Right Relations

Welcome to Right Relations

First Unitarian Portland strives to build Beloved Community both within and beyond our congregation. Internally, this means being explicit in how we treat each other, as well as what happens when conflict arises – as it naturally will! We covenant together to wisely manage such conflict in order to restore us to right relations with one another.

To be in Right Relations is to experience a sense of wellbeing that happens when we bring our best selves to all our interactions to resolve conflicts in a constructive way. A covenant is a set of promises we make to one another in community. Thus, to covenant with one another to be in right relations is to engage in the spiritual and everyday practice of building and maintaining healthy connections.

Three documents define Right Relations at First Unitarian Portland:

For additional information, email rightrelations@firstunitarianportland.org.

Members

During the summer of 2025, the Right Relations Formation Task Force interviewed and selected the following members to serve on the Committee on Right Relations:

  • Lena Lee
  • Lauren MacNeill
  • Teri Martin
  • Cindy McEnroe
  • Deborah Murray

Background

The need for an updated Conflict Resolution Policy has been discussed for many years within our church community and now has become a reality. In October 2024, the Governance Committee of the Board convened a Right Relations Formation Task Force to develop guidance and best practices for Right Relations at First Unitarian Portland. Members recruited for the Task Force had significant experience in large church governance and/or conflict resolution. The Task Force reviewed processes used by other UU churches and institutions, consulted with experts in right relations and conflict resolution, and completed the “Tending Covenant” course developed by the UUA.

The Task Force’s work resulted in the 3 guiding documents above, which were reviewed and approved by the Governance Committee and then by the entire Board on May 7, 2025.

Activities as of Summer 2025

The Right Relations Formation Task Force  has been asked to establish the now-approved Committee on Right Relations by inviting applications to serve on this committee. Applications are due to the Task Force by July 15 with interviews and selection during August. 

The members of the Committee will be announced to the congregation in September 2025, at which time the Formation Task Force will disband. One of the Committee’s first activities will be to educate the entire community on what we mean by Right Relations and how to receive help in restoring right relations when conflict inevitably develops.