Becoming a Member

After attending services and other programs and activities for awhile as “friends” of our church, many people think about becoming official members of Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church (A2U2). When you decide to join this church, it’s an important moment for you, and for us. This is a time for you to get to know us and a time for us to help you find a place in the community where you can make friends and continue your spiritual journey. We urge you to share your talents and pursue your interests as well as your treasure, while we share our community with you.

Joining A2U2 is a significant step on the journey from “friend” to “member.” Friends are always welcome to participate in our programs and attend all activities, including our Spiritual Enrichment Groups, Religious Education programs, committee meetings, affinity groups, and more. Many friends contribute generously toward the financial needs of the church.

There are some tangible benefits to being a member. An important one is the right to vote at congregational meetings. This can be especially meaningful when important issues come along, such as the calling of a new minister, the adoption of congregational stands on issues in the larger community, proposed changes in the facility, and budget issues.

Only members can serve on the Board of Trustees. Members also have free use of the church facilities and services of the minister for weddings, memorial services and child dedications.

The intangible benefits speak more to the heart of why we gather in our non-creedal religious places in the first place. Signing your name in the membership book is an acknowledgment that we are in this together, that we can make a greater difference together than we ever could alone.

Responsibilities of Membership

The responsibilities of membership lead directly to the benefits. Making a financial pledge as you are able means that the church is able to maintain the facilities, hire the staff, and create the programs that make a difference in the lives of the members of the church and the larger community. Taking part in the shared ministry with your volunteer time means that you are co-ministering to your religious community.

Attending congregational meetings, informing oneself about the issues before the congregation, and voting according to one’s conscience and for the greater good of the community make the democracy of the congregation stronger and more representative.

Becoming a Member

A good preparation for becoming a member is to attend our orientation sessions, “New UU at A2U2.” These two sessions are usually held after our 11:00 service and include lunch and childcare. The sessions give you an opportunity to meet other newcomers and learn about Unitarian Universalist history, theology, and principles, and to hear about our many programs and activities and responsibilities of membership.

When you feel ready to join A2U2, contact Tirrell Kimball, chair of the Members and Friends Committee or our minister Rev. Myke Johnson. You may want to talk about what you’d like from the church and where you might fit in. To become a member, you sign our Membership book, which can be done on a New Members Sunday or another time at your request.

Celebrating our new members

We have three New Member Sundays a year. At this short ceremony, we formally celebrate and welcome our newest members. The membership book is signed by any who haven’t previously done so. We ask that our new members to fill out a survey of your interests and what you could share with the community. We also take new member photographs to help the congregation get to know you.

We hope that after you become a member of A2U2, you will join in the life of our church community. Come to our Sunday services as regularly as you can, work on your own spiritual development, serve on a committee or on projects, attend some of our activities (issue forums, film nights, fund raising events, and more), and come to our meetings.

New member mentors

New members may be matched with current members to help facilitate the process of getting to know our church community, make connections, and find ways to participate in activities. Contact our Members & Friends Committee if you’re new and would like a match, or if you’d like to help a newcomer get oriented. [link to contact page].

SHARE YOUR TALENTS AND INTERESTS

We encourage all who attend our church, both friends and members, to participate and give of their unique talents and interests. If you are a member of the church, please log on to our online database, ChurchDB  to fill in the Pledge of Talent form. It’s quick and easy! Just click on Stewardship on the left, then Talent at the top of the page, and check the boxes that apply to you. If you are not yet a member, click on the PDF version of this form.