THEODORE PARKER CHURCH ASSET MAPPING
3/9/2014
I.
COMPILATION OF CHURCH RESOURCES
Welcoming, caring, interesting congregation
Warm, welcoming congregation
Welcoming spirit of congregants
Energy of kindness
Pressure-less, guilt-less atmosphere
Really welcoming – I was welcomed and I try hard to meet anyone new
Lots of new people with energy
Friends new and old
Welcoming congregation in all aspects
GBTLQ integration is great
Openness towards gay/lesbian folk
Appreciation of and respect for each other’s differences
Friendly and inclusive people
Friendly, supportive, interesting, caring community
Open community, accepting, welcoming, caring, friendly
Open to new ideas
Open-mindedness
Open-mindedness
Open-minded congregants
Strong sense of TPC community
Sense of community, people who care about each other
Openly loving, hugs, encouragement, sympathy, laughter
Community supports one another
Compassionate people who act on their caring
Reflects values of caring for each other and larger community
Concern about each other
Caring community
Church community cares for its members, formally and informally
Work of pastoral care committee supporting those in need
Nurturing, caring community fostering great interpersonal relationships
Small group ministry, connection, intimacy, spiritual bonding
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Small group ministry and its potential to support and grow our interactions with one another
Small group ministry and adult ed – places for people to “go deeper” with each other
Community of caring, interesting, talented, funny, fun, smart individuals
Many wonderful, interesting, thoughtful people
Friendly people, never know who you’ll have your next interesting conversation with
Interesting, intelligent and reflective conversations among congregational members
Deep thinkers, intellectual curiosity
Intellectual challenge: members and friends who are open-minded, thoughtful, highly
educated, engaged and stimulating
People with multi talents and knowledge
Gifted and creative and talented individuals in congregation
Creative congregation whose priorities well up from the people
Smarts
Smart congregation
Smart, intelligent, highly educated
Smart, creative children
Idiosyncratic, individualistic, political
Unconventional people
Casual mode of dress most days
Humor
Good sense of humor (usually)
Playful attitude
Improvisational
Fun
Fun – social events, food, etc.
Organized and abundant coffee hour
Really good coffee hour that is fun to attend
Coffee hour – food, socialization
Good food, multiple functions – coffee hour, dinners, etc.
Many people like making (and eating) good food, promotes fellowship at picnics, dinners,
coffee hour
Involved congregation
Can-do organization
Can-do attitude
Can-do spirit
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Can-do spirit
Problem solvers
Extraordinary array of human resources and talent, which, when minds are set to accomplish
something, seem to be able to do most anything!
Congregation of interesting, generous, socially progressive people, many of whom are very
committed to the church
Most people are involved in some aspect of serving the church
People who pitch in to do whatever needs doing (almost whatever…)
People who are willing to put much time and energy into our church
People who are willing to volunteer
People willing to volunteer
Great volunteers
Spirit of volunteerism
Strong ethic and practice of volunteerism: most of church activities, governance and
operations are managed and implemented by congregants
Giving, talented friends and members willing to serve on church committees and participate in
church services, etc.
Active committees
Strong committee leadership
Solid core group
Lay-led congregation
Lay leadership
Volunteer leadership: skills, dedication
Amazingly dedicated members, people who volunteer to do so much work here and who are
willing to try new ideas and activities
Participation in all of church life
Lively congregation, joiners, communicators
Encouragement to get folks to participate
Variety of entry points to be engaged (RE, dinners, committee work)
Opportunities to contribute and join in the creation of community
Learning to work in community
Dedication of so many people towards church – committees, caring for people in need
People who are committed to the church and its ideals as a principled community
People who value community, diversity and social action
Shared ideals, though not quite agreeing about how to improve the world
Committed social activists, social action committee
Social justice activity
People’s commitment to social justice
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Commitment to Walk for Hunger
Fair trade chocolate for sale
Generous congregation, to church and other organizations we support
Generous donors
Generosity of spirit of financial giving
More and more efficient fundraising efforts devised over time
Dedicated community intent on growing the church and developing long-range vision
Growing
Desire to learn/explore together
Valuing religious exploration, child and adult
Active adult RE program
Adult RE, especially this year
Active youth programs
Annual youth service
Involved parents of youth
Youth commitment to Rosie’s Place
Active child RE program
Children’s friendships
Energy to help kids believe they can make the world a better place
Spiritual openness and variety
UUA philosophy and history of practice, principles, support
UUA principles as a cornerstone for faith and inquiry
UU theology
Orientation of spiritual practice: inclusivity, openness, intellectual, worldly, poetry, nature,
sermons, readings, closing words
Diverse spiritual perspectives, e.g., the God question from atheist to social justice as spiritual,
nature, Buddhist-inspired practices, etc.
