In this feature we seek out answers to questions of broad interest, drawing on experts in congregations, the UUA, and elsewhere. If you would like to submit a question, please write to InterConnections at the address on page two or e-mail dskinner@uua.org.

Q. I've heard that if the sanctuary or meeting hall is too full on Sunday morning it will discourage growth. Is that true? At what point does that occur?

A. Church consultants often use the figure of 85 percent, says the Rev. Bob Hill, district executive of the UUA's Southwest District. But there are other factors to consider, Hill says.

Visitors need to be given the impression that their presence has been anticipated and is welcomed: "Ask, for example, the following: Is it easy to determine where to park? Is it easy to find the main entrance and, once one is inside, where the service is held, where religious education is held, where the bathrooms are? Is the place neat and clean? Are there greeters? And, are there plenty of chairs available?"

Compared to the other investments required for creating and maintaining our churches and their programs, the provision of empty chairs as a hedge against the possibility of slowing growth is a low-cost choice.

Q. We'd like to start some of the small covenant groups we keep hearing about, but we're not sure we have the energy to involve the whole church. Are there other ways of doing them?

A. Start small, says the Rev. Richard Nugent, interim minister at Fourth Universalist Society, New York City, which has 73 members. Fourth Universalist has just one group, which may soon split into two or three others.

Start with what you have energy for, says Nugent, and build on it. But keep as close as possible to the group model set out by the Revs. Calvin Dame, Glenn Turner, Thandeka, and others. The following Web sites may also be helpful: www.the-ccv.org, www.swuuc.org, members.mint.net/uuccaug, and www.uua.org/interconnections.

Q. We can't decide how much information to give first-time visitors. How much is enough and how much is too much?

A. Mt. Diablo UU Church, Walnut Creek, CA (369), has prepared a booklet that every first-time visitor gets. It includes information on contacting staff, addresses of the church and denominational Web sites, brief histories of Unitarian Universalism and the church, a Welcoming Congregation statement, descriptions of worship, study and service opportunities.

It also includes a paragraph about wearing nametags, staff biographies, a page on how to become a member, an explanation of the chalice as a UU symbol, how pledging works and why people give, a general description of committees and service opportunities with names of committee contacts and ways that newcomers can get involved, a map, guidelines for facility use, famous Unitarians and Universalists, and a copy of the newsletter.

The 28-page booklet is 5 1/2 by 8 1/2-inches and costs $1.50 to have professionally produced.

"We went to the booklet because we found that people were grabbing many pamphlets and perhaps still not finding just the information they wanted," says member Sue Polgar. "It seems to help our visitors find the information they are seeking and it is great for sending out to those who call to inquire about the church."

Q. How do we start a personnel committee?

A. Check with your district executive, who may have information about other congregations that have personnel committees. The UUA also recommends the book, Alban Personnel Handbook for Congregations, by Erwin Berry (1999, Alban Institute). The book is available from the UUA Bookstore #7728 $22.95 (800) 215-9076.