Like many churches, the buildings of Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church in Houston were sorely underutilized during the week. So when the church built a new, 23,000 sq. ft….

First Unitarian Church of Nashville moved to a different way of recognizing joys and concerns several years ago. Says Director of Music Jason Shelton, “Our practice of people coming up and lighting a candle and speaking their joys and sorrows had become unsafe. People were saying inflammatory and…

Good worship can be a challenge. The sermon may be inspiring and uplifting, with just the right tone and number of examples, but the transitions from one service element to another may not be smooth. Or the special music may not complement the sermon, or vice versa….

Creating a night at midweek for friends and members to come out for a “church night” is a tradition for many of our congregations. It’s an important time to build relationships in a more relaxed setting than on Sunday morning. And it provides a worship opportunity for those who have difficulty…

Q. Our small Unitarian Universalist (UU) church is exploring the possibility of renting out space in our RE wing to a daycare or preschool to increase our yearly income. Have other UU churches done this, how did they begin, and what has their experience been? A. John Levine of the First Unitarian…

The annual water service, sometimes called a “water communion” or “Waters of the World,” is beloved by Unitarian Universalists (UUs). The water service is a UU ritual, usually conducted in the fall when friends and members return from their summer travels….

People complain about someone to a third person. Resistance to change, turf wars. Rampant gossip, secret meetings. Calls for resignations. Email and telephone cliques that exclude some people. Abrupt changes in support of and participation in congregational life. Committee on Ministry is…

Try as we might, conflict is a part of life in many of our congregations. A group may not like the direction the church is going. Someone feels left out. There is too much spirituality on Sunday morning. Or not enough. The minister or religious educator is going down the wrong path….

Sometimes a new building is just what a congregation needs. Sometimes, if you build it, people will come and fill it. There is nothing worse than having to turn away people because you don’t have room for them. And sometimes there are alternatives to a new building. Before you embark on an…

Q. Our church has just gone to two services and had our first congregational meeting after the second service. We wonder if we are disenfranchising those who attend the first service since few people return for the meeting….