Part of Congregational Life Cycles
This overview lays out the practical and technical steps involved in dissolving a congregation, both as a legal entity and as a member congregation of the UUA.
Grief and Celebration
Closing a congregation is a naturally a time for grieving, but it is also a time for remembering, celebrating, honoring, and emotional and spiritual closure. Your congregation can be proud of the job you’ve done embodying our faith in your context, knowing that no form of our faith is intended to last forever.
You might create a commemorative booklet with the congregation's history and achievements. You might make a video slide show with photos from your archive. The important thing is that you do what you have energy for, and that will feel authentic and meaningful.
Contact Your Regional Staff
Regional Staff is here to journey with you during the dissolution process, and to connect you to key people at the UUA who need input the process. Our staff have experience and wisdom to share beyond this article.
Connect with Your UUA Regional Staff
Facing a transition, seeing a conflict, or celebrating an achievement? Your UUA primary contacts are here to companion, coach, and consult!
Find a Lawyer
Find a lawyer to help with the dissolution process to make sure that you are following both your bylaws and state laws concerning closing a non-profit entity and with the distribution of assets.
Endowments
If you have an endowment, you will want to honor the encumbrances and/or intentions of the original donors of any restricted funds.
Review Your Bylaws
Download the LifeCycles Dissolution Infographic (pdf)
Your bylaws likely have a clause guiding the process for dissolving your congregations, in particular, the distribution of the congregation’s remaining assets. (The UUA bylaws -- Admission Rule 3.3.5(f) -- require that assets be transferred to the UUA.)
- See Dissolution Clause for Bylaws for more information
Create a Dissolution Plan
A written dissolution plan will provide clear and transparent communication for your lawyer, the UUA, and your members. This will help reduce the potential for unnecessary anxiety.
Be sure the plan conforms to the UUA Policy on Congregational Life Cycles (pdf).
Refer to the article Is the Life of Your Congregation Coming To an End?
Send Your Plan to Regional Staff
Your Regional Staff reviews your plan to make sure it conforms to UUA policies and your bylaws.
Hold a Congregational Vote
Your bylaws likely require a congregational vote with specific quorum requirements and supermajority affirmative voting threshold in order to dissolve.
Send Your Meeting Minutes to the UUA
Your Regional Staff contact and/or UUA Staff will need a copy of the meeting minutes from the congregational vote for its files in order to update its records and contact information on the UUA website. The UUA also honors the dissolution at General Assembly.
Plan a Closing Service for the Final Sunday
Part of the grieving process includes ritual. Craft a meaningful closing service to honor this transition.