The Upcoming Schism in Unitarian Universalism, Sunday, June 19, 2022

Emily Garrick

​Jamestown, N.Y. – The final service of the church year for the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Jamestown (UUCJ) will be led by recent Board of Trustees President Emily Garrick. 

The message for the Sunday, June 19, 10:30 a.m. hybrid service is “The Upcoming Schism in Unitarian Universalism (And What We Can Do To Prevent It).”

Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote seven Principles, which they hold as strong values and moral guides. 

Garrick explains that there are two visions for the future of Unitarian Universalism being circulated right now: The Gadfly Papers and the 8th Principle. She will talk about both and how they each envision the UU faith tradition going forward.

Garrick says, “Many religious traditions have had to go through the painful process of splitting their denominations in two over theological differences. Unitarian Universalism is still relatively young, but we may already have a schism of our own on the horizon. In this sermon we'll take a deep dive into The Gadfly Papers and the 8th Principle and examine their competing visions for the future of Unitarian Universalism.

“The Gadfly Papers are an expose written by a now disfellowshipped UU minister detailing his critiques of the movement. The 8th Principle is a proposed addition to the living tradition which would focus us more in the direction of dismantling racism and other systems of oppression. Each represents a growing movement of people within Unitarian Universalism who wish to take our faith tradition a different direction.” 

A graduate of Jamestown High School and Wells College, Garrick received her MS in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the University of Rochester. She teaches English as  a new language at Jamestown’s Washington Middle School.

A social time follows the service. 

Participation can be either in person at 1255 Prendergast Avenue in Jamestown or online. To join virtually, use the link at UUJamestown.org/calendar. While not mandated, vaccines, masks, and appropriate distancing are encouraged for those who participate in the service in person. 

This will be the last UUCJ service until the Sunday after Labor Day, September 11. Members and others are encouraged to participate in the Sunday, 9:30 a.m.,  summer services of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Chautauqua at the outdoor Hall of Philosophy at Chautauqua Institution. 

The UUCJ is a progressive, liberal religious community serving the southern tier of Western New York and Warren County, Pa. The UUCJ’s mission is to support and celebrate each other, encourage spiritual and individual growth, and serve the wider community.

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