Building Community in Congregations
In our congregations, we build community in many ways. Sunday morning corporate worship is usually the event in the life of a congregation which brings together the most people, and thus one source of community-building. Still, it is important to remember that the goal of worship is primarily spiritual transformation, for both those already part of the community as well as for visitors and newcomers.
Certainly, time at church before and after Sunday worship affords many opportunities for community building. To that, I urge congregants to keep social time after a worship service free of conversations about committee work and other church "business." Instead, I hope we focus on being together with one another, especially to meet and welcome visitors and newcomers. I call this a "shoptalk-free zone." Certainly, we build community as we do the work of the church and as we participate in programs for faith development, social justice, music-making, spiritual deepening, and more. Still, during post-service social time, many Unitarian Universalists --- conscientious, hard-working individuals --- are readily given to discussing projects, meetings, and other church tasks. What comes less easily to many is down time together, laughing, having fun together in open, trusting relationships. A regular schedule of congregational meals and fun time --- the weekly potluck, the monthly movie night, the annual 4th of July picnic or the holiday party in December --- is essential to building healthy community. Breaking bread together builds connections. Further, effective methods of communication to reach all members of all ages, no matter what their communication style and preference for media, is critical to keeping a community informed and united. Multiple media for communications --- email, printed materials, Facebook, paper and electronic signage in the building, and more --- is essential to assure effective communications about the workings of the congregation.
Certainly, time at church before and after Sunday worship affords many opportunities for community building. To that, I urge congregants to keep social time after a worship service free of conversations about committee work and other church "business." Instead, I hope we focus on being together with one another, especially to meet and welcome visitors and newcomers. I call this a "shoptalk-free zone." Certainly, we build community as we do the work of the church and as we participate in programs for faith development, social justice, music-making, spiritual deepening, and more. Still, during post-service social time, many Unitarian Universalists --- conscientious, hard-working individuals --- are readily given to discussing projects, meetings, and other church tasks. What comes less easily to many is down time together, laughing, having fun together in open, trusting relationships. A regular schedule of congregational meals and fun time --- the weekly potluck, the monthly movie night, the annual 4th of July picnic or the holiday party in December --- is essential to building healthy community. Breaking bread together builds connections. Further, effective methods of communication to reach all members of all ages, no matter what their communication style and preference for media, is critical to keeping a community informed and united. Multiple media for communications --- email, printed materials, Facebook, paper and electronic signage in the building, and more --- is essential to assure effective communications about the workings of the congregation.
In what we hope will continue as a mostly post-pandemic time for our congregations, rebuilding community is of utmost importance. We must not only encourage established members and friends to return to in-person activities. We must also be creative in attracting new folks to our congregations, as we also continue to nurture online connections begun during the height of pandemic, many with individuals geographically miles away from our brick-and-mortar buildings.
Community at UU Lancaster: Holiday Lunch, Laughing with Congregants, Elbow-Bump to Head Off Coronavirus
In all transitioning ministries I have served to date, one of my important responsibilities has been supervisor or chief of staff. Addition to a minister’s role in encouraging community-building among congregants, staffing is another important focus for community. The reality of modern church life is that many staff positions are less than full-time, and many positions are underpaid for the number of hours required to do our work well. To that, as supervisor I try to lead supportive, collaborative community among staff. Regular staff meetings, weekly or bi-weekly, build relationships. I also aim at least once a semester to hold some sort of social event for staff: lunch or dinner together, away from church; picnics in my back yard; and more. I also aim to build relationships between staff and lay leaders, particularly with the governing Board. A frequent practice of mine at mid-winter holidays is to donate holiday cards to the congregation, to be sent to each congregant, signed by leadership and staff by coming together for a card-signing party and holiday cheer. In the congregation I served before my current ministry, we also collectively celebrated the retirement of the longest-serving member of the church staff, during a party for the entire congregation and in a dinner for staff only.
Staff and Board Card Signing Party Emma's Farewell Cake Emma's Farewell Staff Dinner
"Trunk or Treat" Halloween at Muncie UU, October 2021
The central task of the religious community
is to unveil the bonds that bind each to all.
There is a connectedness, a relationship
discovered amid the particulars of our own lives
and the lives of others.
Once felt, it inspires us to act for justice.
Mark Morrison-Reed