Vital Congregations

Building a vibrant, diverse faith community of healthy UU congregations in the TJ District

  • Welcome to Vital Congregations

    This blog, developed by District Executive, Annette Marquis, is to help UUs in the Thomas Jefferson District strengthen their skills as effective and transformational congregational leaders.

  • TJD's Vision

    The District is a vibrant, diverse faith community of healthy congregations that is a prophetic model of anti-racism and anti-oppression. We are called to collaborate with other faith and community groups to transform our society.

  • TJ District Office

    Phone
    Main: 704-549-0750
    Toll-free: 800-549-0751
    Fax: 866-648-6928

    Address
    9704 Mallard Creek Road
    Charlotte, NC 29262

    Email
    Annette Marquis, District Executive amarquis@uua.org
    Cell phone: 704-779-9895

    Sue Sinnamon, Director of Faith Development ssinnamon@uua.org
    Cell phone: 224-392-2150

    Glenn Johnson, District Administrator gjohnson@uua.org

     


Archive for the 'Faith Development' Category


Becoming Unitarian Universalist

Posted by Annette Marquis on March 10, 2008

I believe that it is the role of our congregations to, first, help new people connect with members of the congregation, secondly, to help them understand Unitarian Universalism and deepen and clarify their faith, and thirdly, to help them put their faith into action by serving the world. If you see this as your mission with new members of your congregation, I would recommend that you become intentional about how you bring people into this incredible faith. Having a plan for what happens after someone joins your congregation can result in developing a life-long UU, rather than one that burns out and leaves us after two or three years. Whether you are from an emerging congregation or a well-developed one, I encourage you to develop a program that moves people through the steps of connecting, deepening, and serving. The following three programs make a great way for new members to spend their first year in your congregation:

Evensong- this eight-week small group ministry program designed to help congregation members make lasting connections with one another. It includes Weekly worship services designed for groups of 10 to 20. Each service includes singing, readings and discussion. Participants in this program are invited to share thoughts, experiences, doubts and religious beliefs. Evensong is a wonderful way for members to get to know each other at a deeper level and to help them clarify their beliefs.

A Chosen Faith by former UUA President, the Reverend John Buehrens, the minister of All Souls Unitarian Church in New York City, the Reverend Forrester Church. Use the online discussion guide to delve deeper into what Unitarian Universalism is all about.

Weaving the Fabric of Diversity - this eight-week course delves into the hallmark of Unitarian Universalism social justice work with an exploration of embracing diversity: racism, heterosexism, ableism, classism and ageism.

(Thanks to The Reverend Susan Smith, District Executive in the Southwestern Conference for these wonderful suggestions)

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