Special Issue:
Ways to Increase Your Church’s Membership
Most of this issue of InterConnections is devoted to a single topic–– what Kansas City-area congregations learned from the UUA media test conducted last winter and spring in their metro area. The campaign, which used radio and TV ads and billboards, clearly had an impact, substantially increasing the number of visitors for some congregations. And it caused the congregations to examine and refine their processes and programs, which proved helpful in becoming even more welcoming and in finding ways to integrate visitors and new members.
The campaign generated a large number of resources, including templates for print ads and pre-recorded TV and radio spots, that are now available to other congregations through the UUA Web site, www.uua.org/uncommondenomination. These are described in this issue as well. There is also information on what approaches other congregations are using.

Now’s the Time . . .
. . . to buy the recently revised Youth Advisor’s Handbook from the UUA Bookstore, www.uua.org/bookstore; 800-215-9076. #2013 $15.

Seven Steps to Hiring A Paid Youth Advisor
Form a hiring committee including youth, parents, religious educators, and a minister. At least half the committee should be youth members. Then:
  • Decide what you want in a paid youth advisor. Make sure to ask the youth what they want. See the Youth Advisor Handbook, available through the UUA Bookstore, www.uua.org/bookstore; 800-215-9076.
  • Create a job description, including position title, purpose of the position, and who he/she will report to. Also decide what qualifications are necessary and include a basic list of responsibilities.
  • Determine fair compensation. Compensation recommendations are at www.uua.org/programs/ministry/finances.
  • Publicize your search for a youth advisor as widely as possible, including through the UUA’s Youth Office.
  • Screen candidates, including a background check and criminal records check.
  • Provide ongoing training, supervision, and evaluation. The Youth Office provides a series of trainings for youth advisors. Check with your district office for the schedule. Make sure that youth in the program have a voice in evaluations. Do an evaluation at least once a year.
More detailed information from the UUA Youth Office on hiring a youth advisor is at www.uua.org/yruu.

New Booklet Helpful When Adding a Service
A new booklet, “Adding Worship Services: a How-to Manual,” is available at www.uua.org/cde/education/addingworshipservices.pdf. This document replaces an older publication, “Two Services.”
The new booklet was produced by the UUA’s New Congregation and Growth Resources office and provides information on either adding a duplicate Sunday service or an entirely new service of a different type on Sunday or another day of the week.
The booklet is useful for congregations of various sizes and draws extensively on the recent experiences of a range of UU congregations that have undertaken this process successfully. A list of contacts from those congregations is included.

Election, Social Justice Information on the Web
A major UUA initiative this year is voter registration, as outlined by UUA President William G. Sinkford in the November/December issue of UU World and on the UUA Web site. Congregations are encouraged to get involved with registration efforts either on their own or by linking with local organizations already doing this. More information is at www.uua.org/uuawo.
The Web site also has the following information for social action groups:
• Legislative action packets on: civil liberties; reproductive health; global AIDS; bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender issues; and separation of church and state.
• Study/Action Issue Resource Guide for Criminal Justice and Prison Reform, the UUA’s Study/Action issue for 2003-2005.
• The Real Rules: Congregations and IRS Guidelines on Advocacy, Lobbying, and Elections. The guide explains what churches can and cannot do around the issue of elections.

Insurance Information Should Be Checked
Church administrators and treasurers are urged to review the individuals and coverages listed on the monthly statements sent to them from the UU Group Insurance Plan. Make any changes on the back side of the statement, and return that information with the monthly payment.New employees who are to be enrolled in the life, dental, or long-term disability coverage must be enrolled within the first 30 days of employment to avoid penalties for late enrollment.
Be sure the UUA’s Office of Church Staff Finances is promptly informed about terminations, new employees, and salary changes. The latter determines the value and premiums of life and disability coverage.
It is up to congregations to provide accurate enrollment, wage, and beneficiary information. Contact Tracy Withy-Browne at twithy@uua.org, 617-948-6401, with questions.

