On Community Connections and Membership
A couple of Sundays ago, I sat down in Fellowship Hall with a (delicious) plate of food from the Green Sanctuary Task Force’s Community Hour potluck. What ensued was a fulfilling and productive hour of conversation, laughter, scheduling, and sharing of this lively social space. One Board Member, upon filling the seat that had been vacated next to me moments before, joked that I had set up an office. It feels so good to be both a part of this vibrant and dynamic community of people and to help strengthen and create connections within it. “Connections Coordinator” is truly a descriptor that I love embodying in all aspects of my life.
On the topic of coordinating connections, the next Young Adult (ages 18-35) event is scheduled for March 31, 11:45 a.m. after the service. If you identify as a young adult, please come to meet fellow YA UU’s and join us for pizza followed by a hike at Lake Griffy. To volunteer to hang up posters around Bloomington (volunteers of all ages greatly appreciated!), please reach out to me at connect@uubloomington.org. We need your help!
As mentioned in my previous columns, we are regularly in need of volunteers for a variety of activities. Teams that I oversee which are currently in particular need are the Membership Anniversary Call Team and various Sunday morning activities: Greeters, Flame Keepers, and Java Crew. These all provide the opportunity to get to know others in the UUCB community, whether through phone conversations congratulating folks on joining membership in a former year or through engaging in a joint service activity on a Sunday. UUCB member Libby DeVoe will be presenting a training for folks new to Greeting on Sunday, April 7, 11:45 a.m. -12:45 p.m. in the Meeting Room (questions can be submitted here). Please reach out to me if you have interest in any of these other activities or have questions regarding the mechanics of any one. I am happy to help you find a role that feels most meaningful to you!
On Membership
In addition to cultivating connections within the congregation, I also focus on church membership. In April, I will be joining membership professionals from all over the country at the annual “Pro Days” of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Membership Professionals (UUAMP) held this year in Naperville, Illinois. I am looking forward to connecting with others in similar roles across the country and bringing back my learnings to you all.
I so value all members of UUCB and want to ensure that your membership within this community is meaningful and rewarding. I view membership as an aspect of one’s identity. There are many different reasons why congregants may choose to join: to formalize a sense of belonging, to participate in votes that impact our building and leadership, to represent our church at General Assembly, and many other valid and important reasons. Anyone who wishes to be a member is very welcome to join. Of course, those who wish not to formally become members are valued and just as much a part of our congregation and community. I am so grateful to know each and every individual in this community with whom I have interacted.
As you may be aware, the church is currently completing its annual membership roll review. This process serves to ensure an accurate record of who wishes to remain as a member and who no longer identify as being a member. We want to ensure that our membership rolls accurately reflect folks’ desires and intentions surrounding membership status. In addition, an inflated membership count raises the number needed to achieve quorum, jeopardizing our ability to make crucial decisions at congregational meetings, including the April vote to call a settled minister. If you have any questions about roll review, we want to answer them! Please reach out to Reverend Connie at grant@uubloomington.org or to me at connect@uubloomington.org
If you wish to become a member, please click here to sign up for Exploring UUCB, our 4-hour course (split over two Sundays) focusing on membership, Unitarian Universalism, and UUCB in particular. The upcoming course, occurring on March 17 and 24, 2-4pm, is coming up soon and is the last opportunity to join membership prior to our April vote to call a new settled minister as well as our June congregational meeting. The official Book Signing and Covenanting Ceremony for graduates of this course who elect to become members will take place on Sunday, March 31. You must be a member to vote during candidating week and during the June congregational meeting. If you do not wish to join membership but are eager to learn more about the UU tradition, meet others looking to engage, and become more familiar with our church and its history, you are also strongly encouraged to sign up! As always, I am available to answer any questions.
I hope that UUCB is a place that inspires you to think deeply, find meaning, connect in community with diverse people, actively inspire positive change, and engage in whatever ways are most meaningful to you. Thank you for being an important part of this community!
Anabel Watson, Connections Coordinator connect@uubloomington.org