17-05_KukuiLamalama

From: Leadership Council
Subject: A Message from the UUA
Leadership Council
Date: April 6, 2017 at 1:10:39 PM EDT
Dear Congregational Leaders,
Kukui Lamalama Volume 2017 Number 5 May 2017 Page 9
The past few weeks have been difficult for many of us
in the Unitarian Universalist community. The pain resulting
from patterns of institutional racism and the
impact of white supremacy within our Association has
been shared openly and urgently. This pain reflects
generations of injustice and unfulfilled commitments
to dismantle racism — not just a few weeks of conversation.
We offer our apologies and prayers for
those who have been harmed. We thank those Unitarian
Universalists of Color whose courageous voices
have led the way in this conversation and renewed
commitment.
For those who may not be fully aware of this situation,
a recent hiring decision at the UUA opened an urgent
conversation about institutional racism within the
UUA. President Peter Morales acknowledged that his
response to the concerns deepened the hurt and created
more alienation and division. On March 30,
2017, Rev. Morales announced his resignation. The
UUA Leadership Council offered an apology for the
ways the UUA has failed to live into our highest values
of equity and inclusion. You can learn more in
this UU World online article. We also encourage you
to read what other Unitarian Universalists and UU
groups are saying about this situation. This UU
World article has a partial compilation of other voices
and opinions.
Yesterday, on Wednesday, April 5, Rev. Harlan
Limpert, Chief Operating Officer, and Rev. Scott
Tayler, Director of Congregational Life, announced
their decisions to resign, effective April 20 and June
30, respectively. The Board has asked the Rev. Sarah
Lammert, Director of Ministries and Faith Development,
to serve as Acting COO in the interim, until
the June 24 presidential election at General Assembly
in New Orleans. We send our prayers to Peter,
Harlan, and Scott, and honor them for their years of
service with the UUA. We understand and appreciate
that their difficult decisions were reached out of love
for our faith and hope for our future.
The Board of Trustees is in the process of selecting a
president to serve immediately until the GA 2017
election. In the meantime, the UUA Leadership Council
has begun putting together a plan for ways we will
engage in an immediate internal review of how our
institution advantages white Unitarian Universalists.
This will include, at least, a review of hiring and promotion
procedures and goals, the involvement of outside
expertise, working together with the UUA Board,
listening to those most affected, and engaging in critical
self-examination about how all of our programs
and initiatives advance our commitment to antiracism,
equity, and inclusivity. We are aware that our
Association’s inadequate responses to the expressions
of outrage have added harm upon harm. Now
we recommit ourselves to the work of listening, learning,
organizing, healing, and reconciling.
While many feel shaken by this change in leadership,
UUs around the country have also shared many expressions
of hope and resilience. This reminds us
that the UUA is much more than a staff and a board
striving imperfectly to fulfill our mission.
You and your best values are also the UUA. Your
congregations, together, are the UUA. Our children
and their curiosity are the UUA. Innovative communities
that are imagining new ways of living our values
are the UUA. People of Color, people with disabilities,
people who are trans, and others who have not always
found a welcome in our congregations are the
UUA. Your creative ministry and prophetic voice are
the UUA.
Thank you for your good ministry and for your support.
Your love, generosity, and service are the UUA.
Together, we are the UUA. Thank you.In Faith,
UUA Leadership Council
Taquiena Boston
Director of Multicultural Growth and Witness
Tim Brennan
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
John Hurley
Director of Communication
Rev. Sarah Lammert
Director of Ministries and Faith Development
Rob Molla
Director of Human Resources
Rev. Mary Katherine Morn
Director of Stewardship and Development
Mark Steinwinter
Director of Information Technology Services