Here are ideas from conversations that are not explicitly included in the Long Range Plan and detailed ideas that might be useful as we institute the plan.

As congregants move forward with the plan, they can reference this list of detailed ideas to honor the time we all spent in conversation.

Safe and Welcoming Place for All

I. Ideas that could be considered when developing a Comprehensive Plan for our building and grounds.

• The plan should reflect our values of accessibility, sustainability and community
• It should include a funding strategy to support implementation of the plan.
• Allow for flexible usage of our spaces indoors and outdoors.
• Consider improvements to our parking situation.
  • Also consider parking lot ushers to greet people and help people find parking.  A sign to direct newcomers.  Maybe help getting out of the parking lot too.
• Consider how are building and grounds present our value of inclusivity to the larger community
• Make a historical record of the Marriage Rights Banner if we choose to replace it
• Perhaps we could have a banner that has a wider message — not just marriage rights, but broaden the concept — the government has no right to tell women how to manage their bodies, or how people have relationships.
• One idea to be included on a banner is “Equality for all persons and the right to privacy and self-determination in regards to our bodies, our identities, our relationships, and our religious or spiritual beliefs.”
• We need to carefully examine our Accessibility for people with disabilities.
• Consider how the playground can be a more inviting community space.
• Consider how the property looks from the street.  Is it inviting?
• Consider how we can re-design our restrooms to be more truly inclusive, for example, could the group toilets on the main level be more non-gendered with enclosed stalls?
• Consider how we can make our building and grounds more appealing for rentals
• Can the lower hall be a more welcoming space?
• Do we need two Building and Grounds Groups?  One for design and planning and one for implementation?
  • The design group could meet regularly, present work to the congregation, research UUA standards and approaches (looks at other UU church’s interior design), and work with the masterplan designers. This group could think far in advance and help to hold a cohesive vision for the congregation (buildings and groups).
  • The implementation group could take priorities from the design group and figure out how to implement them (can meet more irregularly) – there is a member from implementation that would sit on the design committee. Even after the masterplan process is over, the design group could meet to address priority setting and design questions that come up with implementation.
• Do we need to rename the “Parlor” to something that has less of an old white privilege connotation?
• Do we need the bulletin boards back so people can see what is happening?  Or a QR code to scan?
• A current condition assessment could be part of the plan.
• Consider how the interior design of our church can be more cohesive with furniture, and window treatments that are flexible, and durable for public spaces. The design of the interior could maintain/enhance the feeling that these are intimate spaces with character (see First Unitarian Universalist RVA basement renovation).
• Consider community needs that aren’t being met in the area – how can our spaces be of service? A teaching kitchen that nutritionists can rent out? A retreat center? – Asking these questions would be an important part of our masterplan engagement process.
• Could we have a Black Lives Matter banner on the building too (on the Left Hand Side)?
• Regarding the land — lots of info could be gotten from Freeman Allen. He led the effort at Sojorners to learn more about the Monacan Nation and Sojorners property. And he organized a visit of people from the church to go to the Monacan Museum and meet folks.
• Specific Concerns about Accessibility include:
  • We need signs in the building that point to the elevators.
  • We need to continue accessibility via Zoom.
  • The pews in the sanctuary are difficult to get into and it is difficult to see the screen and chancel from behind the pillars.
  • We need to make sure the ramp is shoveled when it snows.
  • We need to consider how people with decreased mobility can access the altar, coffee, and the tables in the social hall
  • Automatic doors would be very nice and the bumps by entry doors are difficult to navigate.
  • The space at the back of the sanctuary is too narrow for a collator
  • There are bumps by some entrance doors and no automatic door

