Orientation Toward Membership Class outline
ACTIVITY 1: (9:00 am)
[Have nametags, packets, markers, pens out on tables. Fruit, bagels, juice, coffee set up. Child care arranged ahead of time. Also Stewardship speakers arranged]
INTRODUCTIONS THROUGH SENTENCE STARTERS (15 MINUTES)
Start this activity even as people are walking in as an icebreaker and a way to fill time as people are settling in.
MATERIALS FOR ACTIVITY
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY
Introduce the activity with these or similar words:
We're going to introduce ourselves by sharing something about our own experiences or beliefs. As the basket comes to you, tell us your name. In the basket are sentence starters. Draw out a sentence and complete it aloud. There are no right or wrong answers, only your answer. If you pick one that you can't or don't want to answer, feel free to try a different one. Pauses for thinking are fine. After completing your response, pass the basket on.
Model the process for participants, encouraging brevity. After each person has had a chance to complete a sentence, explain how this activity has reflected Unitarian Universalist theology:
Unitarian Universalist theology has both individual and group components. Personal experience is the beginning of Unitarian Universalist theology. Each of us develops our own beliefs. At the same time, we support and challenge one another in those beliefs through our sharing together about what we believe.
**Briefly, point out the items in the packet they each received, including the Principles book and the Getting Acquainted with You Form, which we will need by the end of the day.
ACTIVITY 2: (9:15)
SPIRITUAL JOURNEYS (30 Minutes – 5 to write and 25 to share)
Materials – pencils, crayons, markers
Ask participants to take out the piece of paper in the folder, entitled “Your Spiritual Journey” and spend about 10 minutes writing, drawing, or in some way reflecting on and capturing important aspects of your spiritual journey. Use the questions on the sheet to prompt you if that is helpful.
Divide the group into smaller groups of no more than 4 with a facilitator in each group. Have each person share one or two aspects of their spiritual journey that they captured on their paper – trying to highlight what brought them to this place.
ACTIVITY 3: (9:45)
DIVERSITY OF BELIEFS WITHIN UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISM (30 MINUTES) – [keep this to 25 minutes if possible]
PREPARATION FOR ACTIVITY
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY
Introduce the activity with these or similar words:
We're going to demonstrate to ourselves the breadth found in Unitarian Universalism by seeing how this group of people who have been drawn to a UU congregation see their own beliefs. I'm going to ask a series of questions and ask people to move to different parts of the room in response. Any time you want to pass or are undecided, you can stay in the middle of the room.
After each question, invite people to talk for a moment or two with people near them about why they answered the way they did. Then, invite one person from each cluster to say something about their choice to the entire group. Keep the answers moving quickly.
Repeat this process for each of the following questions:
INCLUDING ALL PARTICIPANTS
Configure the room to maximize the ability of all participants to move around. If necessary, modify the activity by asking for a show of hands for each category.
ACTIVITY 4: (10:15)
COVENANT AS PROMISE (5 MINUTES)
MATERIALS FOR ACTIVITY
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY
Introduce the concept of covenant by explaining that
Unitarian Universalism is a covenantal rather than a creedal faith. What makes it possible to embrace our wide theological spectrum is our covenant. A covenant is a promise to be in relationship with each other. You are not required to espouse any particular belief and so, what are you doing when you are joining a congregation? You are making a covenant, a promise to share yourself with the congregation as best as you are able in our combined effort to live our values. It does not mean that you will never fall short on that promise. We all do and will. What is important is that we keep trying, we continue to engage and work towards our ideals together.
It is difficult to understand covenant entirely by talking about it. It has to be lived and experienced to become real. We will read together some of the covenants we express at this church. One of them is the covenant we say every Sunday morning; one is the covenant we crafted together describing in greater detail how we want to be in relationship with one another, and one is the covenant you will say if you choose to join this congregation.
Read Covenant as Promise. Read together the UCE Covenant then discuss.
