Following on from our recent AGM, I asked members of our congregation and community if they would like to contribute to the Unitarian ‘Code of Ethics’ survey, so that we could response to it as a congregation. If this is the first time you’ve heard of it, or you need a recap:

This survey is being run by the national Unitarian movement, the General Assembly, and it is intended to get congregations’ thoughts on what might inform a Unitarian Code of Ethics, following the motion to adopt this which was passed at the 2021 GA. Here’s an ‘Inquirer’ article by Maud Robinson which recaps this resolution from the 2021 GA about drafting a code of ethics, what it would cover and who is would apply to, the work programme for getting it done, and the survey itself.

For those wanting the full text of the resolution, it’s here – in 2021, the General Assembly voted in favour of the motion:

“That this General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches requests the Executive Committee (EC) to prepare and present a Code of Ethics for consideration by the 2022 Annual Meetings. This Code would be applicable to all who are recognised on the Roll of Ministers and Lay Pastors; to the GA Roll of Lay Leaders; and to those employed by the General Assembly. Once the code is adopted, the EC is further asked to consider recommending adoption of the Code by all Congregations, Affiliated Societies and Districts. To enable this outcome, the EC is asked to:
a) appoint an ad hoc committee to prepare a Code of Ethics;
b) call for submissions from member congregations, affiliated societies, districts, Ministers, Lay Leaders, and others employed or engaged in the Unitarian movement to support this work; and
c) ensure the Code contains appropriate mechanisms for addressing complaints, grievances and disciplinary matters.
Further, as the adoption and implementation of a Code of Ethics with a disciplinary mechanism will need to be consistent with established employment practices, the EC is asked to obtain a legal review to this end before presenting the Code of Ethics for adoption by the General Assembly.”

If you’d like to read the response we submitted as a congregation based on everyone’s replies, it’s here: