After months of writing (and preaching) about vision, I find myself with little to say on the subject now. By the time you read this column, our “Searching for the Future” weekend will have come and gone, but as I write, we are still a week out from the event—a sign that it’s time to tackle other topics.
February is the month where most of my thoughts turn to stewardship. Next month, our annual canvass will be in full swing, and right now the planning for that ever important season is underway. In a month’s time, we’ll be talking a lot about money. However, this month I want to focus on the other avenues of congregational stewardship that often gets overlooked in the quest to keep the checkbook balanced: time and talent.
It takes many hours of human labor to keep a congregation of our size running, which means there are endless opportunities for members and friends to volunteer their time and their individual talents to the operation of the church: committee work, worship associates, front door greeters, coffee help, kitchen help, RE teachers and assistants, youth advisors, forum presenters—all of these are just the obvious, visible ways in which volunteers give of themselves to the congregation. Some opportunities require a major commitment of time, while others take much less. All are essential to the life of the church.
Often, we see many of the same faces taking on this work time and time again. I am grateful for the existence of this dedicated corps of members who have found a sense of commitment and fulfillment within the life of the congregation in this way. There are, however, faces missing from this picture. There is always room for more hands and hearts to dedicate their time and their passion.
There are many reasons why people hold back from getting involved. Some may assume, seeing the same faces taking on so much of the work, that everything is taken care of. Some may just be waiting to be asked. There may be ways to serve that we haven’t even thought of yet, and we’re just waiting for you to tell us how you fit. And many (even those who regularly volunteer) have yet to find the way in which their passions and the congregation’s needs intersect. All of this means that the congregation (all of us, myself included) needs to be more intentional in the ways that it nurtures and develops our leaders and volunteers.
Beginning Wednesday the 3rd of February, I will lead a multiple-part workshop designed to help you get in touch with your talents and the congregation’s call for your particular passions. “Harvest the Power” is a new addition to the UUA’s “Tapestry of Faith” educational program, authored by my good friend the Rev. Matt Tittle from the Bay Area UU Church in Houston, Texas. The purpose of the workshop is to get people in touch with their leadership skills on a personal and congregational level. For anyone who’s currently leading, has led, or is considering a leadership role in the congregation, I highly recommend this adult enrichment workshop. Look for the schedule and more information inserted in the Voice.
Even if you can’t commit to the Wednesday evening workshop, there are still ways to get involved in the life of the congregation. Remember to check our “Simple Ways to Serve” board in the Hearth Room during coffee hour. “Simple Ways to Serve” includes many short term and one time ways of volunteering and connecting to the congregation at large (We are always in need of chalice lighters and greeters from week to week).
As always, if you’re looking to get more involved, come and talk to me. We can always figure out together how your time and your talent can best nurture and steward your church home.
On February 28th, after second service, I will lead the first part of a two-part “Pathways to Membership” workshop. “Pathways” is designed for friends considering membership in the congregation and new members who’d like to learn more about Unitarian Universalism and the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos. Please call me or send an email if you’d like to join us for this workshop or if you have any questions.
See you in church,
Rev. John Cullinan
