Covenant of Right Relations - First Parish in Cambridge

Introduction
Unitarian Universalists are united not by belief but by covenant: the sacred promises we make about how we treat one another and our world. Recognizing that conflict is normal and healthy, we embrace right relations not as a set of rules but as a spiritual practice that connects us to our own and others’ inherent worth and dignity and to the interdependent web of all existence. When our affections become strained, we seek to restore one another and our community to wholeness.

This covenant affirms our values and aspirations. Because we are imperfect beings, we will live this covenant imperfectly even as we seek its guidance. As each of us is responsible for upholding the covenant in congregational life, we will ask for assistance as needed from each other and our ministers.

We will lift up this covenant in our meetings, programs, communications, and worship. We will revisit it at least every five years, amending it as appropriate. It is a living document that will change and grow, even as we ourselves change and grow.

Covenant of Right Relations
In the spirit of right relations, we covenant to:

Acknowledge and celebrate our differences.

Listen compassionately, speak respectfully, and take responsibility for our actions and feelings.

Speak from personal experience, use “I” statements, and avoid judgment, generalizations, and offering unsolicited advice.

Deal directly with others to resolve conflict.

Strive to stay in relationship through conflict.

Fulfill our commitments, complete our tasks, admit our mistakes, praise each others successes, and say “thank you.”

Ask for help when needed and give help as able.

Assume the good intentions of others.

The Covenant of Right Relations was adapted by a congregational vote on June 6, 2010.

Learn more about Right Relations by reading or listening to sermons on Right Relations:

• Right Relations by Rev. Fred Small

• Conflict Transformation by Rev. Rebecca Benefiel Bijur

Attachments
Covenant of Right Relations
Process of Developing Covenant of Right Relations