Unitarian Universalism is a covenantal faith, meaning that we make agreements with each other about how we aim to live out our values and ideals in the world. Covenants are living documents, which are revisited regularly so that they can continue to call us anew to be the people the world needs us to be.

First Parish Covenant

We, the members and staff of First Parish Church Kingston, gather as a welcoming community and covenant as individuals to be truthful and respectful with ourselves and one another, to attempt to communicate effectively, to be open and welcoming to all who come within our midst, to listen respectfully without being judgmental and to practice love and compassion.

Recognizing that children and youth are vital to our community and our future, we will celebrate their presence amongst us, honor their ideas and encourage their creative individuality. Grounded in this covenant and our principals, we commit to open and respectful dialogue with the world at large while being supportive of social justice and humanitarian efforts.

Adopted April 2019

Governing Board Covenant

We, the members of the First Parish Kingston Governing Board, acknowledge this as “living” document and covenant with each other to:

  • Assume the best possible intentions;

  • Be kind, considerate and respectful by actively listening, being attentive with each other and handling differences with courtesy, fairness, and generosity of spirit;

  • Respect and value each other’s time;

  • Avoid triangulation by encouraging direct, clear and immediate expression of information, feelings and needs;

  • Say “YES” to new ideas by keeping an open mind about, and exhibit respect for, new and alternative ways and perspectives;

  • Create an atmosphere of trust, working to be clear when information should be held confidential and working to be transparent to the congregation and each other;

  • Communicate decisions to the congregation with one voice in a way that reflects the process and considerations that went into the decision;

  • Confront the assumptions in ourselves;

  • Accept and forgive imperfections in ourselves and in others;

  • Stay at the table, but when we need to step away and take time out, we will return as soon as it feels healthy.

Adopted February 2020