Focus on beauty and nature
Meditation
Shared spirituality, meditation group
Feeling of spirituality
Variety of spiritual beliefs accepted and encouraged
Open to many diverse beliefs
Non-Theist congregation, place to worship that fosters creative, free, religious thought
All faiths, beliefs and doubts are welcome
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Wherever you are on your spiritual journey you are welcome
Great, inclusive theology
Our temple all space, an inclusionary creed
Services free of dogma
Spiritual liberalism, all paths honored
Liberal church
Shared ethos around services leads to wonderfully inspiring services
Thought-provoking and inspirational sermons and services
Sunday services that are interesting, thought-provoking and moving
Sermons and services are creative, thought-provoking and inspiring
Thoughtful, inspiring services
Services recharge spiritual batteries and moral compass
Preaching ministry rooted in felt needs of persons and families
Meaningful sermons
Great sermons
Diversity of service topics
Informality and flexibility of services, no two services are the same
Creative worship services
We embrace creative worship services
Active worship committee that seeks input from membership
Congregation is involved in services
Congregants, including children and teens, participate in planning and performing the service,
not just led by minister
Intergenerational service time
Interesting lay-led services
Quality lay-led services
Music
Music plays important role in services
Excellent music coordinates with service
Quality of music during service
Music with its diversity and with its beautiful melody as an example for our deepest aspirations
Part of service that is moving, inspiring, spirited
World class music which soothes, inspires, heals the soul, etc., which is/could be a major
attraction in its own right
Exceptional classical music offset by experimental /other traditions
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Varied music worship
Musical talents/varied types
Musical talent throughout congregation, great hymn-singing, choir and bands
Musical talent in congregation, voice and instruments
Musical talent and performance
Talented, gifted musicians for Sunday service
Amazing musical program with variety and type of music that we play, many talented musicians
who are also members
Variety of musical participation
Democratic musical philosophy, lots of opportunities to get involved in music
Active, diverse, participatory music program
House band
Great house band
Pianists, choir, choir director, house band
Music: choir, piano
Musical talent: Yukiko, Michael & Laura, TPC Singers, musical groups
Music: talent, Yukiko, Michael, Laura, creative, house band, guest musicians
Very talented congregation and staff, Michael Johnson, Yukiko Takagi and Laura Dowd
Solid music program: Yukiko, choir
Yukiko, guest musicians, talented church members
Yukiko
Yukiko on piano
Yukiko’s skill on piano
Michael’s musical talent
Choir, good sound and it’s growing
Choir’s contribution to services
Great choir
Great, versatile choir
Choir
TP Singers
Idea: intergenerational choir
Sanctuary and Parish Hall
The building with its fine stone work and historical mission as a permanent message of faith as
a value
Wonderful, historic buildings
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Love and concern for buildings
Preservation-minded congregation
Gorgeous sanctuary that I find to be a peaceful, centering place to be each Sunday. Somehow
when I am in the sanctuary I feel spiritually renewed
Sanctuary that promotes feelings of peace and harmony thanks to its space and beautiful
windows
Beauty and good energy of sanctuary
Beautiful, bright, comfortable, feels welcoming
Beautiful sanctuary
Stunningly beautiful sanctuary that can be used for multiple purposes (services, concerts,
community meetings)
Sanctuary, all of it, not just the windows
Beauty of interior sanctuary, architecture of ceiling
Beautiful windows and structure for meditation and worship
Beautiful sanctuary, windows, spacious, sound system, quiet atmosphere, historic pulpit,
comfortable, accessible
Sanctuary with its shape and its stained glass and its history
Sanctuary: beauty, windows, sound
Sanctuary is a lovely, lovely space, beautiful windows
Attractive sanctuary
Lovely buildings: have more church activities in the church, invite neighborhood in for events
Lovely building, stained glass!
Sanctuary, Tiffany triptych
Architecture of UUA space, size, care of such amazing windows
Beautiful stained-glass windows and historic building
Beautiful stained-glass windows
Beautiful windows
Beautiful windows
Beautiful windows
Iris window
Windows
Amazing stained-glass windows
Tiffany window for meditation and sheer beauty
Tiffany windows
Tiffany windows: beauty and historic/artistic significance
Windows: artistry, maintenance, beauty, subject, historic, unique
Those windows! Idea: engage with MassArt, other local art programs
Tiffany windows in parish hall
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Windows in parish hall
Lovely spaciousness and acoustics of parish hall
Space for expanded religious exploration program
Location
Our location in a vibrant, growing community with many cultural and aesthetic marvels
Great location with potential to make connections to community organizations that share our
values
Central location
Central location in formerly homogeneous Catholic neighborhood
Bastion of liberalism in the midst of a rather parochial community
Location of church in city, high visibility for community
Building at highly visible location in community
Location in visible center of West Roxbury opposite train station
On public transportation – location, location, location
Location, location, location
Exterior building maintenance showing better appearance on street
Potential of garden and grounds as visible beauty on Centre St.
Church is in my neighborhood
History
Our history
History
Historical value
Important history
Great history: Theodore Parker, early Boston
Intriguing history, proud place In Boston’s story
Historically important church for West Roxbury
300 years old, long history, Theodore Parker, constantly evolving
Well-known historical UU figure – Theodore Parker – for whom the church is named
Legacy of Theodore Parker
Theodore Parker connection
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Staff
Great staff, Michael, Yukiko, Sheila,
Great minister
RE Director Jo
II.
THREE RESULTING ACTION AREAS
1. Foster lay talents
canvass to discover each person’s talents and interests
connect folks with similar talents and interests
support lay leaders
bring new leaders in
2. Promote space for community use, share our loving community with greater community
bring more people into buildings through various events, expose people to church and music
pre-service concerts
music videos of service online
music in sanctuary during plant sale
music at farmer’s market
musical events
theater
films
lectures, discussions
food-related events
art shows in front entryway
make a documentary of what we do
3. Forge connections with wider community
community liaison committee, a brainstorming group to manifest our institutional intention to be
involved in caring actions in our community
programs for community involvement
get involved in local projects: Main Streets, city spring cleanup day with food afterwards
pancake breakfast
share our flowers
bring service music outside; service in Arboretum
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