By Connie Goodbread
1. What would it be like if we were generous with and serious about Unitarian Universalism?

When I found my first UU congregation it felt like I had come home. I knew that, as a Unitarian Universalist, I could live a life of integrity and hope, a life where I would not have to compromise my values and ideals in order to be part of a faith community. How many of us feel this way? Yet much of the time we don’t relate our struggle to the struggle that others in the world might be experiencing. We have this wonderful piece of the truth, this wonderful accepting faith that we do not share openly. Unitarian Universalism is a spiritual discipline that very well could help to save the world. Too often we treat it like a secret that we have found that we don’t want others to know about. We need to deliberately create open space in our hearts and congregations that welcomes different people, experiences and possibilities. Paraphrasing Clinton Lee Scott, leaving the doors and windows of our hearts and minds open in the chance that some stray truth might light upon the sill.

To share Unitarian Universalism freely we should be talking openly and often about it. We should practice deep listening and engage in calm respectful conversation about Unitarian Universalism whenever we can. This only helps us to define our faith and understand who we are. We should be emboldened UUs, steady as rocks and unafraid.

Too often membership in our congregations is easy, quick and unimportant. Unitarian Universalism is important. We should take it seriously by making high expectations for membership. Membership in our congregations is an honor and a privilege. We should take the faith seriously by asking for and being generous, respectful, kind, trusting, honest and forgiving. When people join our congregations they should have had enough experience with the community to at least begin to understand the depth of community they are joining. Our congregations are not country clubs, lecture halls or hospitals. Our congregations are beloved communities where people can overcome oppression and explore the depth of their faith in fearless freedom, with loving support.

Think about your congregation and answer these questions:

How are people greeted?

How are people welcomed into the community?

Who is welcomed into the community? Do we leave open space for true diversity?

Who does the congregation serve?

How and when do we talk about Unitarian Universalism? Do we practice deep listening?

What is the path to membership? Do we take membership seriously?

What are the privileges of membership? What are the responsibilities?

How do we communicate these privileges and responsibilities to prospective new members?