How important is a congregation’s name to you? Mine is considering a name change, and we don’t know whether to rename it to something relates to local geography—we are in a valley—or something related to our mission.
We have community in our name, and I think it fits us pretty well. We try to be very welcoming. We also have our location at the end as there are several "Community churches".
With a name based on a "mission", or your mission statement, you'll surely attract newcomers. But your congregation should be aware of the convictions that name will add. In other words, if your name is "Grace UU", I'll expect to be welcomed graciously. It's a bit tricky. Like having some inspirational quote on the bumper sticker of your car. You'd better be conscious of that at all times,on the road. Or someone will just call you a phony. We've all seen the Jesus sticker on the car speeding through a red light.
Excellent point. Under promise and over deliver
The Unitarian Universalist in York, PA calls itself a Society.
What is really in a name? I don't think a name on a marquee or carved sign is as attractive as a message under it identifying what it is, you know, something like "An All-Inclusive Cogregation" or stating core values like "Truth. Service. Justice." Every congregation eventually develops it's own character, even numbered ones. In the end it is whatever works and whatever a majority agrees upon, so pick a winner!
Interesting question. What is the pressing reason to change the name? Is there confusion with a neighboring congregation? My original church was the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville. A splinter congregation formed out of a conflict, The Greater Nashville UU Congregation, but I don't think there was any confusion.
I'm interested to know why the move to change.
We met for 15 years at a college, and our name
referred to a fuzzy geographic location because we didn’t know where we’d land. UU Congregation of the Somerset Hills — the hills comprise about 5 towns. We now have a building in a small town and want a more intentional name.
@UUNJ If I were a member, I'd lean toward something geograpical. That seems to be the norm, and there's a lot to be said about providing what people expect, especially in a denomination with so many other things out of the norn.
There is a very large denomination in my new location named Neighborhood UU Church and the name throws me off every time I hear it. I would instantly know what we were talking about if it were called the Pasadena UU Church.
Good luck with the decision.
Posted by UUNJZoom worship behind. the scenes.
Posted by UUNJZoom worship behind. the scenes.
Posted by Eagle61UPDATE: I'm moving to Campus Towers Apartments on the West Side of Jacksonville, FLA in November.🚚
Posted by UUNJHere’s a photo of me holding a chalice during the worship service I delivered via Zoom to the UUs of Fallston , Maryland.
Posted by UUNJMost UU congregations are closing for a few weeks, and many of them are going online for services and meetings.
Posted by UUNJVisiting Memphis for a workshop on the OWL Sexuality Education for Older Adults curriculum I wrote.
Posted by UUNJSwitched congregations last Sunday, kicking things off by singing a song and giving a sermon on sexual pleasure and communication (the regular minister spoke on the same topic more briefly, same day.
Posted by Eagle61Ditching the Nestle-made bottled water for a while in exchange for regular old tap water; bottled water sometimes 'enlarges my prostrate' and sends me to the bathroom a couple of times overnight!🤔...
Posted by UUNJHad a first today: was singing a song at my Uu church when a visitor passed out and slumped onto her daughter.
Posted by Greg610The road to success is always under construction🚧
Posted by UUNJMy outfit for church tomorrow. I’m promoting the Movie-themed service auction. I made the costume from an $8 skirt and tops I had and sewed together. The wig is from Party City.
Posted by UUNJClimate Strike today in my UUA sidewithlove shirt
Posted by UUNJThe view from my hotel window while I’m in Spokane for UUA General Assembly.
Posted by UUNJIf you’re on Facebook, you may enjoy this lighthearted group.
Posted by UUNJAttended worship today in Salt Lake City.
Posted by UUNJAttended worship today in Salt Lake City.