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. We're planning our annual auction and we're uncertain whether to charge admission. In years past we never charged admission, but for the last auction we did, and we heard from a number of people who were quite unhappy about it.

A. "In previous years we have charged admission, but last year we did not," says Ira Lerner, special fundraising co-chair at First UU San Antonio (397 members). "We went from $3,600 to $9,000 in receipts. This increase was not solely attributable to not charging admission, but I believe it helped. It put people in a better mindset at the auction. It is a great, positive and powerful statement about how valuable we think the congregation is to our fundraising effort and how we could not think of charging admission for an event."

The Northwest UU Church, Southfield, MI (175), holds a gourmet dinner before its auction. There's a charge for the dinner, but not for the auction. "But in practice, everyone who comes to the auction usually comes for dinner," says Northwest's Don Wallace.

Q. Our church is looking for some inexpensive places to advertise. We will do the Yellow Pages and the newspaper, but also want to advertise in some other places that are focused toward groups with values similar to ours. I'd appreciate knowing where others have had success.

A. The best advertising is word of mouth, says the Rev. John Morgan of the First UU Church Berks County, Reading, PA (114). Other possibilities: area shopping papers, community TV, minority-owned papers, visitor center/chambers of commerce publications and packets. Morgan also writes a regular newspaper column that gets noticed. "But in the long run," he says, "I suspect that training our members to do evangelism, inviting friends, neighbors, and coworkers, may be the best and least costly strategy of all."

David Throop, of Bay Area UU Church, Houston, TX (230), says his congregation's Web pages and National Public Radio work best. The eight churches in the Houston area have joined together to sponsor a spot on All Things Considered and Morning Edition on NPR. "People frequently mention these on their first visit," Throop says. "And no matter how they heard about us, a majority of our visitors now look at our Web page before coming the first time."

Q. We moved into our new building this September and now need a policy on the use of alcohol at church functions. The issue seems to be freedom and personal responsibility vs. our church condoning potentially destructive, dangerous, addictive behavior. Also, it's been suggested that we sell beer at a public event to raise money.

A. "Our church culture--not our rules--does not expect alcohol at committee meetings or work sessions, and I have never seen that tested," says Jonathan Williamson, UU Church of Boulder, CO (275). "At purely social events people sometimes bring their own wine or beer if there is a meal. I would really hesitate to go public with the sale of beer. Image and liability problems could be large and very negative."

Representatives of several congregations noted that alcohol is generally permitted at social functions and discouraged at committee meetings and work sessions. Many congregations permit its use at special events when the building is rented by outside parties, but require board approval each time.

Q. When I open the UUA web site (www.uua.org) sometimes I get just part of an image. What's going on?

A. Your internet browser has probably 'cached' old images, says Deborah Weiner, director of the UUA's Office of Electronic Communi-cations. Check the settings on your browser and if it has stored old images clear them out, hit reload and make sure your settings will support a full image. Still a problem? E-mail oec@uua.org.