Read The Covenant of Engagement and discuss:
Explain how this covenant was formed and why.
Read the New Member Covenant and discuss:
Every time someone joins the congregation, the congregation is renewed and our covenant with each other is renewed.
COVENANT AS PROMISE
A covenant is not a contract, but rather a voluntary relationship. The idea of a covenant has biblical origins and traditionally includes the understanding that the relationship is sacred or blessed.
The focus of a covenant is on the promises one person or group of people make to another person or group of people about how they will support one another and what shared values they will uphold together. Thus, when a covenant is broken or violated, the parties involved focus on restoring relationship through reconciliation and forgiveness. Most Unitarian Universalists would agree with Jewish philosopher and theologian Martin Buber, who is credited with describing humanity as promise-making, promise-breaking, and promise-restoring. Covenant, or sacred promise, is at the heart of our free faith.
These are some of the covenants we have at this church. Think about what words resonate with you or challenge you. How do you experience saying these words? Does it feel the same or different to saying other creeds or vows you have spoken?
UCE’s Covenant:
Love is the Spirit of this church
And service is its law.
This is our great covenant:
To dwell together in peace
To seek the truth in love
And to help one another.
--James Vila Blake, 1894 Minister of the Evanston Church of All Souls
Unitarian Church of Evanston
Covenant of Engagement
In service of our mission to nurture the human spirit for a world made whole, the members of the Unitarian Church of Evanston create a community of joy and hope, cultivating this ground and sowing seeds of a better world. We are mindful of the covenant that has bound this congregation since 1894:
Love is the spirit of this church, and service is its law. This is our great covenant: to dwell together in peace, to seek the truth in love, and to help one another.
Through fuller and deeper relationships with ourselves and each other, together we strive to
clarify, strengthen, and live our values;
celebrate and honor life and its mysteries through words, music, art, laughter, and tears;
learn and grow spiritually and religiously by nurturing and challenging ourselves and each other;
make the world a better place with the inspiration and support we find in each other and in our Unitarian Universalist values;
embody liberal religious tradition and carry it into the future for ourselves and our children.
Toward these ends we covenant to
speak and listen with open hearts and minds;
engage in authentic, courageous, and civil conversation;
clearly articulate our expectations and priorities;
speak directly to those concerned with an issue;
offer and receive appropriate criticism and praise; provide timely, specific and clear feedback;
be kind and gracious, understanding our limits and those of others;
apologize and forgive ourselves; accept an apology and forgive others;
trust others’ intentions and give each other the benefit of the doubt;
take responsibility and hold ourselves and each other accountable for our actions;
be patient with ourselves and each other;
express gratitude;
share and encourage others to share abilities and responsibilities for the operation of the church and its work in the larger community;
be generous in offering our gifts and receiving the gifts of others;
say yes when we can, say no when we must;
practice curiosity and willingness to learn;
appreciate differences of opinion and theology;
know that we may be wrong; be open to new ideas and willing to change our minds;
practice resilience and perseverance wherever we engage.
Adopted May 15, 2011
New Member Covenant
Minister: In service of our mission to nurture the human spirit for a world made whole, the members of the Unitarian Church of Evanston create a community of joy and hope, cultivating this ground and sowing seeds of a better world.
Congregation: Through fuller and deeper relationships with ourselves and each other, together we strive to clarify, strengthen, and live our values; celebrate and honor life and its mysteries through words, music, art, laughter, and tears; learn and grow spiritually and religiously by nurturing and challenging ourselves and each other; make the world a better place with the inspiration and support we find in each other and in our Unitarian Universalist values; embody liberal religious tradition and carry it into the future for ourselves and our children.
New Members: Toward these ends we covenant to speak and listen with open hearts and minds; be kind and gracious, understanding our limits and those of others; share and encourage others to share abilities and responsibilities for the operation of the church and its work in the larger community; practice curiosity and willingness to learn; practice resilience and perseverance wherever we engage.
