Initial Purpose:
To articulate and advocate a definition of FAMILY and FAMILY VALUES as reflections of our Unitarian Universalist theology; To serve and service UU family ministry through spiritual development, education programs, social justice advocacy, and caring companionship

Vision:
With our congregations we will intentionally affirm the infinite variety of families, and provision and sustain them as they grow in spirit, love, and justice.

Mission:
The mission of the Family Matters Task Force is to transform Unitarian Universalism into a community of families empowered through faith, celebration, support, education, advocacy, and service.

Goals:
To create and make measured progress on strategic plan (2003-2008)
To market plan with vision and identity
To be keepers of a vision of inclusive family ministry
To be a prophetic voice/witness in UU congregations and organizations
To claim UU voice in public conversation of family
To provide tools for effective, inclusive support and healing to families

FMTF Members (2004-2005):

Rev. Patricia Hoertdoerfer Rev. Keith Kron Rev. Mary Higgins Rev. Barbara Fast Rev. David Pattee

James Coomes Rev. Michael Morran Rev. Phillip Lund Bryan Beck Rev. Hope Johnson

FMTF: 1998-1999
Main Focus: Family Focus at Salt Lake City General Assembly
Through a combination of events, the Family Focus Monday morning
programming, three workshops, and many mini-events, we integrated our focus on family issues with our work to support families across lines of sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, economic class, ability, and gender. Our approach combined conversation, presentation, the arts, and resources for GA participants.

FMTF: 1999-2000
Main Focus: Vision and Mission Statements developed
Eight members met for three days in January (Orlando, FL) to define our purpose and charge. We developed vision and mission statements and articulated five goals. Progress on each of these goals has been achieved, but most of the work lies ahead of us. A Congregational Assessment Tool for Ministry With Families was "fieldtested" at GA.

FMTF: 2000-2001
Main Focus: Family Ministry Survey
At our January retreat (Boston, MA) we finalized our Family Ministry Survey assessment tool for religious professionals and drafted a Matrix Model for Family Ministry. In Spring the survey and matrix model resources were mailed to UUA congregations. Survey responses are being compiled and themes unpacked.

FMTF: 2001-2002
Main Focus: Intergenerational Quebec City GA
Family Ministry Surveys were received from 10% (105 congregations) of the UUA Congregations and summaries of responses collated. An intergenerational flavor at 2002 General Assembly was planned and experienced - intergenerational luncheon/evening dance; workshops on intergen worship/marriage/ intergen book discussion/ families talk about sexuality; Opening /Closing ceremonies.

FMTF: 2002-2003
Main Focus: Family Ministry Survey Report and FM resources
Family Ministry Survey Report was published online and follow-up programming organized. At FMTF retreat we refocused our mission around families and faith development and faith practices. We received funding from USSS and FUU to develop the Taking It Home: Families and Faith pamphlet series.

FMTF: 2003-2004
Main Focus: Family Ministry Survey Flyers and FM booklets
Family Ministry Survey flyers were distributed at GA 2004 and advocacy and resource development organized. Development of Taking It Home: Families and Faith booklet series continued with the publication of Let’s Talk About Respect and Let’s Talk About Money. GA 2004 Intergen Breakfast was celebrated.

Related UU Family Initaitives:

UU Families Website
www.uua.org/families
Web pages are added to this collection of resources for congregations to use in their ministry with families. This site is organized into the following categories: intergenerational, community, family justice, social service, resources, family issues, rites of passage, witness and celebration, family life stages, families at home, and Family Matters Task Force (FMTF).

UU Family Network
UU Family Network Annual clearinghouse packets of resources on different themes of family ministry are available online and include 1999 Families and Worship, 2000 Family Life Education, 2001 Family Justice Advocacy, 2002 Generations of Faith, 2003 Small Group Ministry with Families and 2004 Generations United.

DRUUMM ( Diverse and Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries) and Families of Color Network and FMTF are partners to empower and serve the multicultural families and families of color within UUA by providing them with opportunities to share resources, experiences and ministry and to be a resource for congregational change and transformation.

FMTF Families Display Box
A traveling box of resources is available for Families of Color Retreats, district FMTF workshops, and GA family programs that includes books, periodicals, videos, activities, and The Game of Family Life.