Membership
Membership
Membership in a Unitarian Universalist church is a decision to cast one’s lot with a particular congregation. It is a deepening of a level of commitment to both the community’s and one’s own spiritual and religious life. The choice says, “These are my people and I am theirs.”
Church members are asked to:
- Participate in worship and other church events
- Share their talents and gifts
- Take responsibility for their own spiritual growth
- To be cared for
- To care for one another
- To make a yearly financial contribution of record. We understand that people have differing economic abilities and a pledge waiver is available by speaking confidentially with the minister
When you choose to join UUCE, you enter into a covenant with others who have joined. This covenant defines the way we aspire to interact with one another. It is freely entered into and is mutually binding on the individual and the community. Please see “About Our Church” for UUCE’s Covenant of Right Relations.
If you are coming to UUCE from another Unitarian Universalist congregation and wish to join UUCE, please schedule an appointment with the minister.
The Path to Membership
Think of membership as an ongoing journey to deeper community and deeper faith… a journey along a path.
If you are new, we encourage you to worship with us and to explore various church activities, classes and events that appeal to you.
Visitors and newcomers as well as long-term congregants are invited into deepening relationships — to their own inner prompting, to the church and to service, through membership. To help you learn a bit more about our community of faith, to meet our minister, and to have your questions addressed, we offer the following as part of our Membership Program.
Inquirers
The Inquirers Series is offered every Sunday in the Welcome Room (South Foyer). Nine topics are covered, one per session, and are repeated throughout the year. Drop-in anytime. The series is designed for visitors and newcomers who are looking for a general introduction, and yet the sessions are also appealing to long-time members who want more information about our church. The goal of this series is to provide an understanding of our church and Unitarian Universalist history and practices.
Sign the Membership Book
Signing the membership book has historically been the way that UU’s declare their membership in a congregation. You can sign the book on Sundays or by setting up a time with either the Membership Chair or Minister.
New Member Sunday
We look forward to greeting you!
New Member Welcome Sundays are held two to three times throughout the year and include a brief ceremony introducing you and welcoming you into the congregation of Unitarian Universalists in Eugene. After signing the Membership book you will be emailed a Save the Date invitation.
Pledging
Members are asked to pledge generously within their means. What does that statement mean? As a member of UUCE, you are asked to look within your heart and determine for yourself the financial commitment that calls you to generosity. In making this decision, we invite you to reflect upon the church’s role in your life, the church’s needs, and your own financial situation. It’s up to you to determine a pledge amount that is generous for you to make. This amount will be different for everyone, as we are all at different points on the financial spectrum. But the encouragement to give generously applies equally to everyone.
More Questions about Membership?
If you have more questions, please contact:
Membership Chair, Sharon Roberts: membership@uueugene.org
Minister, Rev. Jen Youngsun Ryu: minister@uueugene.org