All: Together we are the Unitarian Church of Evanston. We promise to always keep our hearts open to one another and to all those who are, even now, on their way.
[Break] During Break Tour the compost/recycling center
ACTIVITY 5 (10:30):
LOOK AT REWARDS AND RESPONSIBILITIES BROCHURE
[HAVE A FLIP CHART TO WRITE THINGS DOWN. HAVE NEW MEMBER COMMITTEE CO-HOSTS PARTICIPATE IN THIS!!]
[A discussion]
We hope that you will find growth, challenge, comfort and nourishment for your mind, body and soul. We hope that you will find ways to support this community that rejuvenate rather than deplete you. We hope that you will keep a balance of experiences that nurture and sustain you and your family as well as those that allow you to share your gifts and talents. We hope that sharing what you can financially comes out of your love for this community, this place, and this faith and that it is experienced as a privilege rather than a burden.
RESPONSIBILITIES
REWARDS -
**ASK WHAT THEY ARE HOPING TO GAIN FROM THIS COMMUNITY
**WHAT WOULD THEY ADD?**
BE SURE TO HIT THE HIGHLIGHTS:
Rites of passage, UU values, Religious Education and questions from group. This is a getting to know the minister time.
SOCIAL ACTION, COVENANT GROUPS, PROGRAMS etc. (10 minutes) – this will be Q & A time being sure to touch upon the two areas, which many of our programs relate to. Eileen and leaders to answer.
[New Member Committee members please participate. This is a good time to share a brief story of your involvement. What was it that kept you coming back to UCE? How did you get involved beyond just attending Sunday mornings?
*REFER TO GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH YOU FORM – BACK SIDE LIST OF ACTIVITIES to spark questions.
11:45 A.M. (Closing)
** CONCLUDE WITH: WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES?**
GO AROUND THE ROOM AND HAVE EACH PERSON SHARE:
1. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU HOPE TO GAIN FROM THIS COMMUNITY?
2. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU HOPE TO BRING TO THIS COMMUNITY?
HANDOUT: RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERSHIP
Because we are a democratic community, members are collectively vested with responsibility for the congregation. Members may vote at any congregational meeting, be elected to the governing board, and participate in any activities of the congregation.
Because we are a covenanted congregation, members have certain responsibilities to the congregation and to one another. They are best fulfilled by:
Allow time for participants to fill out evaluations and getting acquainted with you forms.
Collect Getting Acquainted with you forms
Explain next steps – letter and invitation to New Member Covenant Sunday
3-4 Sentence Bio
Book Signing, Pledge Form, Covenanting Ceremony
Rev. 9/7/16
[Have nametags, packets, markers, pens out on tables. Fruit, bagels, juice, coffee set up. Child care arranged ahead of time. Also Stewardship speakers arranged]
INTRODUCTIONS THROUGH SENTENCE STARTERS (15 MINUTES)
Start this activity even as people are walking in as an icebreaker and a way to fill time as people are settling in.
MATERIALS FOR ACTIVITY
- Leader Resource 1, Sentence Starters (on cards)
- Small basket or bowl
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY
Introduce the activity with these or similar words:
We're going to introduce ourselves by sharing something about our own experiences or beliefs. As the basket comes to you, tell us your name. In the basket are sentence starters. Draw out a sentence and complete it aloud. There are no right or wrong answers, only your answer. If you pick one that you can't or don't want to answer, feel free to try a different one. Pauses for thinking are fine. After completing your response, pass the basket on.
Model the process for participants, encouraging brevity. After each person has had a chance to complete a sentence, explain how this activity has reflected Unitarian Universalist theology:
Unitarian Universalist theology has both individual and group components. Personal experience is the beginning of Unitarian Universalist theology. Each of us develops our own beliefs. At the same time, we support and challenge one another in those beliefs through our sharing together about what we believe.
**Briefly, point out the items in the packet they each received, including the Principles book and the Getting Acquainted with You Form, which we will need by the end of the day.