II. Ideas related to Growing our Ministry of Welcoming and Membership

• Consider having welcomers who greeters can introduce newcomers to.
• How do we communicate what is happening to newcomers and new congregants?
• Is there a way we can train the whole congregation on how to be more welcoming? Implicit bias trainings?
• Can we have special name tags for newcomers?
• Could we have a welcomer on the playground and in the social hall?
• Do we need a flier or mission card to hand to newcomers? Or a list of activities?
• We need to make sure to spread out welcoming and not just rely on membership.  Could we increase the number of people talking with newcomers in the social hall?
• Conversations in the Parlor (where it is more quiet than the social hall) after the service might be a gift to more introverted people.
• Perhaps the congregation would benefit from training in how to disagree, and how to give and receive constructive criticism.  How can we hold each other in love and listen when we disagree?
• Could we have tables set up in the social hall that are explicitly reserved for conversations on particular topics?  Maybe related to the sermon? Or maybe on topics about the deeper questions of life and growth? Not only would this be good for conversation starters, but it would also be an opportunity for people to meet and engage with people they don’t know.
• We could have icebreaker questions for people to ask each other after the Sunday Services.
• We could offer the Courageous Conversation curriculum.
• We could have the QR code for the website more visible around the building.
• Have volunteers be friendly to visitors on zoom.
• Could we have people fill out profiles so we know people’s interests, abilities and ways they want to grow?
• We need to create a culture where when people walk in, they feel like they have walked into a hug. Where they immediately know they have a place here and are welcome.
• We could follow up to New members.  Perhaps with a potluck later?  Check in with them in the first years about their needs? Have a follow up newcomers class?
• We could have a phone call check in with everyone in the congregation, especially all the people who have joined in the last year.
• We could ask people what they are interested in and provide opportunities to become involved.  Where can they go?
• We need a Leadership Program
  • Right now, leadership is seen as the board and nominating committee
  • We need to build leaders – where each person sees themself as having leadership
  • We can see leadership as a growth opportunity
  • How can we build the idea of leadership in a non hierarchical way?
  • Maybe we change the word “leadership” to something like “opportunities for involvement”
  • We need more sustainable leadership so projects don’t cease when the main leader is not available.
• One group of people feeling marginalized and alienated is formerly active members lost during the years of conflict. Perhaps it would be good to reach out to them. There may still be healing to be done. 

III. Ideas related to Cultivate and Sustain A Vibrant Young Adult Ministry

• The Young Adult Group needs a list serve that can be used to track young adults so we can maintain communication with all interested young adults.
• Would it be possible to pair young adults with older adults in a mentorship relationship?
• Could we arrange events for young adults to participate with diverse age groups in events.  For example with the Elders Brunch?

IV. Ideas related to Safe and Welcoming Team that emphasizes welcoming and inclusivity, education, social connection, and community building for all ages

• We could host more classes about anti-racism, learning about white supremacy culture, and conflict resolution in order to prepare this congregation to be a welcoming one.
• It would be wonderful to have more classes like the Transforming Hearts class. How can we encourage folks who might not usually attend these classes to come?  What made Transforming Hearts so successful?
• Can we update and add education materials around church?  For example about pronoun usage?
• Can we train the congregation, welcoming folks and greeters about language usage?
• Could we have pride flags for specific parts of LGBTQ+ community in the church?  Especially for marginalized groups within the LGBTQ+ community?
• Could we engage in advocacy work in the larger community?
• Could we revitalize our Pride/Alliance group? Or a Interweave Affinity group
• Could we have LGBTQ+ speakers in worship and programming?
• We could consider how white supremacy culture influences our church practices
• We could consider using the Widening the Circle Rubric to plan

V. Ideas related to Marketing

• We could put a poster advertising events on our Rugby Road kiosk.
• We could have a “passive marketing” plan where we go out and do things and people in the community get to know us.
• We could Invite other congregations to visit us on a Sunday

Other ideas that are not addressed in the current goals:

• How can envision leadership in a non hierarchical way?
  • Right now, leadership is seen as the board and nominating committee
  • We need to build leaders – where each person sees themself as having leadership
  • Maybe we change the word “leadership” to something like “opportunities for involvement”

Nurturing mind, heart, body, and spirit

I. Ideas related to Caring Ministry

• People may need help with small jobs around their homes, 
• Having people spend time talking to those who live alone might also be very valuable.
• The “Parish Nurse” model is a way to think about responding to these needs. 
• Perhaps we could develop an extensive resource list of congregants who would be willing to help when a particular small need arises. 
• A rides program has two components:

• Rides to places like the grocery store, medical appointments, etc.
• Rides to and from church on Sunday mornings

• We need for more diversity in our pastoral care team. We are an almost exclusively older and white group. 
• We need to turn our pastoral care work into a wide-ranging ministry with educational programs and support groups. There is a strong need for end-of-life programs/workshops, which Rev. Leia is very interested in. 
• Other valuable activities could be workshops on caregiving, listening skills, and opportunities that would be open to YRUU youth. 
• A support group for Caregivers of people with dementia.
• There are three levels of care that we can provide

1. Direct Services like meals and rides
2. Companioning, meaning spending time with those who live alone and are isolated
3. Pastoral Care – being a listening presence for those who are struggling

• Please refer to the UUCville Resource Center, A True Care Net document by Sandy Brooks

