USH Dreams – from 2015 Annual Meeting

These are the raw notes from our “dreamcatching” exercise at the 2015 annual meeting.  Come help us shape some of these dreams into reality!

Dreams

USH flourishes

WORSHIP

Services in at least 2 languages and at least two services/week

Integrated service for youth and adults

Grounding in Reverence

Two full-time ministers

Intergenerational services;

MUSIC

Amazing, energetic music program

a Keeper of Sacred and Choral Music

Continue making magnificent music

More varied musical program with additional congregational participation

More participation by children in music

Children’s choir

Larger choir

A children’s choir which will sometimes sing with the adult choir

LEADERSHIP

Grow as a shared ministry with congregation and ministers both leading the church

FINANCES

Fair pay to staff

Stewardship year round

Fundraising every month

Expanded staff hours (with appropriate pay) to support our USH congregation

Solvency

Keep being direct about church finances to whole congregation

ENDOWMENT

Our endowment is $3,000,000

Endowment investments more reflective of our values

Tripling endowment to $3,000,000 to keep our Society and building healthy!

Endowment thriving

Leave endowment for absolute necessities

Our $10,000,000 endowment helps fund social justice programs and educational initiatives (repeated)

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Community of justice and mercy

Every Life Matters is the focus of racial justice work

USH known as a strong and heartfelt partner for social justice in Hartford Community

Our $10,000,000 endowment helps fund social justice programs and educational initiatives (repeated)

USH is an expected and well-known civil rights participant and leader in CT and beyond!

USH will establish more and continue to participate in green initiatives

A congregation with a conscience

USH has made a difference in the cause of animal rights!

“Local mission trips”

Fair trade purchases for the congregation; put our money where our mouth is

Significant impact on social issues local, national, and international

Progress on race relations to the point where slogans like “Black Lives Matter” seem antique (200 years)

COMMUNITY-external

Continued investment in community and world

Active in the community to live our values and thereby strengthen our faith and, hopefully draw community members

The UUs in Greater Harford are a recognized presence and offer programs for all ages across the region

USH has had a significant impact on improving educational opportunities and outcomes for Hartford students

Engage with Hartford to make the growth and change that the citizens wish made

More outreach to neighborhood in Hartford, Albany Ave, and West End too

Greater community involvement

Co-housing

Provide farmers’ marked on our grounds

One UU society for greater Hartford

How spread the word about UU so more people in the community know what it is what we are

More presence in the community

Why Religion Matters—strong connection to local colleges & universities

To join formally or informally with the other 2 UU congregations

More presence

Reaching out to Trinity, UHa, and UCONN branch

COMMUNITY-internal

Hearty representation of all generations, all ages, connecting and learning from one another

USH is diverse in its people, cultures, acceptance with no creed expected, only a promise to lead by and with love

Theater program

Vibrant dinner party program

The USH concert program will grow to twice the number of events and contribute twice the fundraising dollars

Ongoing open get-together-to-hang-out-and-do-crafts group

Strong sense of community

Have good positive attitude throughout congregation—keep doing that!!

USH has created an inclusive community where all people feel welcomed and loved

Reaching for a more in-depth understanding of value of differences of opinions, philosophy, and governance of self and society.

MEMBERSHIP

Well balanced intergenerational membership

Membership grows

The Congregation will double it’s membership

The sanctuary overflows with full attendance for 3 services a week (15 years)

USH membership has tripled!

A continued focus on the growth in membership

A more diverse, colorful, inclusive membership representative of surrounding community

500 members

More diversity in the congregation with equal access for all

USH has 800 members

Increase in membership and participation in on-going functions of church

active participating membership of 400+

200 person membership

Encourage welcoming to new/old members

Energize new and existing members to full involvement in church

Sanctuary full, singing, and engaged

Average age approximately 40

Welcoming to diversity (sexual) and other cultures

RE and YOUTH INVOLVEMENT

A huge RE program known to the larger community

thriving RE community

RE programs grows exponentially

a vibrant R.E. program

Significant growth and active participation of families with children (young-middle agers)

Active, sizable group of children well-supported by member/volunteers

Honoring and nurturing children

More kids

Youth more involved in all aspects of our internal lives at USH

BUILDING and GROUNDS

Functional and effective facilities

Use more renewable energy!

Maintaining building—lighting, hearing, heating & air-conditioning, solarize

For 200th anniversary…Preserving and enhancing the building and grounds (and fixing the perennial roof leaks)

The whole church will be air-conditioned! (15 years)

Outdoor landscaping, gardens, etc.

Renovate interior—new chairs, warmth, ecomfort

Accessibility for hearing impaired (ASL?)

Well refurbished meeting house

Need for buses to bring people to services because of too little parking

We will have funds available to handle maintenance issues on an on-going basis

USH building independent of the electric grid

Solar panels provide electricity o USH and neighbors

The concrete supports viewed from outside the building will be spray painted with durable industrial paint