Dear Congregation,
Welcome to the 2018-19 Ministerial Search Congregational Record! This document was written by the Ministerial Search Committee, based on five months of research, conversation, and discernment including the results of the congregational survey and six focus groups. (The complete survey results are available separately on our website, http://firstuustlouis.org/ about-us/ministerial-search-committee.)
The questions were given to us by the UUA and are standardized across all congregations currently in search. The purpose of the Congregational Record is to convey to ministerial candidates as complete and honest a portrayal of our congregation as possible. Although we hope and believe that the document will also serve as material for ongoing conversations in the congregation, that was not its intended purpose. Also, please be aware that it has already been shared with candidates and can no longer be changed.
As a reminder, these are the principles we have committed to uphold throughout the search process in our covenant with the congregation, and which we have kept in mind as we wrote this Congregational Record:
1. Recognize and remain grateful for the trust bestowed upon us by the congregation. 2. Follow the search process and best practices as determined by the UUA Transitions Office based on the experiences of congregations and ministers over decades of time. 3. Conduct our work with due diligence and to the best of our ability. 4. Keep the congregation informed of the search process. 5. Maintain transparency in the search process, while keeping some information confidential as necessary. 6. Strive to discover what is best for our church, not what may be best for ourselves or a small group of the congregation.
The Policy Board, Church Council and Transitions Team will be helping to facilitate further conversation over the coming months. We are also hopeful that the information in the Congregational Record, and the discussions that follow, will help prepare all of us to welcome a new minister in August.
Sincerely,
The 2018-19 Ministerial Search Committee
First Unitarian Church of St. Louis Settled Minister
Saint Louis, Missouri | MidAmerica Region
Anticipated Start Date: August 2019
Term: N/A
Percent Time: 100% Time
Minimum Salary + Housing: $78,050 | N/A
Benefits: Self-employment offset tax; Retirement Plan; UUA Health Plan; Other Health Plan; Disability Coverage; Term Life Insurance; Dental; Professional Expense Allowance
Questionnaire
1. Describe the minister's role in relation to other paid staff: Per our Bylaws, the Lead Minister is in charge of supervising all hired staff and will retain and terminate all employees, in consultation with the Policy Board and the Church Council. The Lead Minister is the leader of the spiritual life of the church and all of the church’s worship activities and religious education activities.
2. Describe the primary areas of focus for the minister in this role: Our highest priority for the minister is leading Sunday worship, endorsed as “very important” or “extremely important” by over 85% of respondents in our congregational survey. Congregants would like the minister to preach three or more times per month and appreciate sermons that are intellectually stimulating, emotionally engaging, inspiring, and thought-provoking. After preaching and worship, the next highest priorities cited by respondents were community-building and membership growth, with an emphasis on social action and outreach. Our congregation wants a collaborative leader who can work well with the staff and Policy Board, assist with conflict resolution to unify groups within the church, and be a voice for social justice in the wider St. Louis community. Pastoral care and spiritual guidance were also ranked as important areas of focus, with some respondents also hoping for ministerial involvement in child and adult religious education.
3. List and describe the desired strengths for the minister: Open-mindedness was the #1 quality endorsed by 95% of congregational survey respondents as “very important” or “extremely important” for our next minister, closely followed by empathy and approachability. Over 80% of respondents also value multi-cultural sensitivity, professional competence, a sense of humor, and a collaborative approach. Our focus group discussions and open-ended survey questions similarly reflected this emphasis on interpersonal qualities, with over 150 mentions of friendliness, warmth, approachability, compassion, and empathy; the next most widely mentioned qualities were intelligence, education, and strong preaching abilities. Our staff has expressed a desire for a minister who is responsive, engaged, and respectful of others’ time and gifts. Many of us also want someone with a good sense of humor, a respect for and appreciation of diversity, strong organizational and administrative skills, and a commitment to social justice. We hope for a minister who is inspiring, enthusiastic, authentic and honest, self- aware, spiritual, accessible and receptive to feedback, involved, creative, and humble...as one person added, “maybe they can walk on water too!!”
4. Describe any ongoing momentum at your Congregation which the minister should continue: Our congregation has been working for several years on balancing respect for and appreciation of our rich heritage with openness to change and new ideas about how to “do church.” There is momentum building to create a unique fusion of past and future, tradition and innovation, reflection and commitment to action.
There is also momentum and a strong call within the congregation toward truly appreciating (and growing) our diversity – of thought, theology, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and even political leanings. This call seeks to improve this inclusion and understanding as the church touches the community, as we plan and learn, as we connect with the pulpit, and as we engage at coffee hour.
First Unitarian has a long history of involvement and leadership in the St. Louis community, and there is momentum toward continuing and building on that engagement, particularly in the area of racial justice. We are uniquely situated in time and place to have been galvanized by the shooting death of Michael Brown in nearby Ferguson in August 2014. This is magnified by our church's location in the city two blocks from Delmar, a major dividing line in St. Louis that separates the community racially, economically, educationally, and socially.
During our transition period we began a series of Fireside Chats in which participants could share thoughts about various topics. Some of the topics included: what brought us to First Unitarian and what keeps us here; what was our religious background/history and how does that inform our expectations; what is our governance structure and how do we communicate with each other about church business; and how do we connect with the wider community of St. Louis. This proved to be a popular and useful venue for exploring our diversity and learning how to talk with one another about our differences and appreciate various points of view. Interestingly, many of these issues were also brought up by congregants in our Search Committee focus groups. It is important that we continue conversations in these areas.
