Become a Rutland UU Member
Friends and visitors of Rutland UU are always welcome and may participate in nearly all aspects of congregational life, including Sunday services, small groups, classes, special events and financial support of the Church.
For many, becoming a member of the congregation is an important next step.
Membership Benefits
Some membership benefits are intangible:
- Spiritual and personal growth
- Deep connections with others
- Sense of being part of something larger than yourself
Some membership benefits are tangible:
- The right to vote at congregational meetings
- No minister’s fee for rites of passage
- Eligibility for serving on the Board of Trustees
- Eligibility to become a member of the wider organization (UUA) and also receive the UU World magazine
As a member of Rutland UU, you enter into a sacred covenant with the congregation. You join with us in our mission to provide a joyful and mutually supportive community of all ages, while fostering spiritual growth and the search for personal truth for the free and creative expression of thought, feeling and ideas. As members, together we strive to make a difference in our own fellowship and in the wider community by working for a more tolerant, respectful and compassionate world.
Steps to Membership
- Attend a two-part Path to Membership class with Rev. Barbara to explore what Unitarian Universalism is and what membership might mean to you
- Participate in the New Members Ceremony during a Sunday Service, in which you and the congregation commit to support each other
- Sign the membership book.
In Joining the Congregation
We expect members to be present in the life of the congregation in ways that support personal and congregational goals.
As a congregation member, you are encouraged to:
- Attend services regularly, as best you can, to pursue what’s meaningful to you and feeds your soul
- Make a commitment to your personal spiritual growth and cultivate a regular spiritual practice
- Contribute to the vibrancy of our community by sharing your time and talent in service of our mission
- Make an annual financial commitment consistent with your situation
- Vote at the Annual Meeting and any special meetings of the members