Tapestry of Faith: The New UU: A Program for Welcoming Newcomers to Unitarian Universalist Congregations

Activity 2: Introducing The New UU

Part of The New UU

Activity time: 15 minutes

Materials for Activity

Preparation for Activity

  • Adapt Handout 1, Summary of Workshops, by adding dates for your workshops. Copy for all participants.

Description of Activity

Distribute Handout 1, Summary of Workshops. Acknowledge that people come to Unitarian Universalist congregations with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences and come to this program with differing amounts of experience in Unitarian Universalism. Tell the group how long you and other facilitator(s) have been members of the congregation. Describe briefly what each workshop will cover. Let the group know the arrangements for becoming a member of the congregation after the last workshop, if this is part of your congregation's plan.

Tell participants that a major goal of the workshops is to answer any questions they bring about Unitarian Universalism or about your congregation. Invite participants to pose questions freely, explaining that you may defer answering some of their questions until a later workshop. Post a sheet of newsprint to establish a "Parking Lot" (or "Bicycle Rack") for questions. Explain that you will record on newsprint questions to be answered in the course of The New UU, but not necessarily in this first workshop. Invite participants' questions about Unitarian Universalism and the congregation by asking, "What questions need to be addressed in this series of workshops in order for this introduction to Unitarian Universalism to feel complete to you?" Remind them that others will share many of the questions they have. Explain that as other questions come up during the workshops, they can be added to the list and be addressed at the appropriate time.