The Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica

Cottage Meeting Results

Around a hundred members and friends attended the nine Cottage Meetings held after Sunday services and at residential homes between September 20 and October 4, 2009.

Groups ranged from five to 25 attendees. The intimate settings and small group size allowed for a fruitful and inclusive exchange of ideas, thoughts, comments, and conversation. The meetings also built community and allowed members and friends an opportunity to meet one another in a relaxed and informal setting. FUUsionites joined with parents of college-aged children, early service attendees met with 11 o'clock worshipers, and relatively new friends joined with committed lay leaders to consider the two discussion questions.

Dozens of pages of flip chart notes taken during the meetings have been reviewed by the Search Committee. Cottage Meeting Chair Karen Canady prepared a narrative summary of the comments which will be shared with ministers in search.

Summary of Cottage Meeting Discussions

Question 1: How would you describe this congregation to its prospective ministers?

In terms of our beliefs, to the extent there are trends within our congregation, many commented on our resistance to (or avoidance of) “God talk” and lack of a strong Christian association or theology. One characterization: Older members are humanistic; younger members are spiritual but not religious; Few life-long UU’s.

Many discussed the representation of many generations and varied beliefs and personality types in our congregation. Many credit that to a strong RE and YRUU program, as well as the large young adult group (fUUsion). While acknowledging some aspects of diversity in our congregation, many discussed the lack of racial and ethnic diversity.

As is true for the Los Angeles area, our church is full of transplants from other places. Members are geographically spread out, which means that when they come to church, they mostly reconnect with their own friends.

Many noted that traffic and geography limit the ability of members to participate beyond Sunday services. It speaks well of our church, though, that many travel to attend this church rather than another UU church that would be closer to home. Many described the congregation as supporting a wide variety of groups, and there was much discussion of the pros and cons of this diffuse array of interest groups. Some are concerned that we lack a unifying focus, while others see the benefits of making a wide range of people feel welcome to participate in the activities that interest them.

We place a lot of emphasis on social action; some expressed concern that we do not do enough or get sufficiently involved in the needs of our immediately surrounding community.

It was apparent from several of the meetings that we will always face the challenge of satisfying those who seek greater emphasis on the intellectual components and those who prefer more emphasis on the emotional and spiritual.

Question 2: Looking back one year after our new minister has arrived, what will be your measures of success?

Usually the first comments were about maintaining and increasing attendance and membership as well as financial contributions. Many mentioned a balanced budget.

Some mentioned that a successful search would mean we would see new people volunteering for responsibilities, the minister connecting with children, and people discussing the service long after it’s over. Others mentioned that we would see growth of music program and increased denominational involvement. Also mentioned: “no elitist management group” and “minister knows the names of the regular attendees at Sunday services”.

The discussion often turned to listing of desired characteristics in the new minister. There was hope expressed for enhanced friendships, community. In addition to keeping the good things that are here, it is hoped the minister will build on them. Some expressed hope that the minister has a calling, likes their job, enjoys working with us, challenges us, is thought-provoking, inspires us; appeals to head and heart, and can tell jokes, stories.

A common theme in these conversations was the leadership style we need in our next minister, such as one who “has spine”, a leader but not one who takes over the church, and one who is not afraid to speak up regardless of what folks may think. Many talked of the challenge of many people being comfortable with the way things are versus wanting change. Many expressed a desire to see more social justice and community involvement, and using these activities to increase our church’s visibilityj in the community.