Posters Illustrating UU Principles Available

Two new full-color posters, illustrating the seven UU principles, are available from the UUA Bookstore. The text on each 18-inch by 24-inch poster is written in language suitable for UUs of all ages. One poster is for children and has different graphics. The artist is Sue Charles, illustrator and designer of the magazine UU and Me! Posters are laminated and come in a mailing tube. Each is $20. Ask for, What We Believe--Poster for Kids, #7400 or Poster for All Ages, #7401.

To order by credit card or to bill your congregation, call 800-215-9076 or send orders with a check or money order, including $3 handling, to UUA Bookstore, 25 Beacon St., Boston, MA 02108

Rural UU E-Mail List

A new UUA e-mail electronic discussion group, or listserv, for topics pertaining to rural and small-town congregations is now available. Many of the participants on the list, called RURAL-L, are the lone liberal voices in their areas. Join the list through the UUA website (click here for more info).

New Titles From Skinner House Books

The following new books from Skinner House are available through the UUA Bookstore:

All Are Chosen, Stories of Lay Ministry and Leadership, edited by Margaret L. Beard and Roger W. Comstock.

The work of the church is the shared responsibility of both the minister and the laity. Here are more than 20 inspiring narratives, told by the laypeople undertaking this shared ministry. Exploring such topics as intergenerational differences, leadership during disasters and campus ministry, each story is an in-depth look at the work of ministering to one another. 284 pp. #7301 $15

Without Apology, Collected Meditations on Liberal Religion by A. Powell Davies. Edited and introduced by Forrest Church.

Articulate, wry and charismatic, A. Powell Davies (1902-1957) combined a passion for civil rights with a deep concern for the spiritual and worldly lives of his parishioners at All Souls Unitarian Church in Washington, DC. These previously unpublished meditations are remarkably contemporary, conveying timeless truths with vigor, candor and stunning simplicity. 104 pp. #5400 $12

To order, call the UUA Bookstore at 800-215-9076 or visit the bookstore by clicking here.

Vital Congregations Incorporate Newcomers

The most comprehensive church survey ever done found there are seven things that congregations need to do well if they are to be vital.

(1) Incorporate newcomers; (2) Retain young adult members; (3) Have a high percentage of actively-participating members; (4) Cultivate a sense of belonging; (5) Become involved in the surrounding community; (6) Share their faith with others; (7) Grow in faith.

In future columns we will explore each of these. Ask yourself how well your congregation is doing with the first one — Incorporating Newcomers. Consider the following points in determining your congregation's ability to attract newcomers:

• Since most newcomers to congregations are in their 20s and 30s, our congregation caters to the needs and hopes of this age group
• We provide support and activities for young families
• Our friends and members are comfortable talking about their faith to others and inviting them to services
• Our leadership has an outward focus. It is committed to the wider community and our mission statement reflects that commitment
• Our leadership values friends' and members' contributions

For information about ministries to families of young children, contact the Rev. Patricia Hoertdoerfer, Director of Children's Programs and Ministry to Families, at 617-742-2100, ext 362.

To receive information about programs such as Planning for Growth for small and mid-size congregations, and Sharing Our UU Faith, contact the Extension Education office at 617-742-2100, ext 269.

This column is based on the National Church Life Survey which in 1991 surveyed 310,000 people in 19 denominations in Australia and then selected 3,500 congregations for further study.

--Lawrence Palmieri Peers, UUA Education and Research Director

Bob's Rules for Leading a UU Congregation

By Dr. Robert W. Warren
President, Henry David Thoreau UU Congregation, Stafford, Texas (50 members)

• The key is Community.
• Understand your own motivations: Why are you REALLY doing this demanding and maybe thankless job?
• Learn the basic history of Unitarian Universalism and your congregation.
• Hone your leadership skills in group process, parliamentary procedure, etc.
• Define clearly your own mission and goals for the congregation.
• Resolve any differences between your mission and goals and that of the congregation. If you don't know what the congregation wants, find out.
• Envision the spiritual as well as the business context of your goals and actions.
• Build relationships intentionally, as well as programs.
• Listen carefully to others and respect their opinions.
• Seek expert counsel.
• Smile: humor is a terrific tool.
• Make decisions deliberately and act with firm kindness.
• Communicate. Communicate. Communicate.
• Accept that you cannot make everyone happy.
• Accept and acknowledge your own talents and limitations and your successes and failures.
• Empower and train others. Share responsibility willingly and well.
• Appreciate, far more than expect, good works. Thank others for all they've done.
• Remember that people who are included and appreciated do more.
• Take care of yourself.

Welcoming Visitors With Original Artwork

Visitors to the UU Church of Eugene and Lan County, OR (175 members) get a hand-painted card of welcome from Martha Osgood, of the membership committee.

Using watercolors, she makes about 50 cards at a time and sends one on the Monday after someone visits. She explains: "Since I have no artistic talents whatsoever, I (literally) invent flowers and colors, or make a two-color swath of joyous color across the card. I buy a calligraphic pen and just write something nice: Dear Fred and Lisa, What a pleasure to greet/meet you this morning at the UU church in Eugene. We hope to see you again. If you have any questions about the church, its structure, its values, I'd welcome your call at 555-5555."

She keeps track of who she sends the cards to and after they visit again she sends a different card. She says she gets comments months and years later, that receiving a card made a difference.