Following our Reinvention Meetings, we sent out Part 1 of a survey to capture your ideas on trends and recommendations that were shared. Here are some results and action plans from that first survey:
In terms of the elements of the Sunday morning Celebration Service, respondent results indicated that for the most part, people are quite satisfied with the format and flow of the service. The changes we will be making, in response to the majority of feedback, include:
- Bulletins: the information to be said by the congregation will be highlighted in yellow, making it easier for visitors to locate.
- Once a month, we will interchange a Metaphysical version of the Lord’s prayer. We will also occasionally use the Lord’s Prayer in another language.
- We will be using only platformers or ministers to make announcements (except on special occasions), and every attempt will be made to keep the announcements short.
- We will be switching the Opening Chorus every month. Keeping the same opening for a month will help everyone get familiar with the various opening choruses we use. (There will be exceptions, such as using Let It Go! for the first Sunday of the year.)
- We will continue to have both Rev. Bil and Rev. Cher speak together most Sundays, based on the overwhelming positive feedback to this approach. The mix of metaphysical and practical application will continue.
- We will continue to mix the hymnal music with more current hymns, working to find ways to help the congregation learn them. We will work with Aaron and Synchronicity to see how they can provide more help to the congregation in learning the newer songs. Overall, there was an even split between those who like the older, more traditional hymns and those who preferred the newer, more current music. By combining the two, we hope to provide a nice variety that will speak to everyone in different ways.
- As we work to become financially sustainable, we will do our best to provide excellent special music with internal resources. We will be inviting congregation members to sponsor outside special music, to help with our budget.
- We will be starting our Wednesday night “Un-Services” focusing on Bridging the Gap Between Science and Spirituality in February.
Be on the lookout for the next phase of our survey, coming out soon. In the meantime, if you would like to talk about the survey results from Phase 1, feel free to speak with any Board member, including our ministers. And please — invite your friends to join us at USLC!
(originally published in our 01/07/11 e-newsletter update)
