Introducing the Connecting Congregations Program for Association Sunday
We are pleased to announce a brand new initiative for Association Sunday 2009.
In keeping with the purpose of affirming our common bonds and recognition of the fact that We Are Better Together, we invite you to participate in the Connecting Congregations program as a part of your Association Sunday celebration.
What is the Connecting Congregations program?
Connecting Congregations is a way of affirming that we are an Association of Congregations and that through Association Sunday, we are not simply strengthening our connection to a building in Boston, but to one another—to other congregations all over the world to which we are connected by faith. We’re setting aside a day to celebrate our commonalities.
When you sign up to participate in Association Sunday, you can also sign up for the Connecting Congregations program, wherein you will be matched with another participating congregation. You will be provided with information about that congregation, including their website address and the name and email address of their main Connecting Congregations program contact person.
We ask that on the day of your Association Sunday service, you light your chalice for all of our Unitarian Universalist (UU) Congregations but most especially for the congregation to which you’ve been matched through Connecting Congregations. Sample chalice lightings can be found in our Worship Resources. (Resources will be updated for 2009 soon.)
You may also want to set aside a moment during your service to share some history about the congregation for which you’re lighting your chalice, as further means of honoring the experiences of Unitarian Universalists in another part of the county. Try looking for specific connections, like the common size of your congregation, common founding dates, maybe the fact that both ministers went to the same theological school, etc.
In addition to turning your focus towards one another through your chalice lighting, you may also consider issuing a friendly “challenge” to your connected congregation as motivation to help Grow Our Faith and raise funds for important Growth in Diversity initiatives.
Suggested challenges may include increasing your Association Sunday donations over prior years or increasing the overall participation from your congregation over prior years. Or, come up with a challenge of your own!
Be creative with your participation! Think about setting up a laptop to “Skype” each other on a specific date, or make a video saying hello to your partner.
Try to get your Religious Education classes involved. Maybe they can take a group picture in their classroom to send to the church with which you've been matched. Have them write a letter or make a small present to send!
Your level of participation is completely up to you. You are free to invest just as much of your time as you are able. A small commitment to reaffirm our bond as UU congregations can lend great rewards.
Can I choose my own Connecting Congregation?
Yes! There is a space on the registration form for you to indicate that preference. All we ask is that you let us know the name of the congregation you’ve chosen and that you are sure that the other congregation agrees to the match! If possible, try to choose a congregation in a different district or a different area of the country so as to better bridge the divide of the physical distance between us.
If you choose to let us match you with a congregation, we will let you know of your match on or before September 1, 2009.
How do I sign up?
It’s easy!
If you have not already signed up for Association Sunday 2009, you can register as an Association Sunday participant and a Connecting Congregation online.
If you have already signed up for Association Sunday 2009, please contact us at associationsunday @ uua.org or (617) 948-6544 to register as a Connecting Congregation.
After you sign up, we’ll be in touch with a confirmation.
And, as always, please feel free to contact us if you have any questions.
Last updated on Wednesday, May 13, 2009.
