THE ECLECTIC CLERIC - “Springing Forward”

I know it’s hard to imagine, with four-foot tall snowbanks still lining the sidewalks, and winter storm warnings every other day, but better days are just around the corner. And I, for one, can hardly wait. “March Fo(u)rth” is the only date on the calendar that is also a command. And soon we’ll all be marching forward, toward warmer weather and longer days, and the long-awaited rebirth of new life in Spring.

A recent survey by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life indicates that approximately one-half of Americans have changed religious affiliation over the course of their lifetimes, either from one faith community to another, or from no faith community to a new faith community, or even from their original faith community to no faith community whatsoever. And buried deep within the footnotes of the report is the information that approximately seven-tenths of one percent of Americans identify themselves as “Unitarian or other liberal faiths,” and that approximately half of those identify specifically as “Unitarian (Universalist).”

Three-tenths of one percent is approximately 600,000 souls…not a whole lot of folks in a general population measured in the hundreds of millions, but approximately four times as many as the number of UUs who are currently listed on the membership rolls of the 1,042 congregations that make up the Unitarian Universalist Association. So, where are all these missing Unitarians? Out meditating in the woods? At home drinking espresso and reading the Sunday New York Times? Or perhaps spending time at a playground with their families, or doing volunteer work for a progressive social service agency, or even just enjoying a leisurely brunch at a cozy, local restaurant?

The fact is, they could be just about anywhere. But they’re NOT in church…and I’m curious why. What is it that we need to be doing better or differently that will make our congregation a more attractive option for these “phantom” UUs? How can we best serve the people who ALREADY know they belong here, but for some reason don’t feel like hanging out with the rest of us?

I’m a firm believer that people have different needs for spiritual connection at different times in their lives. Sometimes you just want to sit quietly for an hour on Sunday morning, enjoy the music and listen to what the preacher has to say. Sometimes you want to be involved up to your eyebrows, with classes and small groups and social events, and volunteering for every activity and committee you can find. And sometimes it’s enough simply to walk by the front door and glance at the message in the Wayside Pulpit, and know that if you choose to you can walk up the steps and through the front door any time you like.

But sometimes people just get out of the habit. This is why I would like to suggest that in addition to “Bring a Friend to Church” Sunday, we ought to have a “Bring a Friend BACK to Church” Sunday. Easter, or the Jim Scott concert on April 6th, or my Installation Service on May 4th – these would all be great opportunities to invite someone you know to visit our congregation and worship with us…either for the first time, or for the first time in a long time. Who knows? – they may be missing us just as much as we’ve been missing them. The only way to find out is to ask…….twj