Listening Groups

Summary of UUCE Listening Groups

As part of its transition process, UUCE hosted listening group opportunities for members and friends on Sunday February 10 and February 17, 2008. These facilitate small group discussions focused on three questions:
• What are your hopes and dreams for the next chapter of the church’s history? Think about 10, 20, 40 years from now, not just the next few years.
• What aspects or qualities of our church do you most want to see us hold onto?
• What in our church do you love that you think we will have to leave behind as we grow and move?

Approximately 125 people participated in the wide-ranging discussions, and while the answers were varied, some particular themes did arise. A complete detailed list of all responses is available for use by the Building Project Oversight Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee and other church committees. The summary below reflects the general themes from the discussion. These are not listed in any priority order, but do reflect the most frequently addressed issues or comments.

Hopes and Dreams for the Next Chapter:
1. To be a presence in the community (social justice, activism, interfaith work, civic leadership, a “conspicuous beacon.”
2. Location is important (visible, central, “church for the larger community,” public transportation)
3. Sense of community and connections is important
4. Diversity and intergenerational opportunities are important
5. Our major programs and sufficient space for them is important (Religious Education for both children and adults; choir and the music program)
6. Sufficient staff for what we want to do, and space for them is important
7. About the Building:
• Aesthetics (art, building design)
• Sufficient space for all we want to do and be (many, many examples in the notes)
• Connection to nature
• Green values
• Accessibility

Aspects to Hold Onto:
1. Sense of home, welcoming, intimacy
2. Strong Religious Education Program
3. Strong Music Program
4. Connection to nature (windows, skylights, gardens, etc)
5. Personal connections and sense of community (Small Group Ministry, lots of options for involvement, community offerings, candles of concern, etc)
6. Worship services and spiritual opportunities

What Will We Need to Leave Behind?
1. Nature on this site and our beloved building (deer, wildflowers, round/dome)
2. Knowing everyone and being known
3. Some people
Physical reminders of the memories in this church

Raw Data

Items with no number in front of them received one mention.

Question #1: What are your hopes and dreams for the next chapter in our church's history?
15 Well-known for social justice; political, religious, social activism (homeless, youth outreach?
14 Be a conspicuous beacon; a bigger presence in the community; leadership role
11 Artwork: construction and galleries
9 Big enough to influence civic affairs (ex. First Church in PDX; leading edge of right behavior in community)
9 Centrally located (people will see us and come; perceived as church for larger community--not just south eugene; visible and attract larger community)
8 Larger, but still sense of connection/home (small groups)
8 Flexible building, able to be configured in different ways; expandable
7 Diversity: More welcoming to Christians, people of color, young families, people with disabilities, different socio-economic
7 Public transportation, accessibility
7 Paid staff large enough to meet our needs; paid well
7 More outreach for new members; mentoring of new members
7 More active, caring community
7 Industrial Kitchen
7 Big room/gym/stage to host regional events; showers; overnight events
7 Some way to keep connection to the natural world
7 Accessible for all--one level
6 Another UU church in the area (maybe 2 of 800 each?); seed other churches
6 Dedicated space for choirs, music storage, instruments
5 More adult RE (own wing?)
5 Second minister
5 Welcoming community who is asking questions
5 Keep growing, don't contract (600-900)
5 More interaction between adults and children
5 Green facility
5 Fireplace room w/library and overstuffed chairs, archives
4 One service
4 Large foyer/coffee house
4 plenty of meeting space
4 Sufficient office space for staff
4 Childcare on same floor/level as service
4 Designated worship space (ie chapel), not always switched for programs
3 Work, Outreach for elderly; UU Rest home, near senior centers
3 Naturally beautiful site
3 Big, cool, neat RE space (own wing?)
3 Large enough facility for all who want to come here
3 Involve youth in the business of the church
3 Strength, vision as we think about future/building
3 Outreach efforts, maybe separate from church itself (homeless, showers)
3 After school RE program or preschool during day
3 Adequate social hall
3 Lots of activities/program choices
2 Still face-to-face opportunities
2 New mision statement before the move
2 Interfaith work
2 Be part of the neighborhood
2 Available for rentals
2 More financial generousity; abundant spirit
2 7 principles
2 Stain glass window--chalice
2 Roundness of sanctuary--we can all see each other
2 Attract more people in 20s and 30s
2 Property that allows room for growth
2 Programs for youth as become adults
2 Newer technology, more business management
2 Safe (well-lit in evening) and accessible parking
2 state of the art sound system (and portable sound; RE too)
Plateau (500)
Relevant to current times
Less need for parking--fewer people drive
Successful capital campaign while maintaining operating budget
US President who is a UU
Acknowledgement of over-arching nature of Uuism
Accessible in winter/snow and ice
Cooperative Community
Honor current love energy
Outdoor Sunday services
Conscientious objection training
Space for 12 step programs
Develop skills to deal w/problematic behavior
Carry wisdom and blessing of our elders with us
One church
Larger could eliminate "in group" feeling
Connections between internal and external connections
All-church retreats
Large RE growth (UU school?)
personal depth of growth; acknowledgement of personal gifts, feeling useful
Beautiful sanctuary
Stronger connections with UUA
Church that does away with stereotypes of Uus (faith and heart not just intellect; hands-on activists not just letter writers and donors; laughs more)
Better communication (website highlights new aspects of church and what groups are doing; ways to incorporate new members ideas without asking them to take a lead--such as UU bookstore)
curb appeal
community time before events (group meals)
Childcare for all events
UU church on every corner
Always challenge everyone
Promote individual healing and
Leadership development for pool of candidates for office
Sloped seating
gathering space where we can all fit
UU Yellow pages for businesses
Unified corporate project annually
Home for holistic health care
Reflect the things we believe in
Congregation be aware and supportive of all committees
Weekly small service, more communal
Maintain a quiet place within the programming
To be here
Windows
Good acoustics
Organ
Raucous parties without having to close the doors
No organ
Used 7 nights per week
Space to grow food
Bastion on 20 acres
Couches for RE, comfortable
Game room
Playground with better equipment

