We invite you to read through the draft of our Peacemaking Commitment and send us comments by filling out the form at the bottom of the page.

DRAFT AS OF 2/9/2010
PEACEMAKING COMMITMENT OF THE UU SOCIETY OF GENEVA

As a force for compassionate social justice in the community, members of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva endorse a variety of principles and values. Among these values, we recognize that social justice is essential for peace.   The following document is intended to clarify our peacemaking values in a variety of contexts.

Peacemaking takes place in a variety of settings which interact with each other.  These begin with recognizing the worth and dignity of ourselves through inward peace and extend to honoring the worth and dignity of others in a variety of contexts.

A) Inward Peacemaking
We seek to develop peace and acceptance within ourselves. To this end, we recognize the importance of
• Taking time to look within, to know and respect  our own needs and feelings, and to develop a sense of centeredness around our own deepest values
• Educating people of all ages about effective approaches to inward peacemaking.
In addition, we support efforts of the church to
• Provide opportunities for learning how to deeply meditate and for practicing it
• Sponsor groups which focus on meditation

B) Interpersonal Peacemaking
We seek to communicate in a way that acknowledges the “inherent worth and dignity” of the other, no matter how much we disagree with them.  To this end, we commit ourselves to
• Listen thoughtfully to others’ needs and feelings
• Communicate our own needs and feelings verbally and nonverbally in positive, clear ways 
• Use nonviolent approaches to resolving conflict whenever possible
• Build greater trust and understanding among ourselves

 C) Congregational Peacemaking
We are committed to having our congregations be a model of clear, honest, respectful communication, and peaceful handling of differences. To this end, we support 
• Efforts of our Lifespan Religious Education to offer education across all age groups on communication and conflict resolution including clarifying our positions, actively listening to others, and considering win-win solutions, while avoiding power struggles and factions
• Efforts of UUSG’s “Caring Team” to oversee implementation of policies relating to the prevention, reporting, and response to issues of abuse, harassment, behavior problems, and similar matters.
• Efforts of Boards, Councils, and Committees of the church to use decision-making processes which ensure that all perspectives are heard and respected.
• Choices of our members and their children who participate or have participated in the armed forces of our country as well as those who choose conscientious objection.

D) Societal Peacemaking
We endorse changes needed to end oppression and/or violence, and we seek to act as a conspicuous witness for peace in our society. To this end, we support efforts of our Lifespan Religious Education to provide education which
• Challenges racism, classism, sexism, etc.
• Promotes respect and acceptance rather than glorifying verbal and physical violence.
Furthermore, we support efforts of our Social Justice Committee to
• Conduct collections for organizations which seek to build a just and peaceful society by promoting economic justice and human rights and by caring for those who are victims of injustice and violence.
• Provide opportunities for people to volunteer for organizations which promote justice in our society – 
• Promote events such as movies, speakers, and peace vigils which focus attention of the community on justice and peace.
• Collaborate with other churches and organizations which promote justice and peace.

E) Environment and Peacemaking
We understand our interconnectedness with the web of all life, and recognize that we must consider how our actions have consequences for life on earth. To this end, we support efforts of our Green Sanctuary committee to
•  Identify potential legislation for Action Alerts as the need arises regarding policies that promote 
o the sustainable use of resources so that there might be just and equitable access to these resources
o  efforts to reduce dependence on oil and other nonrenewable energy resources while increasing the use of renewable resources
o  a reduction of global warming
o  preservation and reverence for natural places and beings
•  Identify ways in which we  can assume individual and collective responsibility for reducing our “carbon footprints

F) International and Inter-Community Peacemaking
 We endorse efforts to build a global culture of peace based on empathy, compassion, and justice that comes from honoring universal human rights to education, a healthy economy, energy resources, food, water, and other natural resources. To this end, we support efforts of our Social Justice committee to 
• Include international organizations which support universal human rights among the recipients of Beyond Our Walls collections.
• Identify potential legislation for Action Alerts regarding policies supporting universal human rights and respectful communication
And we supports efforts of Lifespan Religious Education to
• periodically offer opportunities/programs/activities that promote a clearer understanding of religions and  cultures that are different from our own. Since the curricula for youth already contains elements of peacemaking and justice, opportunities offered to youth would enhance these opportunities.