ACTIVITY 2: (9:15)
SPIRITUAL JOURNEYS (30 Minutes – 5 to write and 25 to share)
Materials – pencils, crayons, markers
Ask participants to take out the piece of paper in the folder, entitled “Your Spiritual Journey” and spend about 10 minutes writing, drawing, or in some way reflecting on and capturing important aspects of your spiritual journey. Use the questions on the sheet to prompt you if that is helpful.
Divide the group into smaller groups of no more than 4 with a facilitator in each group. Have each person share one or two aspects of their spiritual journey that they captured on their paper – trying to highlight what brought them to this place.
ACTIVITY 3: (9:45)
DIVERSITY OF BELIEFS WITHIN UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISM (30 MINUTES) – [keep this to 25 minutes if possible]
PREPARATION FOR ACTIVITY
- Clear a large space or move to a different space where people can move freely in the room.
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY
Introduce the activity with these or similar words:
We're going to demonstrate to ourselves the breadth found in Unitarian Universalism by seeing how this group of people who have been drawn to a UU congregation see their own beliefs. I'm going to ask a series of questions and ask people to move to different parts of the room in response. Any time you want to pass or are undecided, you can stay in the middle of the room.
After each question, invite people to talk for a moment or two with people near them about why they answered the way they did. Then, invite one person from each cluster to say something about their choice to the entire group. Keep the answers moving quickly.
Repeat this process for each of the following questions:
- "Do you believe in God?" Point out one side of the room for "yes," and the opposite side for "no."
- "Is life determined most by fate or free will?" Point to opposite sides of the room for each.
- "Are human beings more physical or spiritual beings?" Point to opposite sides of the room for each.
- "What happens after you die?" Indicate one corner of the room for "reincarnation," another corner for "nothing," another corner for "union with God or the universe," another corner for "something else."
- What surprised you in this exercise?
- What did you learn?
INCLUDING ALL PARTICIPANTS
Configure the room to maximize the ability of all participants to move around. If necessary, modify the activity by asking for a show of hands for each category.
ACTIVITY 4: (10:15)
COVENANT AS PROMISE (5 MINUTES)
MATERIALS FOR ACTIVITY
- Handout Covenant as Promise
- UCE Covenant
- UCE Covenant of Engagement
- New Member Covenant
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY
Introduce the concept of covenant by explaining that
Unitarian Universalism is a covenantal rather than a creedal faith. What makes it possible to embrace our wide theological spectrum is our covenant. A covenant is a promise to be in relationship with each other. You are not required to espouse any particular belief and so, what are you doing when you are joining a congregation? You are making a covenant, a promise to share yourself with the congregation as best as you are able in our combined effort to live our values. It does not mean that you will never fall short on that promise. We all do and will. What is important is that we keep trying, we continue to engage and work towards our ideals together.
It is difficult to understand covenant entirely by talking about it. It has to be lived and experienced to become real. We will read together some of the covenants we express at this church. One of them is the covenant we say every Sunday morning; one is the covenant we crafted together describing in greater detail how we want to be in relationship with one another, and one is the covenant you will say if you choose to join this congregation.
Read Covenant as Promise. Read together the UCE Covenant then discuss.
- Do you have any questions, insights about the meaning of covenant?
- What words from this reading stand out, confuse, or inspire you?
Read The Covenant of Engagement and discuss:
Explain how this covenant was formed and why.
Read the New Member Covenant and discuss:
Every time someone joins the congregation, the congregation is renewed and our covenant with each other is renewed.
- What attracts you about the idea of covenant?
- What challenges you about the idea of covenant?
- Think about a time when you’ve broken a covenant. What did you do to repair it?
- What relationships in your life have a covenantal quality? What are some of the explicit and implicit promises within that relationship?
COVENANT AS PROMISE
A covenant is not a contract, but rather a voluntary relationship. The idea of a covenant has biblical origins and traditionally includes the understanding that the relationship is sacred or blessed.
