We had a growth spurt in December with eight new members. That is eleven since July. Welcome! We held a membership and engagement workshop January 20th with 14 people to talk about how we grow, and not just in numbers of members. Many great ideas and volunteers came out of the workshop. Specifically, Melanie Malaviya and Craig Preston are the new co-chairs of the (perhaps to be renamed) Membership Committee. They have great ideas; give them your support when they ask. Thank you all!
All this has me thinking about what it means to be an engaged member of our congregation. I sent a letter to all our new members with this as a suggestion. I think it is a four-part recipe:
- Attend worship as often as you are able. This may be on site, on Zoom, or through our recordings available on YouTube through our website.
- Join at least one program for yourself. This could be a sermon discussion group, a class, choir, social justice project, or any of a number of activities. Just make sure it allows you to get to know a few people and nourishes you!
- Help the congregation in some way. This could be helping on Sunday mornings, being on a committee, teaching religious education, offering something at our auction, choir (again!), or a work party.
- Pledge to support OCUUC financially. It is not a requirement for membership, but our bylaws ask us to “make a good-faith effort to contribute annually to the Church.”
What do you think? Of course, this is all just a suggestion, not a requirement. Members are always more or less active over time as their interests and life circumstances proscribe. As an active member, I absolutely feel you get back in proportion to what you put in, especially in time and community. Each of us plays an important role in ensuring that OCUUC remains vital and strong. Our gifts of time, talent, and treasure are needed to maintain the health of this wonderful community.
Nancy Loughrey is Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church's Board President.