Top Ten Books From General Assembly

The top ten books sold through the UUA Bookstore at General Assembly this year are as follows, in order:

All Are Chosen: Stories of Lay Ministry and Leadership, edited by Margaret L. Beard and Roger Comstock. #7301 $15

With Purpose and Principle: Essays About the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism, edited by Edward Frost. #5333 $10

Choral Responses, UU Musicians' Network. #7213 $5

The Essential James Luther Adams: Selected Essays and Addresses, edited by George Kimmich Beach. #6300 $15

Interdependence: Renewing Congregational Polity, by the UUA Commission on Appraisal. #7300 $8

Evening Tide, by Elizabeth Tarbox, the 1998 UUA meditation manual. #5330 $7

Without Apology: Collected Meditations on Liberal Religion, by A. Powell Davies. #5400 $12

Our 7 Principles in Story and Verse: A Collection for Children and Adults, by Kenneth W. Collier. #5327 $12

Glory Hallelujah! Now Please Pick Up Your Socks, by Jane Ellen Mauldin. #5332 $7

Freethinking Mystics with Hands: Exploring the Heart of Unitarian Universalism, by Tom Owen-Towle. #5500 $12 All of these books are available from the UUA Bookstore. Please add $3 to each order for handling. (800) 215-9076

Watching the Numbers Helps Keep Members

A congregation that loses almost as many members as it gains over a period of two to five years should seriously assess the meaning of those numbers. Such congregations often have subtle and not-so-subtle barriers for newcomer involvement. Sometimes those in power don't want to let go. Other times there are too few programs offering opportunities for the quality involvement newcomers expect. Responses such as "we tried that once," "we can't afford it," or "they won't like it," stifles newcomer initiative and enthusiasm.

Counting the average age of your membership and comparing it to what the average age was five or 10 years ago is another numbers exercise that can predict your future. No congregation should wait until the average age is above 55. Strategic long-range planning based on a vision/mission orientation is one way to respond to a "growing older" congregation.

—The Rev. Charles A. Gaines, in Salted With Fire, UU Strategies for Sharing Faith and Growing Congregations (1995, Skinner House), edited by the Rev. Scott W. Alexander. Available from the UUA Bookstore, (800) 215-9076, $18, #5080.

Volunteering Easier At Cincinnati Church

Volunteering for community social action projects has become easier at St. John's Unitarian Church, Cincinnati, OH (259 members). Each spring the Social Concerns committee compiles and publishes an "In the Community" booklet describing 40 social service and educational agencies in need of volunteers in the Cincinnati area. The booklet is handed out following a sermon on volunteerism by the Rev. L. Annie Foerster.

Then comes a free dinner at the church for prospective volunteers, providing an opportunity for people to tell stories about their volunteer efforts and turn in forms pledging volunteer hours for the coming year. Forms can also be turned in later. In the year that ended last May, more than 10,000 volunteer hours were pledged, says Linda Heath, Social Concerns Committee member.

Once a month a St. John's volunteer is also profiled in the church newsletter and another volunteer speaks at a Sunday morning service. For more information email Linda Heath or write to her in care of St. John's Unitarian Church, 320 Resor Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45220.

Acting on Your Faith: Choosing Social Action

Congregations considering social action projects may be interested in a new book, Acting on Your Faith: Congregations Making A Difference and subtitled A Guide to Success in Service and Social Action.

A review of the book by Michael Durall in the summer issue of Charitable Giving newsletter (617-489-9898) includes the following: "This is a wonderful book that celebrates the good work of religious organizations across the land. This book will be especially helpful for congregations wanting to become more engaged in service to their communities."

The authors describe an array of service projects undertaken by churches and synagogues, ranging from a rural church that raises cattle and chickens as food for a homeless shelter, to an urban synagogue that provides food, shelter, clothing, health care, literacy training and job counseling to local residents. The book is designed like a catalog with brief descriptions of each project. There are also chapters about how to start programs and determine which might be the most appropriate for your congregation.

The 194-page book, by Victor Claman, David Butler and Jessica Boyatt, is available for $25 and $2.90 handling, from Insights Press, Boston, MA 800-323-6809.

1999 Winter Institute Information Available

"Adult Religious Education for the 21st Century" is the topic of the 1999 Meadville/Lombard Winter Institute, to be held Feb. 18-21 at Madison, WI. Topics to be explored include how congregations can replicate theological school offerings for lay members and how lay people can be helped to think theologically.

Presenters will be Rebecca Parker, president of Starr King School for the Ministry and William R. Murry, president of Meadville/Lombard Theological School. For more information contact Kenneth Olliff, (773) 256-3000.

The institute provides continuing education for ministers, religious educators, lay leaders and others. Brochures and registration information is available at all UU congregations.

Singing for the Green Songbook Available

Singing for the Green: Songs for Fun and Money, a booklet of 27 canvass and just-for-fun songs, is available from the UUA's Annual Program Fund office to add some humor to your next annual canvass or congregational event. For free copies in limited quantity, contact Mary Miles (617) 742-2100, ext. 513.

Song titles include: "The Legend of the UUs Who Never Adjourned," to the tune of "M.T.A.," a song made popular by the Kingston Trio and two titles, "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee," and "Money, Money, Money," both sung to the tune of "Holy, Holy, Holy."

Here are new lyrics for "Wouldn't it be Loverly?" from the songbook.

All we want is our church right here

Filled with folks who are full of cheer

With funds so we won't fear

Oh, wouldn't it be loverly

Lots of coffee for us to drink

Lots of programs to make us think

Some cash to fix the sink

Oh, wouldn't it be loverly . . .

Booklet on NY Church Is Youth Group's Project

Looking for something to do with an early-teen-age RE class? The members of the Junior Group at the First Universalist Church of Southold, NY (65 members), developed a booklet about their church.

The 28-page project, titled "The Church at the Bend," includes a church history, photos and drawings of the building, question-and-answer interviews with the minister and several members, the teens' own poetry about the church, and their predictions about their own futures.

Adviser Elaine Breese said working with the three boys was a challenge, but the book project, which included using cameras and computers, helped remind everyone of the rewards of church membership.