The focus of a covenant is on the promises one person or group of people make to another person or group of people about how they will support one another and what shared values they will uphold together. Thus, when a covenant is broken or violated, the parties involved focus on restoring relationship through reconciliation and forgiveness. Most Unitarian Universalists would agree with Jewish philosopher and theologian Martin Buber, who is credited with describing humanity as promise-making, promise-breaking, and promise-restoring. Covenant, or sacred promise, is at the heart of our free faith.
These are some of the covenants we have at this church. Think about what words resonate with you or challenge you. How do you experience saying these words? Does it feel the same or different to saying other creeds or vows you have spoken?
UCE’s Covenant:
Love is the Spirit of this church
And service is its law.
This is our great covenant:
To dwell together in peace
To seek the truth in love
And to help one another.
--James Vila Blake, 1894 Minister of the Evanston Church of All Souls
Unitarian Church of Evanston
Covenant of Engagement
In service of our mission to nurture the human spirit for a world made whole, the members of the Unitarian Church of Evanston create a community of joy and hope, cultivating this ground and sowing seeds of a better world. We are mindful of the covenant that has bound this congregation since 1894:
Love is the spirit of this church, and service is its law. This is our great covenant: to dwell together in peace, to seek the truth in love, and to help one another.
Through fuller and deeper relationships with ourselves and each other, together we strive to
clarify, strengthen, and live our values;
celebrate and honor life and its mysteries through words, music, art, laughter, and tears;
learn and grow spiritually and religiously by nurturing and challenging ourselves and each other;
make the world a better place with the inspiration and support we find in each other and in our Unitarian Universalist values;
embody liberal religious tradition and carry it into the future for ourselves and our children.
Toward these ends we covenant to
speak and listen with open hearts and minds;
engage in authentic, courageous, and civil conversation;
clearly articulate our expectations and priorities;
speak directly to those concerned with an issue;
offer and receive appropriate criticism and praise; provide timely, specific and clear feedback;
be kind and gracious, understanding our limits and those of others;
apologize and forgive ourselves; accept an apology and forgive others;
trust others’ intentions and give each other the benefit of the doubt;
take responsibility and hold ourselves and each other accountable for our actions;
be patient with ourselves and each other;
express gratitude;
share and encourage others to share abilities and responsibilities for the operation of the church and its work in the larger community;
be generous in offering our gifts and receiving the gifts of others;
say yes when we can, say no when we must;
practice curiosity and willingness to learn;
appreciate differences of opinion and theology;
know that we may be wrong; be open to new ideas and willing to change our minds;
practice resilience and perseverance wherever we engage.
Adopted May 15, 2011
New Member Covenant
Minister: In service of our mission to nurture the human spirit for a world made whole, the members of the Unitarian Church of Evanston create a community of joy and hope, cultivating this ground and sowing seeds of a better world.
Congregation: Through fuller and deeper relationships with ourselves and each other, together we strive to clarify, strengthen, and live our values; celebrate and honor life and its mysteries through words, music, art, laughter, and tears; learn and grow spiritually and religiously by nurturing and challenging ourselves and each other; make the world a better place with the inspiration and support we find in each other and in our Unitarian Universalist values; embody liberal religious tradition and carry it into the future for ourselves and our children.
New Members: Toward these ends we covenant to speak and listen with open hearts and minds; be kind and gracious, understanding our limits and those of others; share and encourage others to share abilities and responsibilities for the operation of the church and its work in the larger community; practice curiosity and willingness to learn; practice resilience and perseverance wherever we engage.
All: Together we are the Unitarian Church of Evanston. We promise to always keep our hearts open to one another and to all those who are, even now, on their way.
[Break] During Break Tour the compost/recycling center
ACTIVITY 5 (10:30):
LOOK AT REWARDS AND RESPONSIBILITIES BROCHURE
[HAVE A FLIP CHART TO WRITE THINGS DOWN. HAVE NEW MEMBER COMMITTEE CO-HOSTS PARTICIPATE IN THIS!!]
