[Access] Fwd: Accessible Congregations Campaign

[David Gilmartin]

Mary,

My recollection, also, is that Steve supported becoming certified as  
an accessible congregation.

Regarding the wording, he said something about how we could or should  
"translate" the phrase we are concerned about into terminology which  
is within our traditions and acceptable to us. I did that in my letter  
to Ginny, at N.O.D., included below.

David

On Jun 16, 2008, at 4:56 PM, Mary Otten wrote:

> Well, it was my impression from the last meeting, for which I still
> haven't sent you all the minutes, that the rev was on board even if  
> the
> wording couldn't be changed. I had the idea that the rest of us were  
> as
> well, but I could be wrong about that.
>
> mary

Dear Ms. Ginny Thornburgh,

I am writing on behalf of the Accessibility Committee of the Unitarian  
Universalist Church in Eugene (Oregon) to inquire about the Accessible  
Congregations Campaign.

The committee has had several discussions on this subject, and has the  
following concern:

The Commitment Form states, as one of the principles being committed  
to, "In our congregation, people with disabilities are valued as  
individuals, having been created in the image of God."

Unitarian Universalists hold a variety of beliefs about God, and some  
of our members, we think, would likely object to this phraseology.

An alternate rendering more likely to gain acceptance by Unitarian  
Universalists might draw from the principles of member congregations  
of the Unitarian Universalist Association and read something like this:

"In our congregation, which covenants to affirm and promote the  
inherent worth and dignity of every person, people with disabilities  
are valued as individuals."

If our commitment to this principle is stated in this or a similar  
way, on our Commitment Form, the Accessibility Committee wishes to  
know if this would present any difficulties to our congregation's  
acceptance as an accessible congregation.

I look forward to receiving your response to this question.


Sincerely,

David Gilmartin