CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
Membership: New2UU
The path to membership is deeply personal and can be life-changing. Ideally, there is no haste in making that decision. Toward this end I work closely with Hospitality, the Greeters, Membership Team and Leadership to create and sustain a welcoming environment, in which individuals feel free to absorb their experiences with the congregation, to ask questions and begin to envision themselves as full participants. Or not.
Each Sunday I draw attention to the diversity of the congregation, which may not always be evident: "no matter your age or ethnicity, social or economic status, religious or political perspectives, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression - if Unitarian Universalist values speak to your heart and mind, chances are you are in the right place!" As much as some may be resistant to the repetition each week of certain rituals or phrases, this phrase has been affirmed as extraordinarily meaningful.
Visitors are encouraged to connect with various aspects of congregational life and to talk with me about their spiritual journey. New2UU sessions are planned quarterly, as an orientation to Unitarian Universalist history and identity, and to the specifics of the congregation. I recommend that membership requirements include, at minimum: at least 6 months of active participation in the life of the church, including worship; attendance at a New2UU session; a private consultation with me; an application form and completed pledge card.
At the New2UU session I invite all attendees to name at least one thing they associate with Unitarian Univeralism and one question. These are written down on the top of a large post-it pad in green marker. The conversation then progresses to show that Unitarian Universalism right now, is what it is, not only because of it's history, but because of who's here right now - giving shape to this "Living Tradition". That which has been shared represents the "leaves" of its tree. We then move to the bottom of the page, asking everyone to imagine and talk about the roots. Over the course of the session, we move up the tree, until we find ourselves back in the leafy green expanse of "who's here right now".
Below is a handout I created some years ago to help guide this conversation, along with another handout intended to draw attention to the larger circles of Unitarian Universalism:
Each Sunday I draw attention to the diversity of the congregation, which may not always be evident: "no matter your age or ethnicity, social or economic status, religious or political perspectives, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression - if Unitarian Universalist values speak to your heart and mind, chances are you are in the right place!" As much as some may be resistant to the repetition each week of certain rituals or phrases, this phrase has been affirmed as extraordinarily meaningful.
Visitors are encouraged to connect with various aspects of congregational life and to talk with me about their spiritual journey. New2UU sessions are planned quarterly, as an orientation to Unitarian Universalist history and identity, and to the specifics of the congregation. I recommend that membership requirements include, at minimum: at least 6 months of active participation in the life of the church, including worship; attendance at a New2UU session; a private consultation with me; an application form and completed pledge card.
At the New2UU session I invite all attendees to name at least one thing they associate with Unitarian Univeralism and one question. These are written down on the top of a large post-it pad in green marker. The conversation then progresses to show that Unitarian Universalism right now, is what it is, not only because of it's history, but because of who's here right now - giving shape to this "Living Tradition". That which has been shared represents the "leaves" of its tree. We then move to the bottom of the page, asking everyone to imagine and talk about the roots. Over the course of the session, we move up the tree, until we find ourselves back in the leafy green expanse of "who's here right now".
Below is a handout I created some years ago to help guide this conversation, along with another handout intended to draw attention to the larger circles of Unitarian Universalism: