This is Laurel Hallman’s closing statement at the UUA presidential candidate debate and this concludes the segments from this event. Please visit the previous segments (listed at bottom):
(Coming up on this blog: the GA forum on environmental issues – Beyond Darwin and Lincoln – in which both candidates took part).
My full transcript is here uuacandidateforum, and a link to the video segment is here:
Closing statements
Rev. Dr. Laurel Hallman (first speaker):
I am thrilled tonight at how many people are here, and we’re a year out, there will be long stretch where we’ll be visiting districts and you’ll be hearing from us on the web and there will be more information all the time ’til we expect all of you back at GA next year and where we can vie for your votes one more time.
Some friends of mine made up a list, called “When Laurel Leads.” I have carried it around with me as a kind of talisman, as a place for me to remember myself and what I do, and I’m going to close by just reading some of the things that happen — at least according to some of the people I know — when I lead. And some of them are out of the congregational experience, and some are not.
We are transformed in our worship together.
We claim the strength and possibility in our tradition.
We claim our power.
We honor the power that is not ours, in awe, in wonder and in all the ways that we discover that we are not in charge.
We create the beloved community, diverse and enriching.
We give and ask others to give joyfully.
We respect each other.
We are tenacious in our pursuit of justice, we change our communities, we make good choices.
We pay attention.
We listen to the voice of wisdom within.
We take care of what we have (a big, big thing).
We practice discernment (those are choices of depth and faith).
We trust our leaders and we trust ourselves to make good decisions.
We plan for the future.
We give our children wise teachings.
We are loving human beings.
We live from a center of strength.
We honor our varied experiences of the Holy.
We sing.
And we say thank you to each other and to life.
Thank you for being here tonight. [applause]
[Rev. Dr. Hallman spoke without notes first and then read her text]
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Previous segments from this event:
Opening speech by Rev. Peter Morales
Opening Speech by Rev. Dr. Laurel Hallman
Question 1: What would be your top priorities as you begin your administration, and looking back in four or eight years, what would constitute a successful presidency?
Question 2: What is your strategy for growing Unitarian Universalism, and do you have an elevator speech?
Question 3: Tell us your understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of policy governance and how you understand the relationship between the president and the board of trustees
Question 4: On the topic of anti-racism and anti-oppression, what experiences have you had that help you deeply understand the mindset and values of another culture? Are there practical things you will do to help congregations take authentic steps of transformation?
Question 5: President Sinkford and the Board have taken steps to focus the UUA on congregations, and there has been a simultaneous reduction of the number of independent affiliates. What are your thoughts on those changes?
Question 6: What are your thoughts on youth ministry and young adult ministry? Are there actions you would take regarding these ministries within the UUA?
Question 7: What is the value of international work in the future of Unitarian Universalism?
Question 8: Tell us what is at the center of your personal faith.
Question 9: Tell us about an innovative, high performing team that you have built or been part of. How would you create an environment for innovation within your leadership team?
Question 10: It is evident that the presidency of the UUA is a very stressful position. Do you have the courage to be lonely?
Closing statement Rev. Peter Morales
