WOW Shocking Secrets of the New Member Ceremony Revealed!!

In the spirit of transparency here are some details about the new member ceremony.

Originally we did not have a ceremony until Anneke Senger requested one when she signed the book. She says it took her a number of years to get enough courage to join a group such as ours and she thought it was important to commemorate the event.. After the shock of even contemplating establishing a tradition or ritual, Gus & Rev. Amy and I wrote the words.

We incorporated some words from our mission statement, which was collaboratively written many moons ago. The words are like an old recipe handed down over time from person to person; and, the words may change however the intent remains the same.

We call you up during service and ask you to introduce yourself to the congregation in the form of an affirmation on why you want to sign the book.

Then we say the words that we wrote:

Please join us in welcoming:

[YOUR NAME HERE]

Leader:

Congregation, what do you offer these new members?

Congregation:

We offer you a spiritual community that welcomes questions, explores answers, and shares the lessons of life. We offer you a place among us as we strive to create a community of love and trust. We welcome your unique gifts and talents which will color and enrich the tapestry of our congregation. We welcome you with all our hearts.

We welcome you and hope that in becoming a part of our community you will remind us that each of us bring unique gifts to share, as you do. As you join with us, you change us, as we change you. Sugarloaf transforms and evolves, forever changing, as we are enriched by our growing community.

Then you sign the book and the congregation cheers!!

It's a simple ceremony our goal is to make you feel welcome and not to overwhelm you by requiring you to run through fire, wear a robe or gown or hat, get wet, carry baggage, or memorize words.

Please note: One discussion [debate] was whether to use the word "tapestry vs.. quilt"... I definitely am as much a freedom-ista as I am a WOW-ist; therefore, I view us more as a quilt than a tapestry. Each of us has our own section of the pattern and of the artwork.

WOW Shocking Secrets of the New Member Ceremony Revealed!! Part II

We're UU; we reserve the right to change!!