“We are braver and wiser because they existed, those strong women and strong men. We are who we are because they were who they were. It’s wise to know who you came from, who called your name.”  –Maya Angelou

Beginning with our religious forebears and continuing in UU’s today is a passion for independence of thought and the right to question conventional ideas and the determination to be able to meet together in democratically organized groups that respect the independent beliefs of every member.

Recently I asked why we are still named “The Vashon Island Unitarian Fellowship” although the Unitarian and Universalist denominations merged in 1961.

With that merger Universalists brought the concept of universal love and universal salvation to us. The loving, nurturing mission of Universalism was just what the intellectual, crusading Unitarians needed.

Among UU’s there is no such thing as a simple question or a simple solution. That’s because among us every person matters and every idea is respected.

Since my question about adding “Universalist” to our Fellowship name, lots of other questions have arisen among us that deserve our consideration:

We have been considering having a vote at our upcoming annual meeting this May on whether to change our name to the Vashon Island Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.

I’m beginning to think that changing the name of our little UU outpost on Vashon Island is not a simple matter. I now realize it’s a matter that has meaning for each of us. One idea is to make a plan for a series of get-togethers over the next few months, involving learning about UUism and each other before deciding on a new name for our now “Fellowship”. What is your opinion?

Judith Whitney