Rev. Virginia Jarocha-Ernst

What is a covenant? In the Free Church tradition, it is a “deep and abiding promise between equals.” Different from other kinds of relationships such as student and teacher, employer and employee, merchant and consumer – this covenantal relationship is voluntary and open ended. It only functions well when all parties are committed to making it work. Our Committee on Congregational Ministry (CoCM) has been asked to help us articulate our congregational behavioral covenant as part of our Threshold Growth Plan. Of course we already have our UU Principles and an implicit covenant about how we believe we should behave because of them. I know I have expectations of my behavior and of others, and I’m sure you do as well. But it should be an interesting process to work together to name them and clarify them. A behavioral covenant is more explicit than the quotes above. They often say things like: We will communicate directly, speaking for ourselves not others, with honesty and respect. Seek to understand first and then seek to be understood. Listen with curiosity, ask clarifying questions. Respond creatively rather than critically. And affirm the desire to remain connected despite our differences. All of these behaviors (and more) add to our freedom to remain in voluntary association. They promote civil discourse here in our community and equip us to live as advocates for peace out in the world. I am looking forward to this work of articulating our own covenant and hearing what you believe we need to promise one another.

Yours in faith,

Rev. Virginia

Next month’s theme is Transformation. If you have anything that you would like to add to the program and discussion, please forward to Rev. Virginia.