I was a religious skeptic who bristled at joining a community.
But two things changed that: My kids
— Jane Roper

Thinking About Becoming A Member?

If you've been attending our services for a while, you may be thinking about expanding your spiritual journey through membership in the Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento. Joining UUSS establishes a mutual relationship of depth and commitment.

If you've been attending our services for a while, you may be thinking about expanding your spiritual

Becoming a member involves:

• Learning your way around the congregation. For most people, this means participation in the four-hour New Member Orientation program, which is open to all who wish to explore joining our congregation. To register, sign up on Sundays at the Welcome Table in the back of the sanctuary. Those who are already familiar with Unitarian Universalism may contact the Membership Committee Chair about individual orientation meetings.
• Strengthening your Unitarian Universalist identity and developing your talents through service with a UUSS committee or activity group. Find out more about these activities in the Pathways section of this website or pickup a Pathways brochure in the pamphlet rack to the left of the main sanctuary door, near the Welcome Table.
• And deepening the spiritual practice of generosity by making a financial pledge to the congregation.

If you have questions about joining UUSS, please contact any of the ministers, the Membership Committee Chair, or the Orientation Coordinator by calling the church office at 916-483-9283.

The congregation looks forward to welcoming you as a new member!

An Introduction to New Member Orientation

Roger Jones, Family Minister
Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento, California
Spring 2010

Dear New Friends and Prospective Members,

Welcome to the congregation! I’m glad you are considering membership here. These words come from Dr. Rebecca Parker, the president of Starr King School for the Ministry: “Over the years in ministry, I’ve learned that no one comes to church for a petty reason.”

I’ve learned that as well. People don’t call to make an appointment with a minister for trivial reasons. No person or family shows up on Sunday mornings just to kill time. Most of our visitors don’t seek us out unless something has set them on a search for belonging, depth, celebration, and meaning.

Nobody joins this congregation—and nobody supports it, either—for trivial reasons. I think of the volunteers: Trustees, committee members, Religious Education teachers, worship leaders, musicians, Greeters, Ministry Circle leaders, Lay Ministry listeners, cooks, and others.

I think of the devoted members and friends who stretch themselves to support the congregation with generous financial pledges every year. Doug Kraft and I invite you to consider the enclosed materials and your own circumstances, and to make a generous pledge commitment for the coming months.

Many people think of their pledge in terms of giving a percentage of their income or assets. I encourage all Unitarian Universalists to aim toward giving, in the aggregate, at least 10% of their annual income to organizations that serve the greater good. One of these organizations, of course, would be their church. I make a monthly pledge to UUSS that totals 5% of my yearly income, and I give another 7% to other institutions, causes, campaigns, and charities.

If you are ready to make a monthly pledge, download a pledge card for this new fiscal year, July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2011. Let us know if you have any questions about filling it out. The new Stewardship Campaign theme is “All the Ways We Grow.” Members will vote on a proposed budget at a congregational meeting May 23, and the new fiscal year will begin July 1.

Current pledges to UUSS range from less than $10 a month to nearly $20,000 a year. This is an economically diverse congregation. This diversity is what it means to be part of a community. Contributions of all sizes are valued and appreciated.

Some can afford to give more than others, and some less. Indeed, some pledge and give more because we know others cannot.

If you would like a personal meeting to discuss your pledge or any aspect of church life, please give Doug Kraft or me a call or an email.  We strive to earn your trust and to keep it.

Your pledge is your decision, so please choose an amount that feels right. Give till it feels good! Again, welcome to UUSS.

Yours in the spirit,
Roger

PS — Please know that if your financial situation should change in the coming months (for better or for worse), it is quite appropriate to revise your pledge (either down or up!) by notifying the UUSS Office or one of the ministers. Thank you.