti-Oppression work, contact Nicole.
Upcoming Events
Join us for one of our upcoming events as we live our values!
Black Lives Matter Flash Stance: Woodinville
Black Lives Matter Flash Stance: Woodinville
Black Lives Matter Flash Stance: Bellevue
Black Lives Matter Flash Stance: Bellevue
Black Lives Matter Flash Stance: Issaquah
Black Lives Matter Flash Stance: Issaquah
Our Initiatives
Change Is Coming
In less than 3 minutes you can view and learn about Article II (where Unitarian Universalist values are expressed), from several of your own fellow East Shorians.
Black Lives Matter Flash Stances
Inspired by his 2015 trip to Selma, AL to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery March, church member Manuel (Manny) Brown felt called to action. He was further inspired when he attended the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly (yearly UU convention) a few months later when our governing body urged UUs across our country to support the Black Lives Matter Movement. Since then, a group of members meets most Sundays all over the eastside to share the message and spark conversations.
Welcoming Congregations
We know that religious spaces haven’t always been welcoming places for all people, especially when it comes to gender and sexuality. We are out to change that. East Shore Unitarian Church renewed their Welcoming Congregations status in 2023.
Welcoming Congregation Program helps us learn how to undo homophobia and transphobia in our hearts and minds, our congregations, and our communities.
The work of welcome is never done. Join us in doing this important work to make all feel welcome.
Indigenous Connections
If you are interested in learning more about indigenous-settler history and the challenges indigenous communities currently face, consider joining a subgroup of the 8th Principle Team. We are currently brainstorming ideas for programs, field trips, speakers, actions, and discussion groups for books and films. We welcome your presence and ideas! For the next several months, we will meet on zoom every other Thursday at 5:30 p.m. to share ideas, resources and reflections.
Resources
No Results Found
The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.
Our 8th Principle Work
Adopted 8th Principle
On June 13, 2021, the members of East Shore Unitarian Church voted overwhelmingly to adopt the 8th Principle.
In doing so, we became one of the first 100 congregations to adopt this principle.
“We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”
For testimonials from our members on why we support the 8th Principle, watch the video below (you will see 8 testimonials) or find them on our YouTube Channel.
Board Buzz: The 8th Principle
As a member of your Board of Trustees, I am writing to talk about a “milestone” congregational initiative. The Board is to be considering this initiative to support ESUC in its journey of becoming...
Pitch to the East Shore Board of Trustees Regarding the 8th Principle
We ask the Board to place the 8th Principle on the Annual Meeting ballot. We ask the Board to endorse passage of the 8th Principle. Over 40 congregations have done so in a national grassroots...
Why I Support ESUC Ratifying the 8th Principle
The existing seven principles of Unitarian Universalism describe what we are striving for, our guiding lights, what we are journeying toward. Supporting the 8th Principle also means covenanting to...
News & Opinion Pieces
Dubai to Baku Event
The Indigenous Connections Team hosted a wonderful event at the Duwamish Longhouse on April 20. The Duwamish Tribe donated the Longhouse and several members of the tribe attended the event. About 15...
May is AAPI Month
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and we recommend the following books for adults and children that center and honor the stories and histories of Asian Americans and Pacific...
Wear Red on May 5
Yes, we celebrate Cinco de Mayo on May 5th. However, did you know that day is also the National Day of Awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls? Also known as Red Dress Day, May...