Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

All congregations have conflicts and growing pains.  AUUF is no different! :-)  While we've had the above covenant to lead us for over a decade, many of us felt we needed a little more to fill in between the lines.  A small group of volunteers got together, sought input from various teams and committees and then submitted this Covenant of Healthy Relations for approval from the congregation at our annual meeting in May 2022.  The fellowship voted to accept it and in addition to reminding us to try to be our better selves, it also encourages us to accept our imperfect humanity and celebrate the good we accomplish as well.  

​​

Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (AUUF)- Covenant of Healthy Relations 2022

This document expresses the hopes we have about how we want to relate to one another and how we want to translate our Unitarian Universalist values and principles into action. Members and friends of AUUF are encouraged to join in these intentions with kindness and respect to ensure that this community thrives and can accomplish its mission in the world. This is a living document and may change and grow as our congregation evolves.

Approved at Annual Meeting May 2021

 

We strive to...

Care:
● Bring our best selves to our relationships with one another.
● Grow in spirit by deepening our connections and camaraderie with each other.
● Create a welcoming environment and include people of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds.
● Remember that everyone’s feelings matter to the well-being of the entire community.
● Honor the many beliefs in our fellowship and our world.
● Practice self-care by listening to and meeting our own needs; encourage others to do the same.

 

Communicate:
● Speak with respect, keeping our words true, caring and necessary.
● Meet people where they are with empathy.
● Listen to understand rather than to judge or prove a point.
● Talk with rather than about others.
● Add our viewpoint to the mix while also taking care to make space for others.
● Leave space for joy and humor.

 

Contribute to our community:
● Be informed about the needs and events of our congregation. Be willing to help.
● Give generously of our time, talents and financial resources in a way that is sustainable.
● When presenting problems, include ideas or resources for solving them.

● Care for AUUF’s physical environment and contribute to its maintenance and improvement.
● Encourage younger members to bring forth new ideas and assume leadership roles.
● Attend to our own personal development and/or spiritual growth for the health of our community; encourage and applaud others for doing the same.
● Express appreciation for the minister, staff and board and honor the limits of their roles. For example, we respect their schedules and time off.
● Recognize and work to find value in different needs, approaches, skills, and leadership styles.
● Grow our awareness of racism and other forms of discrimination within ourselves and our community. Engage in the daily work of transforming this discrimination into love and justice.

 

Collaborate to resolve conflict:
● Remember that addressing conflicts directly can lead to growth and greater understanding.
● Build strength to stay engaged with one another through difficult conversations.
● Speak up when we feel hurt (saying “ouch” in the moment). Clarify or address the situation soon.
● Listen with an open spirit. Hold ourselves responsible for hearing all sides and assume good intentions.
● Remember that we can still cause harm (impact) without intending to (intent). Acknowledge when we cause harm, even unintentionally.
● Work to resolve conflicts directly with the parties involved, maintaining openness and compassion.
● Forgive ourselves and others.
● Be willing to be transformed!

​

Download the AUUF Covenant of Healthy Relations (pdf)