Annual Report – Theodore Parker Church Membership Committee – June 3, 2012
Committee Members: Bev Hope, Posy Walton, Tori Hatch
The Membership Committee has experienced a successful year, with the congregation
growing and visitors who enter our doors continuing to attend as “regulars.” It is good to
be told by newcomers that when they enter our doors they are made to feel welcome; for
that, we thank you of the congregation. Your openness to new people is a real asset to the
Membership Committee in its mission to build a strong congregation.
Since last June, we have met and added to our mailing list 36 visitors; and 10 people have
signed the membership book and been welcomed into the congregation. Some of those
new members have already accepted active roles in the work of the church.
The focus of committee activities has been the encouragement of growth in the size and
strength of the congregation. With the objective of encouraging the West Roxbury
community to join us and learn more about us, the committee created a banner that has
been mounted occasionally on the fence corner, asking, “What is Unitarian Universalism?”
and recommending, “Come in and find out!” Before the most recent “Getting-to-know-YouU” meeting, the committee mailed to each recent visitor an invitation printed on our stained
glass note cards. To encourage fellowship among current members and friends, the
committee offered two “Sunday Lunch” gatherings at Bertucci’s restaurant this spring. The
first of those was attended by about a dozen people, the second by only four, possibly
because of inadequate notice. And every Sunday, 37 volunteers scheduled by the
Membership Committee have greeted people at the front door, provided coffee and tea after
church, and offered visitors a welcome and UU information during that fellowship hour.
The biggest challenge for the Membership Committee this year has been our own
membership. In the previous year, the committee consisted of five members, two of whom
were lost to the Standing Committee in the fall. A new member recruited in October was
unable to serve after two months. In December, to our great regret, chairman Tom Keydel
found that he had to withdraw from the committee. A new member who joined in February
was unable to continue after the May meeting. But just this week, Tori Hatch has agreed to
join Bev Hope and Posy Walton on the Membership Committee, with a possible fourth
person to join next fall.
The committee is confident that it can continue to make progress toward its goals of
expanding the congregation and supporting fellowship within our church community, largely
because of the very nature of that community. You members and friends of Theodore
Parker Church make the Membership Committee’s job easy because you are such an
interesting, thoughtful, and welcoming group of people.
Respectfully submitted,
Posy Walton
Membership Committee