II. Ideas related to Faith Development Ministry

• Organize “faith” groups for people to explore their spirituality in small groups.
• Have an Adult Faith Development Committee to organize new programs that are needed. Perhaps we could offer courses in a curriculum—courses in some sequence to learn about a particular topic, perhaps addressing it from different angles.
• Add other ways of connecting spiritually outside of Sunday services.
• Have more time in Sunday services devoted to deeper spiritual experience and less time on children.
• We need teachings on ways to disagree and say no.
• Have a leadership development team.
• Incorporate what do I need and what can I offer as another part of joys and sorrows
• Create ways to engage more deeply with the sermons.  Perhaps by having discussions together after the service.  It might be especially helpful to have these discussions in the Parlor where it is quiet and there is a comfortable place to sit.
• It would be good to have a chance to engage in deep conversations A about difficult issues from a spiritual perspective.
• We need training to really listen to each other so we can have these deep conversations.
• We could offer courses or programs on aging and spirituality.
• A course on people’s relationship with ultimate reality would be very helpful.
• We could develop a program for people to enrich their spiritual experience through contact with nature – reintroduce that connection to nature as an integral part of mind body spirit. Perhaps taking walks together in nature.
• We could consider reviving the UU Christian Fellowship

III. Ideas related to Sunday Morning Worship

• We could create more embodiment as part of our worship life
  • This could include introducing dance into the service
  • Possibly a liturgical dance ministry?

V. Ideas Related to Multigenerational Fun and Friendship Ministry

• We need a ministry that brings people together for fun, socializing, and community. 
• We have many past models to draw on, such as game nights, Bingo, picnics, and off site gatherings like those held Douthat State Park. 

VI. Ideas related to Elder Ministry

• We need to care for our elderly population who cannot attend the regular activities.  For example, can we offer rides to medical appointments.
• Sometimes elderly people need “friendly visitors” who can stay awhile, talk, and perhaps even watch sermons together from the website.
• Create ways to engage more deeply with the sermons.  Perhaps by having discussions together after the service.  It might be especially helpful to have these discussions in the Parlor where it is quiet and there is a comfortable place to sit.
• It would be good to have a chance to engage in deep conversations A about difficult issues from a spiritual perspective.
• We need training to really listen to each other so we can have these deep conversations.
• We could offer courses or programs on aging and spirituality.
• A course on people’s relationship with ultimate reality would be very helpful.
• Linking elders with community resources would be good. It is hard to find information in terms of finances and resources. Having someone who could counsel people on this. Some things on our list we could achieve with better community partnership.
• It would be nice to video tape people’s stories.
• Services that Elders might want.
  • A short visit
  • help getting out
  • Could we be available for crises?
  • Help negotiating services
• Could we have an inventory of volunteers who might help?
• Could we have a phone tree to stay connected

Working for equity, justice, and peace for all people

• Examine the root causes of social issues, especially hunger, poverty and homelessness
• Examples of specific causes we could work on
  • Create a group to focus on Criminal Justice initiatives including inequities in the criminal legal system, police behavior and policing budgets, gaps in people returning to the community from prison.
  • Increase our involvement in UUUN activities
  • Service project weeks in and around the community
  • Teaching life skills in the community
  • Support people in preparing their taxes
  • Assist with Immigration support
  • Support drug addicts in recovery
  • Support parents through addressing child care needs 
  • Support the development of low income housing locally to work toward ending homelessness, hunger, and poverty,
  • Examine and promote Diversity Equity and Inclusion Policies.
  • Peace education – peace actions in the United Nations group. 
  • Support for political activity – helping get more diverse people involved in local politics 
  • We need to make more connections with African American communities
  • Advertise our yoga class to the larger community
  • Support initiatives to encourage people to vote
  • We could take more direct action in the community
    • UU outing day to promote ideas we are talking about
    • Community center work
• Training ideas for our congregation
  • Support learning sessions where people can come to learn about issues and then be available for action.  
  • Provide opportunities for congregants to be comfortable with being uncomfortable and be in the company of people we wish to help.
  • We need information to contact our political representatives
  • Practice seeing both sides of issues – so we can communicate more effectively with each other.
  • Have a webpage of “Ways you can help.”
• We consider these groups as examples of community groups we could work with  the Clergy Collective, NAACP, Legal Aid Justice Center, Home to Hope, Beloved Community, Legal Aid Justice Center, Virginia Organizing, International Rescue Committee

