Differences are an inevitable part of human relationships. They provide much of the richness of our interactions with each other. At the same time, they can make us uneasy. Differences can lead to disagreements, and disagreements can lead to conflict. And conflict, if it goes poorly, can lead to anger, hurt feelings, and breaks in relationships. It’s no wonder we often avoid dealing with differences.
We may think that members of a congregation like ours should be able to deal with differences and disagreements smoothly. After all, we care about so many of the same things, and we affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person. Shouldn’t that be enough to keep us out of difficulties? But the high expectations we have in a setting like UUCPA can make it even harder to accept differences or behavior that doesn’t please us. Even in a great place like ours, conflict is a part of life.
The UUCPA Conflict Resolution Team was formed by the Board to help our congregation deal with disagreements productively.
Some ideas for reducing conflict
Appreciating Church Volunteers
Going Through Channels at UUCPA
The current team members are
Contact: conflict@uucpa.org
Here is how to find out more about us.
The Conflict Resolution Team Charter
What does the Conflict Resolution Team do?