How to Become a Member
Membership at Emerson UU means that you have decided that this is your spiritual home and that you wish to join in the covenant of our religious faith. For many of us, being a member of this community of faith is what makes the meaning of our religious identity come alive.
There are four steps that you must take to become a member at Emerson:
- If you are able, you are welcomed and encouraged to attend the four-part class Pathways (PDF, with current dates) to Membership which is offered several times a year. If you wish to join, but the next session seems too far away, you are welcome to begin the membership process and take the class at a later date. Please contact our minister for more information about joining our congregation. Our Pathways to Membership class will give you a foundation in Unitarian Universalist history, theology, and our congregational life.
- Arrange to meet with our minister.
- Complete the Membership Application Packet which is available at the guest table in the Chapel Vestibule. This packet will be explained in the Pathways to Membership Class and in your meeting with our minister.
- Sign the membership book in the presence of two board members.
You may elect to sign the membership book privately at any time or publicly on the next New Member Sunday during the service.
After signing the membership book, you will be an Associate Member. You become a full member 90 days later. At this time you are accrued the full rights of membership if you have also made a financial gift of record.
Rights of Membership
- A VOICE at the Chapel – You have the right to be heard and to participate in making decisions about Chapel life. This includes the right to vote at congregational meetings and the right to chair committees and to serve on the Board of Trustees.
- A VOICE in our denomination. You have the right to represent the congregation as a delegate at the Central Midwest District Assembly and the General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association should you be elected to do so by the board and/or the congregation.
- All rights of passage - child dedication/baptism, marriage, holy union, funeral, memorial and other rights of passage.
- Pastoral care from our minister and/or Caring Committee in times of need.
- You also receive the magazine UU World, a quarterly publication of the Unitarian Universalist Association.
Responsibilities of Membership
- Regular attendance at Sunday morning worship and religious education whenever possible.
- An ongoing commitment to your own spiritual and religious growth.
- Active participation in the community. We all count here and we all matter. As equals, we share in caring for each other and our community. There are many ways to do this. We encourage our members to attend and vote at congregational meetings where we make the important decisions about chapel life. We encourage attendance at congregational social events. We encourage all members to volunteer their time. There are many avenues for volunteering, including service on committees, helping with greeting, fundraising, groundswork, chapel cleaning, special events, teaching in our religious education program, community service and outreach, and much more. We do not expect our members to volunteer at all times, understanding that life can be unpredictable, but we do hope that all members will volunteer as they are able and inspired. We strive to connect your passion, interest and talent with the needs of the congregation so that your service becomes a way of enriching your faith as well as strengthening and growing our beloved chapel community.
- Financial support of the congregation. Unitarian Universalist congregations are self-sustaining. Our ministries are completely funded by the voluntary generosity of our members.
Youth Membership
Anyone over the age of 15 can join the congregation. Youth Members are not expected to pledge although most have choosen to do so.
