We are actively working to name the priorities that will guide our planning and resources (allocation of money, staff time, volunteer time, and facilities use) for the 2025 – 2026 Congregational Year. While there are core ministries and functions that we always include, it is helpful to articulate some specific aspects of our congregational life that we hope to enhance in the coming year.
For example, in this year’s 2024 – 2025 Priorities, we listed under Spiritual Growth – Support community building among the visitors, members, and friends worshipping online. Next week, Jen Thomas and I will be launching a social and spiritual time for people who join us for worship online sometimes or all the time. If you join online, then you don’t have the chance to connect in coffee hour following the service. Now, we will experiment with offering “Connect & Reflect” at 5:30pm on Tuesdays on Zoom. Hosting it on Tuesday also allows people who work on Sundays or couldn’t make it for whatever reason to have a couple of days to catch up on the service they missed. We will share a reflection question in the Sunday service and again at the gathering. All are welcome whether you join us online only, whether you join us online at times and in-person at other times, or whether you join us mostly or completely in person. I hope to see you there on February 4th.
Here are the DRAFT Resource Priorities for 2025 – 2026. What you may notice is that many are continuing priorities from last year with some tweaks or changes in light of what we have heard from you.
2025 – 2026 Resource Priorities
1. Grow Membership/Friendship
- Enhance our website, social media, and online communications
- Develop a strategy to move people from visitors to engaged members & friends
2. Increase the resources we have to fulfill our mission
- Recruit volunteers and equip leaders (time and talent)
- Move towards generosity at all financial giving levels. (treasure)
- Help people see the connection between what they give and what we can do.
3. Lifelong Learning
- Evaluate our offerings for children, youth, and families and support teachers & advisors to ensure a robust program that meets the needs of today
- Expand learning opportunities, small groups, and classes for adults of all ages
4. Spiritual Growth
- Practice becoming a multigenerational music making and worshipping community.
- Support community building among the visitors, members, and friends worshipping online
5. Partnerships & Turning Outward
- Building up justice networks & interfaith partnerships in the Portland area and within the UUA
- Deepen our service and connection to our neighborhood through the Shower Project & community-based activism
6. Engaging our 8th Principle within and beyond our walls
- Reflecting and acting on implementing our commitments to antiracism and anti-oppression:
- Within different parts of our congregation
- Beyond our walls in our work for justice
7. Equipping Leaders
- Include the wider congregation in a strategic planning process to chart the future together: Mission, Vision, Covenant, and 5-Year Plan
- Learning how to manage change and navigate conflicts in healthy ways
Please let us know if you have any feedback about these priorities, and if there are ideas you have about how to move them forward. You can email the Executive Team (Rev. Alison Miller, Rev. Tom Disrud, and Kathryn Estey) here.
In faith,
Rev. Alison