Tahoma Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Initial Steps of TUUC JUST PEACEMAKING (JP)

Consider UUA Statement of Conscience - Peacemaking to be presented for adoption at UUA General Assembly in 2011.
http://www.uua.org/socialjustice/issuesprocess/currentissues/peacemaking/index.shtml

TUUC Library: Paper copies of current draft UUA Statement of Conscience
& Establish JUST PEACEMAKING at TUUC with Congregational JP Pledge.
Begin to develop TUUC as a Center for JUST PEACEMAKING.

OUR COMMITMENT TO JUST PEACEMAKING(JP) Involves--

• Congregational engagement at all levels; planning, program selection, presentation, speaker contact, participation.

• Presentations/programs in support of Just Peacemaking, Ministry.

• Programs of Adult Spiritual Development and Religious Exploration.

• Program consistent with (UUA) Congregational Peacemaking Study/Action Issues.

• Website of Related UUA Information.

http://www.uua.org/socialjustice/issuesprocess/currentissues/peacemaking

CALLS to ACTION: Peacemaking "calls for action" provide a framework for action at all levels of human interaction listed as five Components. These five Just Peacemaking Components may be addressed through: Sermons, Speakers, Current/New Programs, Social Action.

NOTE: Future Program Considerations in each Component are flexible and will typically reflect direction indicated by the congregation through various information gathering processes.

A full report of information gathered through a congregational activity, 5/3/09, and planning workshop, 6/7/09, is available in August '09 Dialog, or from any Just Peacemaking Steering Committee member.


Component I.  INNER Peacemaking

We covenant to develop for ourselves and our congregations spiritual practices that cultivate inner peace. We covenant to sustain these practices as foundational to wholeness, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

Coordinator identifies needs of the members of the congregation and community and seeks programs to facilitate growth in achieving increasing levels of Personal Inner Peace.

Related programs/opportunities existing at TUUC

> On-going weekly lay-led practices promoting Inner Peace: Yoga,Vipassana Meditation; >Rotating classes led by congregants, staff, or guests facilitators ie. Spirit in Practice; >Rotating support groups in specific disciplines.


Component II.   INTERPERSONAL Peacemaking

We seek to create deeper peace in our relations with others, through learning to: listen more deeply; communicate our feelings and needs in effective, non-blaming non-shaming ways; handle conflicts skillfully and respectfully; see always the "inherent worth and dignity" in the other despite differences.

We covenant to: Learn and practice the skills of compassionate communication; Honor the behavioral covenants of our congregation; and Adopt lifestyle changes that reflect reverence for the interdependent web of all existence.

Coordinator identifies needs largely in the areas of Compassionate Communication and Conflict Resolution.

Related programs/opportunities existing at TUUC.

Covenant Group Ministry; >Nonviolent Communication; Principles, Workshop/Practice;


Component III. CONGREGATIONAL Peacemaking

We seek to create deeper peace within our congregation.

We covenant to take up peacemaking as part of our mission through worship, religious education, and social action.

Coordinator and/or Staff, receives concerns of the congregational members, encourages direct communication, identifies areas of concern, seeks to problem solve with relevant Board and Staff members. Keeper of the Covenant of Right Relations.

Related programs/opportunities existing at TUUC.

Covenant of Right Relations; >Welcoming Congregation; >Leadership - Facilitators Workshop.


Component IV. SOCIETAL Peacemaking

We seek to build a deeper understanding of systemic violence.

We covenant to act in the wider community in reducing the causes of institutional and structural violence.

Coordinators/Committee Chairs work collaboratively to coordinate all Social Justice activities of the TUUC congregation within the greater community.

Categories: Community Social Action(NGO-NonGovernmental Organizations); Environmental Sustainability; Peace/Conflict; Political/Governmental Activities.

Related programs/opportunities existing at TUUC.

>Community Social Action; >Associated Ministries; >TUUC Community Connection Network Directory; >"Green Sunday" Earth Day; >Washington UU Voices; >Letter Writing.


Component V. INTERNATIONAL Peacemaking

"We seek to build a deeper understanding of the causes of, and ways to prevent, war and intercommunity violence."

We covenant to advocate vigorously for policies that move the United States toward collaborative leadership in building a peaceful, just, and sustainable world.

Coordinates all activities of education, consciousness raising, voicing, demonstrating in U.S. Governmental and International Issues; Issues of war; Interacts with existing community Peace organizations.

Related programs/opportunities existing at TUUC.

>Support to Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC); >Letter Writing Program.


ORGANIZATIONAL Structure

JUST PEACEMAKING STEERING Committee develops and coordinates the peacemaking initiative within the SOCIAL JUSTICE area of the Program Council.

Current structure as follows (2009-2010):

Program Council Representative and JPChair: Jan Karroll This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Volunteers and folks with Suggestions/Comments contact Jan Karroll:253.752.9119

I . Inner Peacemaking: Coordinator, vacant

II Interpersonal Peacemaking: Coordinators, Vacant, Kay Coulter

Coordinates with Ministry/TUUC Program Coordinator in ongoing program planning.

III Congregational Peacemaking: Coordinator, Kay Coulter, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Coordinates largely with Membership and Ministry,

IV Societal Peacemaking: Coordinators, Jan Karroll, Charlie Dils

This Component includes most of our existing Community Service activities/donations.

Categories include: Community Service(NGO), Environmental Sustainability, Peace/Conflict, Political/Governmental, as well as TUUC Community Ministry Support. .

Community Social Action Chair: Karen Forchione, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

V International Peacemaking: Coordinator, Charlie Dils, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Integrate, increase awareness of International Peacekeeping concerns/efforts, particularly within the Unitarian Universalist structure.


"In reverence for all life, we covenant to practice peace by minimizing violence at all levels of human interaction."  (quoted from March 2009 draft UUA Statement of Conscience - Peacemaking)