[A discussion]
We hope that you will find growth, challenge, comfort and nourishment for your mind, body and soul. We hope that you will find ways to support this community that rejuvenate rather than deplete you. We hope that you will keep a balance of experiences that nurture and sustain you and your family as well as those that allow you to share your gifts and talents. We hope that sharing what you can financially comes out of your love for this community, this place, and this faith and that it is experienced as a privilege rather than a burden.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- TAKING THIS CLASS (OTM) INVITE TO OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO GO DEEPER – JOURNEYS, PRINCIPLES AND SOURCES
- REGULAR ATTENDANCE AND PARTICIPATION
- PLEDGING – SPEAK ABOUT 5 MINUTES – GO THROUGH OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIVING FAQ’S
- SHARING YOUR GIFTS – GETTING ACQUAINTED FORMS
REWARDS -
**ASK WHAT THEY ARE HOPING TO GAIN FROM THIS COMMUNITY
- FELLOWSHIP
- SPRITUAL GROWTH AND RENEWAL
- ENOURAGEMENT, SUPPORT, COMFORT
- HOPE AND EMPOWERMENT, A STRONGER VOICE
- BEING KNOWN
- SUPPORTING SOMETHING WELL-WORTH YOUR SUPPORT
**WHAT WOULD THEY ADD?**
BE SURE TO HIT THE HIGHLIGHTS:
Rites of passage, UU values, Religious Education and questions from group. This is a getting to know the minister time.
SOCIAL ACTION, COVENANT GROUPS, PROGRAMS etc. (10 minutes) – this will be Q & A time being sure to touch upon the two areas, which many of our programs relate to. Eileen and leaders to answer.
[New Member Committee members please participate. This is a good time to share a brief story of your involvement. What was it that kept you coming back to UCE? How did you get involved beyond just attending Sunday mornings?
*REFER TO GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH YOU FORM – BACK SIDE LIST OF ACTIVITIES to spark questions.
11:45 A.M. (Closing)
** CONCLUDE WITH: WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES?**
GO AROUND THE ROOM AND HAVE EACH PERSON SHARE:
1. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU HOPE TO GAIN FROM THIS COMMUNITY?
2. WHAT IS ONE THING YOU HOPE TO BRING TO THIS COMMUNITY?
HANDOUT: RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERSHIP
Because we are a democratic community, members are collectively vested with responsibility for the congregation. Members may vote at any congregational meeting, be elected to the governing board, and participate in any activities of the congregation.
Because we are a covenanted congregation, members have certain responsibilities to the congregation and to one another. They are best fulfilled by:
- Regular attendance at worship. Weekly worship cements the bonds of community, and keeps our attention directed to our highest values, while nurturing our spirits.
- Voting at congregational meetings. Responsible participation includes imagining the needs of the entire congregation, rather than focusing only on one's own needs or desires. Consider how issues affect all members of the congregation, as well as potential members and others in the world outside the congregation.
- Making financial contributions. Not only does this provide for the support of the congregation, but it also serves as a spiritual discipline. Many Unitarian Universalists aim for a modern tithe—that is, giving 5 percent of income to the congregation, and another 5 percent to other organizations and causes that represent their values.
- Contributing time and talent. Congregations work because their members find ways to give of themselves, whether through singing, financial management, educating children, sharing their passion for social justice, organizing, cooking, greeting—the list of tasks goes on. Finding ways to give back that nurture your own soul helps to avoid resentment and supports your own growth.
- Spiritual growth and development. Working deliberately at your own spiritual development is a gift to the congregation and to the larger world.
Allow time for participants to fill out evaluations and getting acquainted with you forms.
Collect Getting Acquainted with you forms
Explain next steps – letter and invitation to New Member Covenant Sunday
3-4 Sentence Bio
Book Signing, Pledge Form, Covenanting Ceremony
Rev. 9/7/16