Eliot Chapel asks that everyone in ongoing relationship with the community

abide by the following covenant.

We, the congregation of Eliot Unitarian Chapel, learning from our past and forging a new path together, make this covenant:

• We will be open and honest in our governance and in our interactions with one another.
• We will recognize and celebrate our differences, and not be surprised when we disagree.
• We will regard our diversity as an opportunity to learn from one another, and let our differences inspire discourse, not division.
• We will be kinder to one another than we have to be.
• We will remember that this covenant, like our community, is a work in progress.

We will live these principles by promising:

• To listen fully to each other, with open mind and heart.
• To be sure we understand the other person’s point of view before responding with our own.
• To talk over differences in opinion with each other directly, openly and respectfully.
• To speak clearly of our own experiences, and to propose our own solutions.
• To seek out, personally and actively, complete information about issues of importance to us.
• To share our opinions responsibly and respectfully, choosing an appropriate time, place and person(s).
• To recognize and honor in each other the good intentions and motivations that lead us to speak up in our church.
• To follow existing processes for conflict resolution at Eliot Chapel.
• To focus our communication on finding ways to improve our church for all members and friends.
• To follow these promises in all forms of communication: one-on-one, in groups, in person and electronically.
• To greet newcomers warmly and welcome them to our church with interest and empathy.
• To remind ourselves and each other of these promises, regularly and gently.