Home

Let's Talk

Have you noticed the little blurb in the past two newsletters suggesting that you watch for an invitation to talk?  Have you wondered, even a tiny bit, what that’s about?

For several months now, I have been talking with the Committee on Ministry (Ed Adams, Ian Attridge and Martha Comfort) about how to gain some meaningful insight about the heart of this community.  It’s rather paradoxical that I spend most of my work time alone, even though I have been called to serve a congregation of people.  Frankly, I need your input to more deeply understand our communal vision and longings. 

So, I, along with the Committee on Ministry, would like to talk with all of you.  We’ve scheduled three “Community Conversations” and are asking that each of you to come to one of them.  The dates are:

    Nov 10, Tuesday, 7pm, at UFP 
    Nov 22, Sunday, 11:45am, at UFP 
    Nov 27, Friday, 5:30pm, at my house (478 Albertus)

Here are the questions that we’ll be considering: 

  • Are you satisfied with UFP (institutional)?  ie, Are we fulfilling our mission?  Are we living up to our potential?  What should we do more of?
  • Are you satisfied with UFP (personal)?  ie, Do you get what you need here?  Are you glad you’re part of this community?   Are you satisfied with the level of connecting that you do/have here?  Are you questioning your membership?
  • Are you satisfied with your level of involvement?  Is there room for you to give what you can here?  What would you like to do that no one has asked you to do?
  • What do we do well?  What experiences here feed you?  When is this congregation at its best?
  • Where do you fit into the long range plan?   (Welcoming, Programming, Social Justice, Financial Sustainability, Space Planning...) 
  • If you were in charge (and you are) what steps would you take toward narrowing with the ever-present gap between dreams and resources?

We’ll try to keep each conversation to one hour.  The format will be similar to the deep listening done in a covenant group, with time after each question for each person to speak if they’re moved to do so.  Notes will be taken but will not include any names.  And, if you think this is a conversation you’d like to have individually with Julie and a member of the Committee on Ministry, just ask, and we’ll schedule it.    
I just want to know how it’s going for you and UFP, so please put one of these dates on your calendar...in pen!  

Julie