Recently we thought about some possible guiding principles for our informal ‘Discover and Discuss’ services, where we listen to some thought-provoking ideas, and discuss them afterwards. As Unitarians, like everyone else, we face the challenge of balancing two equally important principles during discussions: everyone’s right to freedom of speech and thought, and everyone’s right to feel safe and respected. Here’s what we’ve come up with so far – what do you think?

• We aim to give everyone the chance to speak and be heard.
• Please put your hand up if you want to speak, and the worship leader will call on you, so that we don’t get people speaking over the top of each other.
• We need to finish on time, so if a discussion goes on for too long, the worship leader may break into it to let you know that the discussion needs to stop so that we can move on to the next section, or finish on time. We can always have more discussion over coffee after the service.
• People who have not yet spoken will be given priority over those who have, so everyone gets chance to speak at least once. The worship leader will call out who speaks and in what order. This might occasionally mean that you want to speak, and don’t get chance. If so, please do carry on your discussion in the coffee time!
• We all do it from time to time, but we try not to interrupt each other – let’s listen respectfully.
• We are all free to form our opinions and disagree with each other and with what we’re hearing!
• We all have the right not to speak if we don’t want to.
• We all agree to be kind and respectful to each other, and have a good discussion.