Adopted at
- Annual Meeting – May 4, 2008 -
Mission Statement
The mission of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Pensacola
is to be a community which models embracing diversity,
living one’s beliefs while supporting spiritual and intellectual growth and service.
Long Range Plan
By 2013, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Pensacola
will be a congregation that…
MINISTRY
Vision: Maintains a full time settled Minister who shares responsibility with an active lay ministry in fulfilling the church Mission and reaching out to the wider community with adequate staff support.
Action:
· Sustains an experienced full time Minister who shall be accountable to the Board and Congregation
· The Minister shall be in the pulpit an average of three Sundays per month during the program year with an emphasis on high quality sermons
· The Minister shall be actively involved in working with the Ministry Teams/Committees
· The Minister plays an active role in the larger community, both religious and civic
· The Committee on Ministry/Ministerial Relations Committee maintains open communications with the Minister, conveying the pulse of the church community
· The Congregation, through appropriate Ministry Teams/Committees, will provide lay ministry in support of the Minister
SUNDAY SERVICES
Vision: Supports meaningful, engaging Sunday Services that include inspiring music and wide-ranging theological views and other topics in an atmosphere of freedom and acceptance.
Action:
The services will:
· have a spiritual atmosphere with intellectual rigor, applicability to people’s personal lives, and relevance to social issues and will include celebrations of multicultural diversity and UU identity
· be structured, professional, and diverse in subject and in format enhancing the service theme
· include children and youth to participate regularly in Sunday Services through music, dance and in other ways as leaders and participants
The Sunday Services Team/Committee will:
· work in collaboration with the Minister
· cultivate and support lay leaders’ involvement as Sunday Service leaders and in the overall planning for services
· in consultation with the Minister, will be responsible for providing well-structured lay-led services when the Minister is not in the pulpit
· invite conversation with speakers after the service when deemed appropriate by the Minister or (in the case of lay-led services) the Sunday Services Team/Committee
· hold intergenerational services from time to time
· incorporate UU Service Committee programs on a regular basis such as Guest At Your Table and Justice Sunday
Music, including a choir, will be an important part of the service and will embrace various musical styles for all ages
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Adult, Children and Youth, Library
Vision: Supports comprehensive religious exploration and education programs for all ages in the membership and in the wider community.
Action (Adult):
The Adult Education (AE) programs will provide diverse educational opportunities for:
· religious education and exploration
· inspiration and world wisdom traditions
· artistic and musical expression, such as occasional art shows and concerts
· individual spiritual and intellectual growth seminars, groups and classes
· involvement in justice, integrity and environmental issues
Action (Children & Youth)
Children and Youth Religious Education (RE) will provide diverse educational opportunities in an enjoyable, supportive and nurturing environment that:
· fosters a learning environment that promotes the youths’ ability to express our UU values
· increases the compensated hours of the Director of Religious Education (DRE) in consideration of UU Fair Compensation Guidelines
· works with Membership to increase the number of young families with children
· welcomes non-member participation in RE activities
· initiates intergenerational programs in coordination with Fun and Fellowship and Sunday Services to unite adults and children within the congregation
· recruits lay leaders to carry out RE programs under the guidance of the DRE
· promotes periodic exposure to various artistic and musical programs within the classroom and in conjunction with church services
· promotes participation in social action initiatives within the church and the wider community
· starts a high school age youth group with an advisor interacting with other UU groups in the district
Action (Library)
The church library provides resources for inspiration and educational explorations as it:
· acquires resources as appropriate
· maintains an accessible and organized collection
· systematically records and accounts for library materials
MEMBERSHIP
Vision: Facilitates significant growth by inviting New Members into active participation that celebrates multicultural diversity and includes an outreach focus to young families, young adults and persons of diverse backgrounds.
Action:
· Uses creative publicity and outreach techniques (including UUA materials as a source) to increase membership by 10% each year
· Maintains contact with existing Members and Friends beyond requests for financial contribution to help assure ongoing participation.
