Use caution when discussing congregational issues on email, reminds Rev. Bob Hill, district executive for the Unitarian Universalist Association’s (UUA’s) Southwest District. “Email is wonderful,” Hill says….

When high school youth leave your congregation for college, jobs, the military, or other endeavors does anyone other than their parents notice? An increasing number of congregations are marking that transition from teendom to young adulthood with bridging ceremonies. A bridging ceremony is a…

It’s been the big question behind the door: Would September 11 terrorism and economic downturn hurt contributions to congregations during 2001? Would congregants who gave generously to the Red Cross give less to their churches?…

What is the difference between management and leadership? Rev. Dr….

Q. My congregation had a very difficult time last spring finding anyone to serve on the governing board and an even harder time getting someone to agree to be president. It also seems to be a perennial struggle to keep our committee chairs filled. People just don’t seem willing to serve here. Can…

Q. We moved into our new building this September and now need a policy on the use of alcohol at church functions. The issue seems to be freedom and personal responsibility vs. our church condoning potentially destructive, dangerous, addictive behavior….

When a wedding guest at a Unitarian Universalist church in the Southwest had too much to drink and fell down the basement stairs, he sued the church for many thousands of dollars. The church’s insurance company settled the case for $2,000. Said the church administrator, “Had we been actually…

There are times in the life of every congregation when despite the best intentions of everyone there are details that don’t get tended to. Well-meaning volunteers forget to do something, or take on more than they can do, or a family crisis intervenes….

The archives of First Universalist Church, Denver (609 members), used to be one of its best-kept secrets. Tucked away in boxes in a basement room, few knew the historical documents were there. …

When visitors decide to join the congregation, we celebrate in a number of ways—with ceremonies, by taking them to lunch, by giving them books, with a hearty handshake. Then comes the hard part. How do we integrate these new folks into our religious communities? And not only how, but when? The…