Searching For the Future

Clarifying the Vision of Westminster
Westminster is on a path to create a five-year strategic plan. On Saturday, January 26, 145 members and friends took the opportunity to have our voices heard for what we want our church to be in the next five years.

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Three 3-½ hour focus group sessions were held, including one each for junior youths (grades 6-8) and senior youths (grades 9-12). Larry Wheeler, UU Fundraising Consultant, provided guidance for the SFTF team (co-chaired by Beverly Burgess and Maureen Souza), training for the 25 facilitators who guided the focus group sessions, and assistance at the sessions.

Our vision and mission statements

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Each focus group started by creating vision and mission statements. At a final meeting on January 27, the facilitators combined the many statements into single vision and mission statements. On February 24, the congregation voted to accept these as the vision and mission statements for Westminster.

Our vision: A welcoming congregation of freethinking people committed to inspiring a lifelong search for spiritual growth in fellowship with each other and in service to the larger community.

Our mission: Provide a sacred and safe space where our community will:
Practice and promote the UU principles;
Participate in stimulating worship and fellowship;
Foster lifelong education and spiritual development;
Generate the resources required to support our individual and collective growth;
Promote social justice and environmental and economic sustainability.

Our 6th, 7th and 8th graders wrote an interesting vision, which was shared during worship service on January 27:

"We are a church of wicked cool people who respect one another and each other's beliefs and are always growing. We have fun, learn about other religions and make music together. We hope to share our ideas with a larger community, honor the Golden Rule and Go Green."

Note: For folks outside New England, “wicked cool” is just about the highest compliment you can pay someone.


Goals

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In addition to vision and mission statements, participants in each focus group came up with a list of goals and activities for Westminster’s future.

During February, church members indicated their 10 highest priority issues from the compiled lists. The categories identified by the focus groups include:

• Worship and Music
• Congregational Life
• Stewardship
• Facilities
• RE and Youth
• Public Relations
• Beyond this church – UU and Others
• Social Outreach
• Governance and Organization
• Environment

Top 10 Priorities
In voting through February, Westminster members and friends determined our top ten priorities. The first five goals were clear and decisive priorities that focus on strengthening Westminster internally:

1. Make a decision about the parish house;
2. A Welcoming Committee to integrate and mentor new members and mechanism for reaching out to those we haven’t seen in a while;
3. Dynamic music program;
4. Increase membership, number of donor units and level of financial gifts;
5. Engaging, expanded Youth Program with strong adult support;

The next five priorities were all of similar strength and show our desire to make a difference in the world:

6. Environmental issues:  reduce carbon footprint, add solar roof panels, community involvement and PR in environmental events, work with Apeiron Institute on an Earth Day festival;
7. Work project with nearby congregations and other faith communities;
8. Increase participation in social responsibility activities;
9. Let the world know we exist: wayside pulpit, community festival, website as outreach;
10. Support our minister – pay her well, have strong lay members, identify people to help.

This information has been turned over to our Strategic Planning Committee, who will work with members of Westminster’s committees to create a five-year plan. The congregation will vote on the plan at the annual meeting in June.


Special Thanks
We wish to thank the 25 people who volunteered as facilitators for our visioning weekend. They gave up much of their weekend, attending a training session on the evening of January 25, leading focus groups on January 26 and attending a final meeting (after church service) on January 27. Volunteers provided meals for facilitators, as well as snacks for people in the focus groups. We also had many volunteers helping with facilities, supplies, childcare, PR/advertising, communications and check-in. Many thanks as well go to our church administrator, Judy Brown.

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We are grateful for the expert help in planning and training provided by Larry Wheeler, UU Fundraising Consultant. Please see the UUA web site http://www.uua.org/ for more information about Larry Wheeler.

And finally, many thanks to all the people who volunteered to help with the SFTF weekend and especially to all the members and friends who took part in the focus groups.



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