Subject: [Fwd: Paradise Lost] -Reply
Friends:
In the recent message from Nan and Chris Johnson, the new process for individuals to become members was mentioned. I wish to clarify misunderstandings and to describe the process. Individuals are not required to attend the orientation sessions. The Membership Committee encourages individuals to attend the three night series to learn more about UU if they are new to the denomination and about UUCF specifically. More important to me as a new comer was the opportunity to meet other new members. It gave me and Mark a start in making new friends in the community as well as the chance to meet not-so-new members. I believe that this series continues to give newcomers the same advantage.
Individuals who do decide to join UUCF are asked to complete a Prospective Member Form and to meet with one of our ministers or with a Lay Minister for Membership. During this meeting, the individual has the chance to ask more questions about UU and about UUCF and in turn does receive additional information about the responsibilities and benefits of membership. Yes, they are asked to make a pledge. Our by-laws describe a member as a person who has signed the membership book and has made a financial commitment to the congregation. No one has been denied membership! I agree with Nan and Chris that the decision to join any church should not be taken lightly. I believe that the former process of finding the person with the book on a random Sunday and signing it without learning more about what you are joining and what you may expect in the way of benefits and responsibilities was not sufficient.
The information on the completed forms is used by the Membership Committee to further assist new members in finding friends and comfortable roles for them in the community. We write welcome letters, call them for the pictures on the bulletin board and the profiles that are in the newsletters, forward their names to the member working in the area of the community in which the person has expressed an interest on the form.
To further celebrate this important step in each of our lives, Nancy and Henry Ticknor, the previous lay ministers began the dessert reception for new members to honor and celebrate their joining our community. It is also another opportunity for new members to meet one another and for not-so-new members to greet these folks. Nancy and Henry, with Jim's support and participation, then created the New Member Ceremony that happens three times a year. During this ceremony new members are welcomed by the whole community and we make a brief covenant with one another. For me, it has the same feel as a Dedication Ceremony when we welcome a child into our community and pledge some responsibility for this child.
This is probably more than most of you wished to know about the current process for joining UUCF. The Membership Committee wrote a brochure about the process. Stop at the Welcoming Table any Sunday and pick up a copy. It is blue and entitled How to Become a Member. I am happy to talk with anyone further about this topic or anything with which the Lay Ministry for Membership is involved. Call me 255-2432.
Mary Binderman
Co-Lay Minisiiter (with Harriet Meyer) for Membership