Fox Valley at a Glance

  Size: 409 adult members, 175 children and youth. Five years ago––265 members; 125 children and youth. Founded in 1957.

  Staff: The Rev. Roger Bertschausen (14 years). Director of religious education Ann Barker (9 years). Office Administrator Diane Cochran (1.5 years). All are full-time. There are two childcare providers and a quarter-time music director.

  Communications: Monthly newsletter, Directions. Web site: www.fvuuf.org.

  Weekend Service Attendance: 350 adults and children.

  Financial: Budget: $345,000, of which $309,000 was raised in the most recent annual canvass of 294 pledging units. Median pledge: $900 per pledging unit/household. Median household income is $60,000.

  Facilities: Four acres with adequate parking. Building is a Prairie-style one-story with basement and 175-seat fellowship hall. Future plans: 500-seat sanctuary and second RE wing.

  Governance: Board of trustees with plans to move to a policy governance structure whereby the board focuses on vision and goals rather than minutia and staff has more freedom to make decisions.

  Notable Achievements: Fellowship is known in the community for being theologically different and for diversity, including being welcoming to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community. Helped establish a community support group for GLBT and questioning youth; Harmony Café, a diversity-focused coffee house; and a multicultural center. Helped a partner church in Transylvania buy a new building. Helps smaller UU groups in northeast Wisconsin by including them in coming of age and OWL (Our Whole Lives) programs and with consulting. Minister spoke out against United Way funding of Boy Scouts, contributing to UW decision to drop funding.

  What’s Different About Us: Mid-size congregation with three services, 4:30 p.m. Saturday, 9:00 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Develops its own RE curricula. Has an effective “congregational response” element of worship.

  Reasons for Vitality: Congregation made conscious decision to grow, then developed long-term plan with growth in mind. Longtime staff provide stability. Interactive worship services. Innovative children’s religious education program. Strong adult education program. The only inclusive liberal religious option in the region. Board member Gerry Andrews notes that nine of ten people who joined recently were invited by friends. “Our members are comfortable inviting their friends; we’re very welcoming.”

  What Do We Do Best? “Vision, planning, and progressing to meet the plan,” says Bertschausen. Board President Jeanine Knapp: “caring for each other” and “very positive energy.”

  What Would We Like to Do Better? Bertschausen: “Get past our money phobia. And develop a comprehensive social action ministry.” Andrews: “Be more generous with time and money. Integrate people into small groups.”