November 8, 2011 Congregational Conversation

Comments

• Moving takes a toll. e.g.: until a couple months ago, google search for MPUUC still led seekers to Kidango on google maps.
• Board has already okayed task force to start investigating 2 services.
• The idea behind the 1-2-3 plan: grow our capacity in general - for many interests - rather than focusing on one specific issue.
• Q. What do we mean by "youth"? Does it include young 20-year-olds?
• "volunteer opportunities" is the #1 google ad search which leads people to UU.
• Q. What would Jeremy's personal top 2 opportunities/focus areas be?
  A. Social justice/volunteering and parents' group/youth activities. (That's actually 4)
• Q. What plan is being considered for 2 services? e.g., 8 am and 10 am services on Sunday?
  A. Task force will evaluate all sorts of alternatives - including same day, and/or other-than-Sunday. There is no specific plan at this point.
• Q. What is the story behind chalice as UU symbol?
  A. "We're the light in the darkness." Created and used during WWII to identify safe contacts/info for secret efforts to help people escape from Nazis.
• Idea: put MPUUC logo on entryway to city (e.g., Newark gate at Thornton and Cedar).
• Q. What would music director do?
  A. Primarily, s/he would organize all the various musical activities for the congregation. S/he might, but would not necessarily, perform.
• Q. Could Chris Schriner (minister emeritus) supervise an intern? A. Maybe - don't know.
• Q. What is MPUUC's current operating budget?
  A. Around $170K/year.
• Q. How can members find out about current status of MPUUC finances?
  A. Included in monthly board report posted on members-only section of MPUUC website.
• Q. How to log onto members-only section of MPUUC website?
  A. Provided logon and password.
• Extra work for second service = more burnout? Same concern about other new activities (e.g., opportunities to live values)
• Increased staff:
  - what about a community / outreach director (rather than a music director)
  - volunteer clearinghouse
  - "beyond Sunday"
• Approx. 20 people are now eligible to become members. They'll bring additional talents and support to the congregation.
• Re: 2 services: glad for the possibility of "other than Sunday" service. But how to keep sense of community?
• Would like to serve needs of 20-somethings. How? Perhaps a "singles club." Note, this age group tends to be very active as volunteers, and has a stereotype of low financial support of churches.
• Like idea of serving as volunteer clearinghouse. Will be able to apply for grants.
• Liberal religious values v. liberal political values. How do we distinguish? How do we handle political issues? How and when can individuals represent MPUUC? This may become a bigger concern as we expand. May want to consider refresher classes for membership practices/policies.
• Another idea: theater for at-risk kids - partnering with local college.
• We need to reach out to people with financial means, as well as those without.
• 80/20 rule for fundraising: 80% of the money comes from 20% of the supporters.
• People give to programs they believe in. Causes that make a difference attract money.
• Q. How will we decide our next steps?
  A: There will be 3 congregational conversations about the proposal (this one plus 2 more). The Board will figure out plan for proceeding beyond that.
• Q. Why did Jeremy draft and propose this plan by himself?
  A. He had the idea and viewed it as a starting point; he decided to proceed with proposing it now (in the interest of time). He is trying to not get too invested in the outcome; he recognizes the plan may need to change in order to reflect the congregation's wishes.
• Q. The congregation did a lot of visioning work with Joy. Did Jeremy get any visioning input from her?
  A. No. However, he did have the inputs from the April 22, 2011, visioning exercise.
• How does MPUUC reach out to other faith groups?
  A. Largely through the Tri-Cities Interfaith Council. One example: participation in Interfaith Thanksgiving service. Also, curriculum for 6-8 graders includes fieldtrips for "Visiting our Neighboring Faiths." Adults would be interested in fieldtrips like that, too!
• Q. What does PCD think of the proposal?
  A. They became very interested when they learned about the $50K lead gift. Jeremy has met with Jeanelyse. She is eager to help us get a Chalice Lighter grant.
• Vision for RE director is that s/he will cover Lifespan Learning (adults as well as kids).
• Theater in Little Kabul. Discussion of facility, etc.
• +: being known in the community
• +: other-than-Sunday service / events
• Need better marketing. How about billboards? Why don't UUs hand out tracts?
• "We don't want to change you. We love you as you are."
• Concerns about process of adopting new vision. How do we ensure that people feel heard and "own" the final vision?
• Jeremy's view: minister's role is to focus on VISION; board's role is to focus on REALITY
• Importance of families as a building block. How to strengthen families? If we were to more actively promote and support families, what would that look like?
• Decentralized church: office space, coffee shop, soup kitchen, unused theater, elementary school that is no longer in use, empty store fronts (Barnes & Noble, Borders), ...
• Public ways of affirming our UU values -- the Seven Principles, so the general population gets to know what we as UUs care about, what we stand for. Then more people will come and join us.

Back to Top