Children’s RE Lessons Go Home Each Week
The information shared in children’s religious education sessions at First Parish of Sudbury, Mass., doesn’t get left at the door on Sunday morning thanks to the “Taking RE Home” program initiated by director of religious education, Tracy Duncan.
Each week in the children’s closing circle they are asked to name ways they can take the week’s theme out into the world. “For instance, one week the question was to name one way you can share,” Duncan said. “The following week we asked them to tell about one way they shared during the week.” Duncan credits DRE Gail Forsyth-Vail at North Parish of North Andover, Mass., with part of the inspiration for the new program.
At the end of each session Duncan gives each child a bulletin to take home describing that week’s theme along with practical ways to enact it.
“It takes a bit of work, but I have received very positive responses to this,” said Duncan. She also writes a separate reflection that she sends to group guides to help them prepare for the coming session.
RE terminology is a bit different at First Parish as Duncan tries to make children’s RE more like worship and “church for children,” rather than Sunday school. RE is referred to as religious exploration. “Class,” “teacher,” and “lesson,” become “group,” guide,” and “session.” Said Duncan, “Religious exploration more accurately describes what we do and gives the sense that all involved in RE––children, youth, and adults––are on a journey of discovery together.”

Leadership Information Questions Answered
InterConnections Resources is a new Web site created by the UUA’s Lay Leadership Development office to provide answers to questions about leadership issues and resources. It’s at www.uua.org/programs/layleader and it has four parts: Quickstart (for immediate answers to urgent questions); Events for Leadership (conferences, workshops, etc.); FAQ (more than 100 frequently asked questions and answers); and InterConnections (back copies of the newsletter).
A button on the front page of the UUA Web site will take you to this Web site.

Registration Paid For Presidents to GA
Make plans to attend General Assembly, the UUA’s annual gathering of congregational leaders, June 24-28, in Long Beach, Calif. This year for the first time the UUA has issued a special invitation to congregational presidents and will pay their registration fees. Registrants are responsible for their own housing, meals, and travel to GA. The registration fee for other attendees is $250 for the full GA if paid between March 1 and April 30 and $295 after that. Fees are less for youth. There is also a reduced fee schedule for those choosing to attend only one day of GA. Details are at www.uua.org/ga.

Learning Center Offers On-Line Instruction
The Learning Center for Leadership at The Mountain Retreat and Learning Centers, Highland, N.C., has on-line courses to help UU leaders:
• Media Relations & Publicity 101, May 3-31, 2004. Learn how to effectively promote your congregation and Unitarian Universalist principles and values in your wider community.
• How Church Systems Work, May 3–June 7, 2004. Learn how your church system operates and how to work effectively within it. Strengthen your church community to reflect UU values, principles, and practices.
• How To Take An Online Course, April 5 -12, May 3 -10, June 7 -14, 2004. Learn how to make effective use of Web-based instruction.
For more information or to register, visit www.mountaincenters.org/
lcl_online.html.

Congregations on Web
The UUA’s Thomas Jefferson District has begun profiling growing congregations on its district Web site. Check them out at www.tjd.uua.org. Here’s a summary of the profile of the UU Fellowship of Raleigh, N.C.: “UUFR reported 335 members in 1993 and 565 in 2003. Part of the growth is attributed to the congregation’s location in a fast-growing area. Other factors include the minister, a dynamic religious education program for children and adults, youth program, an active membership committee and communication committee, a young adult group, good music, the Welcoming Congregation program, and a small group ministry program.”

News You Can Use On the UUA Web Site
The UUA has Freedom to Marry graphic designs for Web sites at www.uua.org/news/2004/freedomtomarry/ftmgraphics.html. The Office of Electronic Communication has a new square rotating banner ad for congregational Web sites in addition to the horizontal ones. The ad links your Web site back to the UUA site. The ad is at www.uua.org/ads/square/index.html.
The UUA bookstore now has an electronic newsletter that is distributed to customers by e-mail. The monthly newsletter provides information about upcoming titles. You can sign up to receive it at www.uua.org/mailman/listinfo/uuabookstorenewsletter.
The Online Settlement System for directors of religious education, www.uua.org/programs/ministry/reco/settlement is now live. It is the result of the combined efforts of the Office of Religious Education Credentialing and the Settlement Office. It is available to UUA-credentialed religious educators at all levels and to those congregations who are seeking to hire a lay (non-ordained) religious education professional.