Becoming a Member of the First Universalist Church of Southold

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

The purpose of this Church shall be to affirm and promote a compassionate community, which rejoices in the diversity of people and ideas. We dedicate ourselves to the examination and practice of a free and liberal religion within the heritage and tradition of Unitarian Universalism.

WHAT DOES MEMBERSHIP MEAN?

Our members participate in this community of faith in ways as intricate and diverse as each individual personality. Congregational decisions arise from members’ hopes, needs, and imagination, and are settled by members’ votes. Our mission, detailed at the opening of this entry, was developed and voted upon by our membership. Today, we are guided by this mission along with the seven principles of Unitarian Universalism. Membership offers not only respite from the world’s madness and materialism but also sustenance to go out and engage with that world, hoping to make a difference. Members feel the strength of numbers, the power that comes from knowing their values are shared. Members are not alone, either in their struggles or during good times of accomplishment and fun.

WHO CAN BECOME A MEMBER?

Any person 16 years of age or over who is in sympathy with the purposes and programs of this Church may become a member by signing the membership book in the presence of the Minister of a member of the Board - during coffee after service would be a fine time to discuss taking this step with Reverend Addae or other members. You may also want to set up a time to discuss this with Reverend Addae before you make the decision. She can be reached through the church office at 765-3493, or at the parsonage at 765-9098. Active membership is open to all persons interested in the betterment of humankind, who seek fellowship with others and are in general sympathy with the purpose of the Church. Active members are asked to make a yearly financial contribution in support of the Church and it’s activities. Active members shall participate in activities as their circumstances permit. An active member shall have been a member for at least 30 days before being eligible to vote and to hold office.

PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERSHIP

In addition to shaping and continually refreshing the congregation and its activities, members enjoy two important privileges. Although committees include members and friends alike, only members can serve on the elected Board of Trustees that governs the congregation. All members also have a say on how the congregation spends its pledge income because the budget, every year, is reviewed and put to their vote. A further word on pledging:, the First Universalist Church of Southold, like every other Unitarian Universalist congregation, is solely responsible for funding its own programs and day-to-day operations. Members see their annual pledge not only as fiscally necessary but also as an opportunity to experience the deep joy of generosity.

WHAT JOINING WON’T DO FOR ANYONE AND WHAT IT MIGHT DO FOR YOU

One thing joining won’t do is deliver dogmatic answers to life’s most difficult questions. Unitarian Universalism is far less about having answers than embracing a lifelong, often exhilarating, process of thought, questioning and experience. Among this congregation, as with UU congregations nationally, you can find great variety of belief. Some people believe in God or a divine being, for example, some are agnostic, some atheist, and some hold to the basic principles of other spiritual schools of thought. Are we a religious organization? Yes, because “religion” means, at root, what binds us together. Unitarian Universalists are bound together by the values radiating through its seven principles. Joining for you could mean discovering fresh insights along familiar pathways. It could mean venturing into uncharted territory. In whatever case, the initiative is yours. When you sign the Membership Book, you are not signing on someone else’s dotted line.

OUR PRINCIPLES

The member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association covenant to affirm and promote:

· The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
· Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations;
· Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
· A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
· The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
· The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
· Respect for the interdependent web of all existence, of which we are a part.

Adopted by the 1984 and 1985 General Assemblies