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Recommendation to Revise the Principles
In early July, the Statement of Principles Task Force received the last set
of responses from the 26 Congregations who participated in the initial
Workshop. The Task Force was then able to construct a "matrix"
comparing the results from the Workshops to the current Statement of Principles.
While there can be (and has been) much discussion as to exactly how precisely
each one of our current principles reflects our collective values and
aspirations, the "big picture" conclusion is clear...
The current Statement of Principles still reflects the values of Canadian
U*Us. However, it appears that the current Statement is perhaps incomplete
and does not give voice to as many of our shared aspirations and values as it
might. Furthermore, the current Statement of Principles may not offer a
sufficiently clear and distinctive identity to someone exploring our
denomination for the first time.
For these reasons, the Statement of Principles Task Force is recommending
that the current Statement of Principles be revised and expanded, or rewritten,
to include the values identified by Canadian U*U's in spring 2004 workshops, and
to provide a clear statement reflecting our distinct identity.
The Task Force's job will now be to prepare an initial draft of the revised
Statement of Principles for review and consideration by the member congregations
at a series of Congregational Workshops that we are recommending be held early
next year. We are planning to have the workshop materials to congregations
by January 21, 2005, and are asking for responses back to us by March 21.
This will give us a time to revisit the document in time for tabling and
collective discussion at the 2005 ACM in Hamilton, in May.
Statement of Principles Task Force
October 2004
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