About Circle Fellowship

The Membership Journey

Making New Friends & Keeping the Old

Second Program

Identity and Purpose

What do we want:
1. To be known as
2. To be known for
in the wider world???

What does our CUUF congregation want
1. To mean to the community?
2. To do for the community?

Facts on Growth

(from Facts on Growth research report at: http://fact.hartsem.edu/CongGrowth.pdf)

"This survey, sponsored by the Cooperative Congregational Studies Partnership, found that wanting to grow is not enough. Congregations that grow must plan for growth: "Congregations that developed a plan to recruit members in the last year were much more likely to grown than congregations that had not."

Growing churches are clear about why they exist and what they are to be doing -- "purpose driven growth."

Congregations that involve children in worship are more likely to experience significant growth. Also important to growth is the ability of congregations to attract young adults and families with children.

Almost all congregations say they want to grow, but it takes intentionality and action for growth to occur. Congregations that developed a plan to recruit members in the last year were more likely to grow than congregations that had not. Particularly helpful in achieving growth are sponsorship of a program or event to attract the non-members and the existence of support groups.

Congregations that change worship format and style are more likely to grow. More than half the congregations that use contemporary styles of worship have experienced substantial growth.

What do we, Circle UU Fellowship, NOT want to be known as??? (full group brainstorming session)

clique-ish
skinflints
wife-swappers (reputation from 25 years ago)
straight-laced
old fogies
racist
closed minded
that "other" UU place
stodgy
part-time
dominated by a few
boring
boozie
disorganized
gone, disappeared
a "type" or stereotype, such as "Gay only", "Pagan only", "Humanists only", "Atheists and non-religious only", "retirees only"

What would we like CUUF to be known as?

(two small groups brainstorming, so some duplicate replies)

active in community (immediate and city)
LGBTIQ welcoming
welcoming to all varieties of Pagan, Humanist, religious, non-religious
friendly
good cooks
interesting
friendly
humourous/fun
intelligent and well-rounded
growing (numerically and othewise)
friendly
green
HP (handicapped) accessible
discussion oriented
changing to meet changing needs
family oriented
varied and diverse programs and programming
based on UU principles
active in social justice
weaving webs of support
exciting for single adults
open and welcoming to all, including LGBTIQ
child-friendly
concerned and helpful

What does THAT mean?

Image of Chalice and Flame Several of the "homework" items on the "28 Ways That YOU Can Practice an Outward Orientation" sheet included using the UU Flaming Chalice symbol. Today's practice is ways to respond when asked "What does that mean?" about our Flaming Chalice symbol. Brainstorming ideas included:

Represents religion for and open to "non-religious" people
Chance to express beliefs without condemnation
Support to believe your own spiritual "path"
Open Spiritual community
Unitarian Universalist symbol
Symbol from world war humanitarian aid given by the Unitarian Service
Committee, adopted by UU
Chalice container of the community, flame the light of your spirit
"Spiritual" more than "religious"
Don't have dogmatic beliefs
Flame is ideas, chalice the body
Mind/body, science/faith, no disagreements between them

Where different faiths can fellowship, assemble together What will we do, are we going to do, for our community?

We ran out of time, and will pick up on this part of further developing our CUUF Mission goals and outreach plans next time!

Following are handouts related to this program!

Facts about seekers in our Congregations What is it that people are looking for when they enter our doors? How long, on average, does it take people to feel "at home" and then to join a UU congregation?

Facts on Growth One page synopsis of the Report on research (supported by UUA & 23+ other U.S. "faith" groups), on how Worship, Websites, Conflict Affect Growth in Congregations.