The UUCville Board is in the process of identifying goals for our Developmental Ministry period. The board developed a draft of goals (shown below) to be used to start off Listening Circles in September and early October. We have also summarized the Listening Circle comments in a separate document. We will be talking with the UUA Transitions Office to refine these goals before we present them to the congregation for additional discussion.
The first draft goals as proposed by the board are summarized in text below and in a graphic constructed by Jude Bias.
As is true for most congregations, through the years, UU Cville has developed structures and ways of being that we take for granted and maybe that we are not even aware of. These underlying assumptions have guided our understanding of who we are, what our mission is in the world, and the way we operate. Through our self evaluation in interim ministry with Rev. Linda, we have identified many beliefs, patterns and habits that may get in our way of who we want to be. In Developmental Ministry, we have the opportunity to set goals to make changes and consciously alter our path. To this end, we would like to hear from you about what goals you suggest for our Developmental Ministry.
To begin the discussion, the board would like to offer up a start on possible goals.
First we believe we need to take a look at who we take ourselves to be. We would like to develop a more unified understanding of our identity. Who have we become as a congregation? Who do we want to be? How do we treat each other? How do we welcome new people? Who are we with respect to being an anti-racist congregation? Are we a congregation content to be a smaller, pastoral group or do we want to grow and function as a larger organization?
Second, we need to look at why we exist. We would like to develop an understanding of our mission that empowers us to move forward together to make a difference in the world. What is our purpose? What is our mission in Charlottesville and the world? What are we working toward? What is it that calls us forward and unites us? Why do we belong to this church? What inspires us to contribute to this church with time and money?
Third, how is our foundation supporting our identity and our purpose? We want to strengthen the structures of our church that support our mission. How can we improve our stewardship? Our governance? How can we share leadership and encourage new leaders? How can we develop and engage our membership? How do we build resiliency, support forward thinking leadership and embrace our ever changing world.