· Encourages all Members to participate in welcoming newcomers
· Schedules New Member orientation and recognition activities.
· Reviews and updates annually the membership development plan
· Fosters the ability of our Members to communicate UU beliefs and values
· Provides opportunities to learn about UU history
· Encourages the participation of all Members and Friends in the democratic process of the Congregation, including Annual Meetings
· Cultivates an involvement in regular church functions, offering time and talents
· Encourages intergenerational activities on a regular basis
· Moves toward becoming a Welcoming Congregation as defined by UUA in joint endeavor with the Social Action and Adult Education Teams/Committees
CARING
Vision: Enhances the sense of church community, through lay ministry, and maintains close consultation and collaboration with the Minister.
Action:
· Reaches out to individuals and families to address their personal needs and transitions
· Encourages communication and sharing through the use of articles in The Light, through Joys and Concerns in Sunday Services, as well as through other means such as the ‘Caring Box’
· Provides outreach to Members and Friends with visits, cards, calls and/or emails
· Provides “Listening Friends” when requested by Members and the Minister
· Provides oversight and support of the Memorial Garden
· Provides assistance to the Minister for memorial services
FUN AND FELLOWSHIP
Vision: Provides frequent opportunities for enjoyable interaction in a way that celebrates different interests and increases our sense of community.
Action:
· Coordinates monthly events such as potluck luncheons, Circle Dinners, and celebrations, such as Solstices, Halloween, Christmas and 4th of July
· Coordinates efforts for after-services Coffee Hour
· Increases outdoor and intergenerational activities
· Promotes periodic social and artistic events that may eventually include an annual UUCP family weekend retreat
SOCIAL ACTION
Vision: Commits to a social action program that serves the church, the wider community and the world at large.
Action:
· Sponsors educational forums and/or events to educate the congregation, such as the Ellen Palme Film Series
· Promotes participation in activities and hands-on opportunities to support issues, such as affordable housing, pro-choice, GLBT rights, political and civic concerns, public school advocacy, and animal rights
· Sponsors the annual adoption by the Congregation of one social justice theme for congregation-wide involvement, such as affordable housing
· Participates in annual events such as Earth Day, the Martin Luther King Parade, and Memorial Day GLBT Rights activities
· Collaborates with Sunday Services and Religious Education (RE) programming to promote involvement in current issues
· Supports the Minister in social action activities in the wider community
· Supports the children and youth RE activities related to social action
DENOMINATIONAL AFFAIRS
Vision: Encourages Members to participate in Mid-South District and UUA activities beyond the congregational level.
Action:
· Utilizes leadership training of Mid-South District (MSD)
· Supports participation of emerging congregational leadership in the annual “Mountain" Leadership School
· Promotes involvement in Mid-South District activities, conferences, and MSD committees
· Encourages and financially assists members to attend General Assembly as voting delegates and as members of the congregation in order to bring back vital information for congregational growth and well-being
· Continues commitment with the UU Service Committee (UUSC) through programs such as, but not limited to, Guest at Your Table and Justice Sunday
· Encourages awareness of denomination-wide activities, issues and publications including uua.org, UU World Magazine, InterConnections Newsletter, Beacon Press and Skinner House Books
· Participates in inter-faith connections within the local area
· Engages in outreach to members of the Church of the Larger Fellowship
in our region
ADMINISTRATION AND ORGANIZATION
Vision: Has an organizational design to efficiently achieve the church’s Mission, Vision and Action Plan.
