JETPIG Fun Reflects Serious Changes
An Opinion
by Rebecca Pace1, HUUC member
Many people across our Unitarian Universalist Association’s (UUA) spectrum are expressing excitement about the new Values approved at the 2024 General Assembly (GA). These Values replace the Seven Principles in Article II2 of the Association’s bylaws3.
Like a “shiny new thing”4, the fresh start has brought out the playful side of our musicians and religious educators. Graphics, songs5, games, and toys are being created to help children and adults understand the changes.
Perhaps nothing has attracted more attention than JETPIG. This clever mnemonic is a simplified way of remembering the six new values. The JETPIG letters stand for each of the values – Justice, Equity, Transformation, Pluralism, Interdependence, and Generosity. Accompanying the new JETPIG catchword/learning tool is the image of a pink pig wearing a jet engine pack. He flies in to introduce both young and old to the values that have replaced our Seven Principles.
With all the frivolity, I wonder if people really understand that there’s more to JETPIG than fun and games. Each value carries with it a covenant and action statement explaining how UUs will express (or embody) these values. The innocent laughter that accompanies this flying pig hides significant, potentially disturbing changes on the horizon.
The June 18-23, 2024 UUA GA was, in my opinion, serious business–the most significant GA since the 1961 sessions that merged Unitarianism and Universalism. The recent changes in Article II at GA 2024 may have spurred the most emotionally charged votes at that GA, but the next steps may loom as the most influential to the organization and its members. The UUA Bylaws Renewal Team is working to create proposed changes to Article III. Article III explains how Article II’s theory will become practice.
The June 2022 GA Business Resolution that established the Bylaws Renewal Team6 charged them to draft a “wholescale re-write.” The new bylaws framework should “reflect our theological commitment to liberation and inclusion,” and “provide accountability to our long-standing anti-racist and anti-oppressive commitments.”
Article III is where the proverbial “rubber meets the road” to make Article II more than simply words on a page open to multiple acceptable (sometimes opposing) interpretations. Article II may be the new “law” but Article III explains how the law will be enforced.
Many UUs felt/feel that the proposed and adopted changes to Article II would/will have no personal impact. This belief may have fueled many UUs’ lack of interest in the proposed bylaws changes prior to GA 2024. However, this complacency may be misplaced. The adopted changes to Article II provide the potential logic for and basis of changes in Article III that provide definitive meanings and punitive actions only alluded to in the adopted Article II. These future changes can influence how individual members (not just the UU organization and/or member congregations) experience what they consider their chosen religion.
Where will JETPIG take us? Look out for what’s next.
Image source: https://tinyurl.com/mun9ne6v
1 – With input from Barbara Barnes
2 – For more information on the finalized Article II, connect to https://tinyurl.com/ynpwezjn
3 – For more information on the current Article III, connect to https://tinyurl.com/5n8aw893 for the complete UUA Bylaws, as of May 23, 2023, including Article III.
4 – Defined as a flashy thing of questionable substance
5 – Presented in the video seen in https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5kiAz20DVE of the congregation of First Parish of Watertown, MA
6https://www.uua.org/files/2022-08/reimag_bylaw_res_06262022.pdf