Celebrating Our Theological Diversity
Diversity Forums

As part of our diversity project, three forums have been scheduled this summer to discuss ways to make our theological diversity an even greater source of energy and learning within our UUSIC community. Each forum will take place immediately after that Sunday’s service:

• June 6, with Rev. Benjamin Maucere facilitating the discussion
  • June 6 forum summary
• July 25, with Kathryn Henry facilitating the discussion
  • July 25 forum summary
• August 15, with Nancy Noyer facilitating the discussion

Forum questions
The forums begin with participants answering a series of questions that include:

1. Why do you care about the issue of theological diversity?

2. Is UUSIC is a place where you feel safe to talk about your theology?

3. Have you ever experienced a time when dismissal or disrespect has been shown for your beliefs? How did you react? What did you do or say?

4. When have you experienced theological diversity within our UUSIC community as a source of energy and/or learning?

5. What can we do to improve the odds of this happening more often?

Guidelines
As we discuss issues, we honor these guidelines:

• Equality - Everyone comes to this conversation equally. Whether from election or office, there is no privileged status in this room.

• Personal responsibility - Personal responsibility is a deeply felt UU value; therefore we will use “I” statements, speaking for ourselves rather than speaking for “they,” who may or may not be here to speak for themselves.

• Respect - Respect is foundational to our human community; therefore we assume goodwill on the part of speakers. We will listen without interrupting, and wait until others have spoken before expressing our views a second (or third...) time.

• Truth - Truth wears many faces. Everyone's opinion is important. We sometimes learn most from those with whom we disagree; therefore we listen with open ears to everyone's views.

Please join us at the next forum -- all are welcome!