Action:
· The Governing Board will be a broad policy-setting body serving, with the Minister, in mutual support of their respective responsibilities and accountable to the Congregation
· Ministry Teams/Committees will implement and support the activities that reflect and comprise the program life of the congregation
· The Governing Board, the Minister, Denominational Affairs Team/Committee and the Nominating Committee will collaborate and support efforts to identify, recruit, develop and train church lay leaders
· Ministry Teams/Committees will share the responsibilities of implementing the Governing Board’s policies
· A Council of standing Ministry Team Leaders/Committee Chairs will meet on an occasional basis to coordinate activities and offer mutual support
· The standing Ministry Teams/Committees will be supplemented by ad hoc committees and task groups
· The Minister will carry out policy and administer the church including direction of contract staff that includes an Administrative Assistant, a Director of Religious Education, and a Director of Music. Oversight of custodial services will be provided by the Administrative Assistant
· A set of Bylaws will be supplemented by statements of Policies, Procedures and Position Descriptions
· A thorough needs assessment will be periodically conducted by a task-focused ad-hoc team appointed by the Governing Board. The membership of this team will be representative of the ministry teams/committees. The ad-hoc team will determine the assessment tool, conduct the assessment and analyze results. Results, observations and recommendations will be submitted by the ad-hoc team to the Governing Board and promulgated to the congregation upon Board review
COMMUNICATIONS
Vision: Maintains active internal and external communications to increase connectedness among our Members and Friends, using all available media and modalities as available and appropriate.
Action:
· Publishes and distributes a monthly newsletter to Members and Friends
· Expands opportunities for public interest circulation
· Maintains a newcomer-friendly and informative website especially designed to attract persons looking for our church and to enhance communication among members and friends
· Sends emails to Members and Friends to highlight and update UUCP happenings
· Develops a phone tree to supplement email, primarily for persons lacking computer access
· Provides notices of special events at the church in the form of posters and handouts
· Sends notices of church events, including Sunday Services to area newspapers, local TV and radio stations, tailoring items to conform with their style and requirements
Ways and Means
Vision: Cultivates a creative, prudent and generous attitude toward financial management that fully supports its ministry and operational budget through annual financial commitments/pledges and offerings.
Action:
· Maintains a comprehensive financial plan, developed by the Board in conjunction with appropriate ministry teams/committees which will include a Five Year Capital Budget, updated annually
· Generates additional revenue streams such as - marketing our building to increase rental income, and hosting periodic, carefully planned fundraising events, sometimes targeted for special projects
· Meets annual UUA and Mid-South District financial contributions
· Distributes a quarterly report of giving to assist Members and Friends in tracking their financial contributions
Budget Projections
FY 2009 FY2010 FY2011 FY2012 FY2013
Budget Drive $100,000 $108,340 $115,875 $124,035 $132,713
Total Budget $135,000 $144,450 $154,560 $165,380 $176,950
BUILDING AND GROUNDS
Vision: Maintains and improves facilities to create an aesthetic and functional environment in concert with Green Sanctuary efforts and activities.
ACTION:
· Provides security of church property
· Provides for adequate custodial and maintenance services
· Provides grounds maintenance for ongoing and long term aesthetics and
safety
· Commits to purchase of products for church use that are environmentally-friendly and cost effective
· Evaluates opportunities for growth and expansion of our properties, to enhance their overall value
· Will address the following projects based upon the Five Year Capital Budget
- Kitchen improvements, including acquiring commercial equipment that
meets Energy Star and/or Green Sanctuary requirements
- Heating/Air Conditioning
- Sanctuary: improvements will include flooring, interior design,
acoustics, lighting & aesthetics
- Religious Education classrooms, choir room and conference room
enhancement
- Exterior building and roof maintenance
- Accessibility of building and services
GREEN SANCTUARY
Vision: Lives out our commitment to the Earth by supporting a sustainable lifestyle by individual Members and as a faith community.
Action
· Builds awareness and motivates action in regard to environmental issues and injustices
· Encourages personal lifestyle changes
· Builds a connection between spiritual practice and environmental consciousness
· Supports the goals of energy conservation, reducing consumption, reusing and recycling
· Works with Sunday Services, Religious Education and Communications
· Researches and leads the Congregation in implementing the UUA guidelines for becoming certified as a Green Sanctuary
· Coordinates with Building and Ground to make ‘green’ facility enhancements
· Upon designation as a Green Sanctuary church, maintains those standards and systems
· Educates New Members and Friends about Green Sanctuary
Adopted at Annual Meeting
May 4, 200