Working for equity, justice, and peace for the planet

• Organizing in UUCville
  • Access wisdom from the UUA website about forming justice programs and their numerous brochures and guides so we don’t have to reinvent programs.
  • We could bring together the different groups of social and environmental action to share ideas and provide support to each other instead of existing in silos.
  • Empower the Social Justice Council to pull together our actions and make the larger community aware of groups and activities.
  • We could organize a writing group where people interested in justice issues could write and share together and connect to our faith and values. This would help deepen their commitment to justice and help meet their spiritual needs.  This would be especially valuable to those who could more easily access the group on zoom.
  • We could organize a central webpage that lists social and environmental justice actions that are happening through UUCville. Several people said they would like to participate, but do not have the time and energy to do their own thorough research to identify effective action.
  • Attending lectures and follow up discussions is especially helpful in learning about issues.
  • We could engage in targeted letter writing and emailing to representatives. We could publish letters in the local papers.
  • Perhaps we could focus on one issue per year together.
  • We could focus our efforts on the climate crisis and associated economic disparities.
  • We need to find ways to continue with Active Hope in the face of the climate change which can lead to despair.
  • Put community work days on the church calendars ie: Habitat/Ivy Creek
  • Have more intergenerational community services projects:
    • Rivanna Conservation
    • Work days with other local environmental groups
  • UU sponsors Radio IQ and mentioned that we may want to come up with a slogan to say when they mention the UU Sponsorship ie: “Committed to cutting carbon”

• For our building and grounds:
  • Research the carbon footprint of the church campus (an initial step in B&G 3 year plan) 
  • Use recycled paper toilet paper 
  • Use organic products (particularly coffee) – perhaps from Fair Trade – 
  • Have a energy audit completed – through LEAP 
  • Do an audit/assessment of practices:
    • Solar
    • Energy
    • Waste/recycling/compost
  • Use rain barrels
  • Evaluate the refrigerators in the building:
  • Smaller refrigerator in Summit House
  • Adjusting temperature for hot water heaters
  • Research gray water systems
  • Setting heating/cooling temperatures 5 degrees/warmer or cooler depending on the time of year
  • Start a community vegetable garden
  • Work toward Green Sanctuary 2030 certification
  • Move toward net zero carbon emissions on our campus
  • Involve the youth in environmental activities – working in the garden, etc
  • To examine our campus sustainability, we need a sustainability task-force that could use an existing organizational sustainability audit reporting tool to look at current practices and metrics around energy, water, waste, light pollution, habitat, healthy materials (low VOC, non-toxic, recyclable etc.), air quality etc. Completing this report will give a comprehensive look at where we are doing well, what we are currently addressing, and what the opportunity areas are for our buildings and practices. This should be completed prior to the completion of the Buildings and Grounds Comprehensive plan so as to inform the decision making, vision for the future, and priority projects. Curious if we have previous / current audits our congregation has performed. 
  • Pull from existing resources. UUA Green Sanctuaries goes beyond building operations to include congregant personal behavior modification, environmental justice, and community resilience. Again, curious if our congregation has engaged with this program in the past, but could be good to build momentum towards launching this in the coming years 
  • Growing the Sustainability Ministry – “Congregational Practices” Sub-Committee. We will need to build capacity and leadership in order to start organizing some new building practices – this would be another facet of the Sustainability ministry. How cool would it be for our building/congregational practices to teach people how they can do things differently at home? One example of how we can change our practices with support from a congregational group and outside organizations is through sourcing, recycling, and composting:
    • Can this Committee help the congregation and staff put in the structure in place (check list?) that we are prioritizing sourcing low plastic/reusable/compostable products for the congregation; creating clear instructional signage and habit change around trash, recycling, and compost. Likely also will need waste sorting volunteers during events/Sundays to educate and support folks in making the appropriate choice; and finding a local partner (e.g. Black Bear) to take our congregation’s compost (we don’t have to maintain our own compost system but can start diverting this waste).
  • Look at light pollution and campus grounds sustainability comprehensive plan
  • C3 competition with other churches
  • Electric car charging station/bike racks/car pool/public transit options
  • Incandescent lights switched out to more energy efficient lighting
  • Can we use renewable energy credits with Dominion
• Financial Action:
  • Use only sustainable banking organizations for our funds and our credit cards
• Education:
  • Research and share good climate news/success stories to help people feel motivated and hopeful
  • Educate the congregation on ways they can be sustainable – by examples of members already doing so – either a forum or perhaps an Environmental Tour of Homes
  • Have a zoom only service either monthly or quarterly to reduce carbon footprint of congregants
• Advocacy
  • Advocate for government laws and policies that support a sustainable planet
  • In the larger community
    • Partner with other churches (particularly marginalized groups) to work on environmental projects
    • Partner with community organizations such as Food Justice Network to work on community gardens (Washington Park)
    • We could collaborate with local environmental groups such as Cville 100, the UVA Sustainability group, and Interfaith Power and Light.  We could have a UUCville representative attending their monthly meetings.
    • Locally, water distribution is a problem and our streams are open to pollution.
    • Take action to protest the wars through association with national groups and the United Nations group.
    • Leverage the relationship we have with IMPACT to better utilize and push for mass transit
    • Work with local/state and federal officials to change sustainability policies
• Steady work, with love and patience.
  • It is a big challenge to change institutional and individual behavior without added staff time or support from a professional group. We need to be patient and strategic so that we can make incremental changes that are n