Listening & Learning: A Congregational Conversation

The UU Meriden Board of Trustees received a request from members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Danbury (UUCD), who have asked our congregation to consider joining them in endorsing the Apartheid-Free Communities Pledge. This pledge is part of an interfaith effort opposing apartheid in Israel and aligns with the UUA’s 2023 Action of Immediate Witness on solidarity with Palestinians.

The UUCD has formally endorsed the pledge and is now inviting other UU congregations to learn about it and consider doing the same. They have asked to meet with members of our Board and congregation to share more about their process and the rationale behind their decision.

Given the moral, political, and spiritual weight of this issue, the Board believes it is important to begin with open and respectful dialogue within our own community. To that end, we will be hosting a Congregational Conversation after the service on Sunday, July 13. This will be an opportunity to learn more about the pledge, raise questions, and begin discerning how (and if) we as a congregation wish to engage with this issue.

At this initial meeting, we will focus on internal conversation—creating space for our members to share thoughts, concerns, and reflections. We have not yet made any decisions about whether to invite speakers from UUCD or take formal action. This is simply a first step in what we expect will be an ongoing process of discernment.

For more information:

• Read the UUA’s Action of Immediate Witness: “Embodying Solidarity with Palestinians” (2023)

• Learn about the Apartheid-Free Communities Pledge

• View the UUCD press release about their endorsement of the pledge

We hope you will join us on July 13 to be part of this important conversation.

In faith,
UUCM Board of Trustees