Tapestry of Faith: Faith Like a River: A Program on Unitarian Universalist History for Adults

Taking It Home: Gently Down the Stream: Polity

As connected as we are—to friends, to family, to each other—we often feel ultimately on our own as we make our way through life, and that can be a frightening prospect. We can overcome this fear only by reaching out to one another, and in our shared courage, we will learn. — Phoebe Eng, Asian American author

Conrad Wright writes, in Congregational Polity: A Historical Survey of Unitarian and Universalist Practice, that within the Unitarian Universalist tradition of congregational polity, "it is left to the individual to decide whether he or she belongs within the covenant of a particular local religious community, and power is not assigned to ecclesiastical authority to decide whether the applicant is to be allowed in."

If you are already a member of the congregation, use Handout 2, Signs of Membership — A Self-Reflective Exercise to reflect on your decision to become a member. How would you have answered these questions when you first decided to become a member? Do any of the questions offer a continuing challenge for you?

If you are not a member of the congregation, use Handout 2, Signs of Membership — A Self-Reflective Exercise as an opportunity for discernment if and when you do consider becoming a member.