MEMBERSHIP

HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER?

We welcome you to join our beloved community. We hope you have found your spiritual home here and you will choose to become a member and journey with us.

We do try to be friendly, by greeting visitors as they enter the church and chatting with them during fellowship time. However, we would never ask you to join our church right away, since we recommend you visit for a few months to see whether we are a good fit. And we would never pressure you to convert, since we respect everyone's personal spiritual beliefs and accept all religious traditions. Eventually, we'd be happy if you decide to become a member of our church, but we won't push ourselves on you.

Becoming A Member

Becoming a member of the First Church Unitarian Universalist Church of Leominster means that you are committed to the principles, values and life attitudes that Unitarian Universalism embraces. It is a public declaration that you stand with a group of people who have a liberal religious view. It is a commitment to support and encourage one’s own and others efforts to grow spiritually and to support the congregation’s mission and vision in the wider world.

As a member of this congregation, you will be expected to become actively involved in the life of the congregation and its ministries. All members are asked to reflect on their life circumstances, their spiritual goals and to make a serious commitment to serving the mission and purpose of the church.

Expectations of Membership

Worship and the Celebration of Life
Attending worship regularly, participating in life passages, community rituals and activities, etc.

Spiritual Growth
Cultivation of your spiritual life: for example, participating in our learning community, joining a small group ministry covenant group, personal meditation, prayer, etc.

Shared Ministry
Serving the community within and beyond the church walls. For example, teaching religious education, providing pastoral care, participating in worship, working for justice, volunteering for a committee or project, taking a position of leadership, involvement in community service , serving and assisting during Pot Luck gatherings, helping to stock the Grains and Greens food pantry, ushering, greeting, etc.

Stewardship
Taking care of what we value and enabling it to improve and grow. For example, making a stewardship pledge by giving or tithing 5-10% of your income, caring for our buildings and grounds, participating in our Capital Campaign, etc.

Living Our Faith
Living out Unitarian Universalism through our mission and covenant. For example, practicing our principles in daily life, voting at congregational meetings, getting involved in justice, anti-racism and/or anti-oppression work, supporting our Welcoming Congregation, multicultural initiatives, etc.

Sharing the Vision
Letting others know about the transformative power of Unitarian Universalism.

Next Steps
There are many ways to prepare for membership. While you are welcome to join the congregation at any time, you are also invited to take whatever time you need to discern whether First Church Unitarian Church is your spiritual home. Below are some of the ways you can prepare for membership and/or deepen your membership commitment when you join the church.

Preparing for Membership

*Attend an Exploring Membership class. This class led by our minister addresses our personal religious paths, the sources of UU living traditions, the history of the faith, and the hope it holds for the future. These classes are held periodically throughout the year. Please make sure and express an interest in this class to the minister. Watch our Current News and Events, the Calendar page or Order of Service on Sundays for details.
*Attend a Circle Supper. These suppers are held on Saturday nights every other month and are hosted in the home of a church member or at the church. See the newsletter for specific details. Sign up during Fellowship Hour after Sunday Service
*Speak with someone from our Parish Committee to learn more about the meaning and expectations of membership.
*Spend some time reflecting within yourself about what it will mean to you to commit to being a member of this church. How will you want to help make the mission and goals of this institution real? Does First Church Unitarian Church of feel like your spiritual home? How might you want to invest your own gifts of time, talent and treasure to support our mission?

How to Join

*Participate in a formal welcoming ceremony, where you sign the membership book and are recognized by the members of the congregation. New Member ceremonies are a part of the services twice a year. There are special words of welcome and a covenanting with the congregation. Members and their guests are invited to a special gathering in their honor following the service.

For more information about becoming a member please speak with someone from the Parish Committee or the Minister.

Note: As a member of the church you have the right to vote at all congregational meetings and elections. And, if you wish, can be nominated and elected to serve on any standing committee. Only members are counted by our denomination in its annual survey. Non-members are welcome to participate in many areas of church life but membership allows us to “stand and be counted” as a liberal religious body so that we may have more influence in making real the values and vision we have for ourselves and the world around us.

Contact Information

Church Address 15 West Street, Leominster MA 01453 Phone: 978-537-0310 Email: 1stchurchoffice@verizon.net

Minister Rev. Dr. Susan Suchocki Brown email: revsusanuu1@verizon.net

Office Coordinator Marilyn Wales phone: 978-537-0310 email: 1stchurchoffice@verizon.net