Question #2: What aspects or qualities of our church do you most want to see us hold onto?
11 Choir/Music--ever more! Want a space worthy of our great choir
10 Sense of home, welcoming, friendliness, intimacy
9 big windows, skylights, natural light, gardens
9 Strong RE for kids and more adult RE
8 Quality of building and grounds aesthetics
7 Small group ministries
7 Sense of Community, personal connections
6 Lots of different ways/programs for people to get involved
5 Appreciation for greenness, Green Sanctuary Committee
5 Outdoor play space
3 Round sanctuary, see faces
3 Conflict resolution process/non-violent communication, right relations
3 Opportunities to welcome/introduce/involve new comers and visitors
3 Non-judgemental love
3 Rituals (advent garden, blessing of the animals)
2 Worship Services/Sermons, silence, chalice
2 Diversity
2 Flexible space (chairs, not pews)
2 Candles
2 New member orientation--be clear about who we are and our values
2 Spirituality
2 Community offering
2 Youth outreach at the university
2 Integrity
2 Put values and beliefs into the building
2 Minister to one another
2 Represent liberal religious values; discuss the big issues of life
2 Authenticity vs. prideful
2 Trust in ourselves, each other, the process
2 Artifacts (ceramic chalice by Lynn Bowers)
2 Rev. Steve and program staff
2 Intergenerational
2 Transitional ceremonies
Personal Reflections
Questioning
Congregational polity
Maintain sense of sacred place
More Adult RE
Focus on 7 principles
Simplicity
Social justice
Balance of head and heart
Spirit of Life
Friday night get togethers at people's homes
Individuals lining up for joys and sorrows--after the service?
Energy, enthusiasm, volunteerism
Low windows in the nursery
Acoustic barrier from outside noise (esp lawnmowers)
Manageable size
Restrooms with outdoor view
Accomodating to families
Non-traditional design
Ability to open doors
Member roles and responsibilities (not just staff)
Caring Community
Central core of people
Connected to the world
Indoor haunted house
Open and accepting of individual's beliefs
Open space around the building (quiet, nature)

What in our church do you love that you think we will have to leave behind as we grow and move?
15 Oak trees and deer and crows and wildflowers
11 Physical plant and location/Beloved but unsustainable building
9 Intimacy
7 Knowing everyone and being known
7 Round shape, dome, ceiling
6 Reminders of memories (weddings, memorials, baby dedications, etc)
5 So close to my house
4 History, stories
4 Windows, rain hitting the roof, reflections off the glass
4 Chairs (not pews)
3 Some people
3 "smallness", gravel parking lot, rural feel
3 Catch-as-catch-can finances, scarcity
2 Idea of every person having the ability to weigh-in on every decision
2 Architectually important structure, work of art
2 Safety--change to a different kind of issue
2 Outdoor space for children
Some friendships
Home
Worry that we might lose our shared values as we grow--factionalized
The peace pole, the salt lick, the "boats"
Simplicity (sound system, kitchen equipment, etc)
Ability of all to volunteer--things become more structured and intentional
Access to leadership
Bus line
Name UUCE
Upstairs/downstairs of RE
Percussive wooden floor
hear choir practice during meetings
Ability to open doors for real air
Nest, insulated feeling
Single minister
Openness
Quiet


Other notes to the BPOC
2 Work hard to pass this site onto another church or "worthy" buyer
Downtown negatives: parking, vandalism, expensive property
Move sanctuary to new property for a chapel
Site selection will be more art than science--getting at core of shared values
Consider involving Grant Seder again
Be aware of/look for happy surprises
Keep excitement and momentum that we are now feeling
Summarize transition stories of other UU churches and share with congregation
Experience of debt will be new to us (up to 25% of operating budget)
Talk about needs before build (such as size of sanctualry, whether to have 2 services)
Appeal of having a second church
We have so many differences, it will be hard to make it come together
Convenience of access very important
More acceess to the homeless if we are downtown
Would be good for UUCE to do a community special meal (thanksgiving, Xmas)
It's important that we're taking time so can adjust and process the change
Time to move on!
PeaceHealth clinics on 17th and Willamette or 30th and Hilyard, and Civic Stadium could be good spots
Remain flexible
The physical is not everything