IA? I . . Am? I Am . . . What?
(first in a series)

Suddenly, we of CUUPS have had a significant element of our identity stripped from us. Six months ago, we were, along with all the other theologically-based Independent Affiliates of the UUA, denied renewal of our status as Independent Affiliates. For some chapters and individuals, that equates to having awakened one morning to hear one's parents saying "You're not in this family any more." So, is that what it really means, no longer being an Independent Affiliate of the UUA? And if not . . . . what does it mean? Independent we still may be. But . . . do we really want to be "Independent", not within the UUA, but of it? And . . . are we, still, Affiliated? And if we are . . . in what kind of an affiliation?

The UUA did not, and does not, give us the right to call ourselves Unitarian Universalist Pagans. If we are UUs, and if we identify our religious path as Paganism, and if we choose to be in Covenental relationship, one with another, we thereby have the right to create a Covenant of Unitarian Universalists who are Pagan. Hence, CUUPS. And the 501c(3) status of your chapters is bestowed by their being recognized sub-groups of the National CUUPS organization, which is a 501c(3) religious non-profit organization, in full chartered status under IRS regulations. The UUA did not charter us, the state of Ohio did, and we are a 501c (3) organization, a religious non-profit whose status does not depend on the nature of our relationship with  the UUA. So, if your chapter charter is approved by the CUUPS National Organization, your 501c(3) status is untouched, whether the parent organization is an Independent Affiliate of the Unitarian Universalist Association, or isn't one. And since the UUA is an independent Association of Congregations, not a denomination, it cannot even be said that the UUA has repudiated us on the basis of "unbelief" . . . especially since every other faith-based former IA organization is in the same status. But that reaffirmation of our core identity as members of an independently chartered 501c(3) organization which is made up of covenental relationships amongst Unitarian Universalist Pagans (try saying that three times very fast!) does not actually explain to us how our relationship with the UUA has changed, or what we might like to do about that.

It looks as if the definition of IA status has changed in such a way that (I am quoting from a letter to me from Ms. Tamara Payne-Alex, of the UUA Board of Trustees) "Organizations which foster exploration of a particular theology, perspective or subject do not meet the new criteria for Independent Affiliate status." It further appears, from further exploration, both at GA 2007 and since then, that even though there appears to be a misperception on the part of the UUA about what CUUPS actually fosters in the way of a theological perspective, the answer to that question is actually mostly irrelevant in the context of our UUA relationship. In fact,  Pagans are as diverse in belief and denomination as is the UUA itself, and therefore many of us may be feeling that we are being slightly misconstrued by those who are not themselves Pagan. It is, however, up to us to present ourselves in such a way as to make others understand both our diversity and our true need for interconnection and co-operation, as far as these things exist. It appears, indeed, that the core of our, and of other theological UU entities', denial of IA status at the present time, may have little to do with what we pursue as our various theological perspectives, and far more to do with what that pursuit has perhaps kept us from doing. Our current lack of connection with the UUA as Independent Affiliates may, in fact, be directly related to the emphasis of that particular phrase as we have lived it for the last decade and a half. We have been, I believe, far too much "Independent", and far too little "Affiliated."

It would be ideal if CUUPS members also were pledging members of the congregation, actively engaged in the wider congregational life, and if Chapters were made up of individuals who were intrinsically part of their congregation, and if the Chapter itself took an active part in congregational life. "Interdependence" and "interconnection" are the watchwords for success in our endeavors at this juncture. If, for example, there is a Christian group in your congregation, how about presenting a joint service for Easter/Oestare, the one Feast which is actually far more similar than dissimilar for both religious paths, as it commemorates the beginning or return of Life to humanity and Mother Earth alike? How about creating a monthly meditation circle, alternately hosted by your CUUPS Chapter and your congregation's Buddhist group? How about a congregational Round Table discussion on what Pagans honor in connection with the Sixth Source? How about some scientific interaction with the Humanists in your congregation concerning the Astronomical roots of Astrology? The list of possible ways to further integrate your CUUPS Chapter activities with congregational life is nearly inexhaustible.

It is vital that CUUPS be one of the many activities CUUPS members participate in, not the only one. And the chapter also needs, as a chapter, to give back to the church. In my Chapter, Rainbow Chalice CUUPS in Salt Lake City, Utah, we do several services a year, teach at least one Adult Regal class a session, and host a monthly pancake breakfast that is hugely successful which is a joint fundraiser for the church and the chapter (we split the proceeds 50/50) As such, our chapter is seen as an integral part of the community, not a hanger-on. This is a very important way for CUUPS chapters to integrate with their church homes.

As many of you can attest from personal experience, in recent years it has again become harder and more risky to be publicly identified as a Pagan. The gift we have received as UU Pagans, the gift of complete and open recognition of, and respect for, our diversity of religious paths by the body of our Church who are not Pagan, is unique and priceless. There is no other non-Pagan religious denomination which has gone so far in affirming and supporting the individual search for truth and meaning of a non-mainstream religious path as has the UUA in relationship to its member Pagans. We, especially those of us who have undergone the rigours of religious persecution, can never fully express our deep and heartfelt appreciation for this gift. At this time, therefore, we believe it bears repeating that we continue to exist as an entity in complete and sacred covenant bonds with the UUA and with our host churches, and that this bond must be maintained, fostered and nourished by our behaviour, reaffirmed by our words and actions, and exhibited in our activities as chapters and as individuals. In short, it behooves us as CUUPS members, and as members of CUUPS Chapters, to conduct regular and frequent re-examinations of our chapter regulations, our activities, our interactions with our host churches, our personal covenant relationships with our church ministers and board of trustees, our statements to the press and to other Pagans, and every one of the actions we conduct under the auspices of CUUPS, in order to be certain that at all times we are in right relationship with the church bodies of which we are invited guests at the welcome table.

We can remain Independent, and we are still Affiliated. It is up to us how we demonstrate the ideals of interdependence and interconnection, so that our bonds with our host congregations grow ever deeper and more covenental, more loving, more essential to both parties. The UUA has given us a matchless opportunity here. We have the venue and the commission to show our congregations that they need their Pagan members, that we are an intrinsic part of the character of each and every one of our churches. For the next several months, this will be a place to explore different ways of doing that.

Love and blessings of the Yuletide to each and every one of you,

Maureen Duffy-Boose
Aisling the Bard
President, CUUPS-Continental

(next month: Right Relationship? Or a Right to Relationship?)