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Hello Jim, Well, think of all of those southern slave owners who found the comments from abolitionists to be distressing and hurtful. Should have the abolitionists not spoken? UUs have always been pluralistic, and if one finds oneself to be distressed by contrary opinions too easily, the open mind concept of idea exchange will break down pretty quickly...one person's "hurtful" speech is often another's "speaking truth to power". John Stowe

While we are at it, and more to the point, we should look even more carefully at the total lack of transparency and democratic processes in how the UUA leaders took over our denomination !!!!! Ann Stowe

No, I am not equating Eckloff to abolitionists, and this was not an analogy to suggest virtue on the part of Todd Eckloff. I am simply making the point that just because someone makes a statement that someone else finds "hurtful", that alone does not invalidate the statement. The value of a statement resides in its accuracy and utility, both immediate and long-term, and in the deepest sense of the term, which includes its intention. I don't remember any personal attacks by TE in his writing, just commentaries on various actions and statements made.  We aren't likely to agree on this, but I do not find your comments hurtful, in part, because I choose not to do so. Making the choice to not take offense is a personal pre-condition to any productive conversation.

Thank you to the committee for the work you're doing. I don't have an official role on a committee that warrants my official response about the changes, but I would like to say that the ever evolving side-by-side comparison is confusing and much too hard to follow. It includes some color coding (?) and all the "UUA changes or language" (some are yellow, the last one is not), and the far right columns with the old point/counterpoint comments, etc. Maybe this version is just for committee folks to review, but the congregation will need something much clearer if they are expected to understand the proposed changes. Again, thank you for all you're doing. I would be glad to discuss my concerns further in person or by phone if you wish.

I've known about the NAUA for some time, and I was reading through some of the newsletters that you have linked on this forum. I think we all understand why the NAUA came about and who it appeals to. While I think the idea of this forum is a good thing, I'm concerned about timing. I don't want this to become something that conflicts with our planned Discernment Process, so I'm going to hold off on further comments for now.

Jim - you may be misinformed about the NAUA. While Eklof is one of the founders, he is not the entire NAUA. While there are some facets that NAUA does not agree with UUA on, it is not indicating that NAUA is in opposition to the entire UUA and NAUA frequently tells people they can belong to UUA and NAUA. It is not an either-or decision. NAUA has some very good liberal religious focus. I am now a member of both, the NAUA as an individual and the UUA via our congregation UUSE.

I am thinking that NAUA is its own grassroots organization, however, I am not at all comparing it to, or suggesting that UUSE move away from the UUA. The NAUA could be an additional resource for liberal religion as well some day. I would love to have an in-depth conversation around it at some point after the discernment. In the meantime, I have been checking information from NAUA's website, however, have not fact-checked all that is out there: https://naunitarians.org/ I will also hold off on any further comments for now. Helping Liberal Religion Thrive North American Unitarian Associationis a member service organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the practice of liberal religion by embracing freedom, reason, and tolerance—rooted in our commitment to the inherent worth and dignity of every person and all peoples. About NAUA is a growing Association of Unitarians, Universalists, and other religious liberals. We are working together to support one another in our individual and congregational efforts to make our world happier and more just through the practice and promotion of our shared values.