After some recent challenges, our office staff was reconfigured and is now strong and functioning well. A new minister should continue regular meetings and supervision. We are working this year on strengthening our planning process, to include regular meetings at the governance and lay leadership level, identifying goals, priorities, action steps, and assessment processes. Recent conversations surrounding the ministerial search have also included calls for openness, transparency, and better access to the governing body.
We are initiating a leadership development workshop series, and this is an important area that will need ongoing work with input from the minister. Support of the Membership Committee work and engagement of new members will also be critical if we are to thrive in the coming years.
The church has begun efforts to be more family friendly in recent years, though there is still much work to do in making families with children feel welcome and included. We have worked to involve children in worship service more, and have several intergenerational traditions, such as the annual Christmas Pageant, Blessing of the Backpacks, and Cardboard Play Day. Of concern, our RE enrollment has declined steadily over the past 10 years, and our RE Committee has met sporadically over the past year. Our newly hired RE coordinator came on board in September 2018, and we plan to continue to explore new ways to engage families and children. Involvement of children in the life of the church community reflects our values and is critically important to our health as a church community.
5. Describe any programs or traditions which the minister should maintain: Aside from maintaining our long tradition of vibrant Sunday worship services, we have many programs and events throughout the church year that we hope to continue, including the Clark Lecture, UnFish Fry, Fellowship Dinner, and Hanging of the Greens. We hope our next minister will support our many long-standing committee efforts such as Welcoming Congregation, Partner Church, Ministerial Intern Program, sandwich-making for the homeless, the church gardens, and our exceptional music program. Within services, we hope to maintain the tradition of a Story for All Ages and singing the children to class, as well as regular Designated Collections to support the work of non-profit organizations in our community. We also love our special services, such as Youth Sunday, Music Sundays, and the Christmas Pageant. More broadly, we hope to continue our tradition of being an active presence in the St. Louis community, from marches and protests, serving those in need, offering building space for organizations that need a home, to advocating for people who are oppressed in our society.
6. Describe how children participate in the worship service (if they do), and whether you have inter-generational services (and how often): Children typically spend the first 15-20 minutes of service in the sanctuary with their parents. The congregation sings them out to their classes after the Story for All Ages, which is directed towards the children but enjoyed by all. Families with children are occasionally asked to light the chalice as well.
The children participate in several ceremonial services throughout the year, carrying in the cornbread during the Thanksgiving service and the flowers for Flower Communion, as well as trick-or-treating for UNICEF on Halloween. A highlight of the year is the traditional Christmas Pageant in which the children present the Nativity Story, while high school youth read the script. There are other times during the year when a class or other group may present readings or information to the congregation (most recently on MLK Sundays and when Guest at your Table boxes are distributed).
We have intergenerational services several times a year for major events such as Ingathering and Christmas Eve. The Coming of Age class (generally 8th graders) present their Affirmation/Credo statements each year in a special service and the High School Youth Group prepares and presents a Youth Sunday Service every spring. In addition, older children and youth may perform musical numbers throughout the year.
Families also participate in a monthly Children's Chapel which takes the place of regular RE classes that week for children in preschool through 5th grade. In addition, we have a monthly intergenerational evening event called Fellowship Fridays, which includes a potluck and brief lay-led service designed to appeal to all ages. ERDE (Earth-based spirituality) services are also interactive and family friendly, and occur ~ 6 times/year, sometimes as part of Fellowship Friday.
7. Name and describe the traditional holiday services that are celebrated outside of Sunday morning: Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday. In the past we celebrated a Passover Seder.
8. Is the congregation a Welcoming Congregation, and if so, when did it achieve that status? First Unitarian became a certified Welcoming Congregation in 2012. We are hoping to pursue Five Practices of Welcome renewal (see question #28 for details).
9. Is the congregation certified as a Green Sanctuary congregation? First Unitarian was certified as a Green Sanctuary in 2012. Although we have not officially re- certified, we have maintained some of the key projects of the Green Sanctuary (see question #10 for details).
10. Describe other ways in which the congregation lives its values: Our congregation lives its values through a variety of social justice, environmental, and pastoral care programs and activities.
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Our Toward Justice group has led workshops, book discussions, and Sunday services on white supremacy/white privilege and racial justice. In addition, we have held witnessing events and served as a respite site for demonstrators. Several of our members have worked closely with community organizations such as Metropolitan Congregations United and Forward through Ferguson. This has led to work on larger national issues such as the School to Prison Pipeline. This year we canvassed for local and state ballot issues.
The Holy Ground Collaborative (HGC) consists of 7 congregations of various faiths in our Central West End (CWE) neighborhood. Its purpose is to promote community action and social justice issues in the CWE and near north St. Louis, which we consider our “Holy Ground.” HGC holds an annual collaborative concert and is currently engaged in a Micro-Lending Project, which raised $36,000, to provide no interest short-term loans of $500 to neighborhood residents in need. The volunteer trained ‘companions’ work with the loan applicants to assist them in setting up a budget to pay back the loan within 18 months.
In addition, as a HGC member congregation, we provide over 200 sandwiches for homeless persons every other Sunday, as well as cook and serve lunch at an open kitchen once a month. This open kitchen is primarily staffed by our youth, children, RE families, and young adults, and part of the program is to sit, eat, and find community with those served. We also sell free trade coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and chocolate bars every other week in Fellowship Hall.
Our designated collection program provides funds monthly to organizations nominated by our members and friends. First Church Community Fund, established in 1985, disburses funds each year to a variety of direct service and social action projects in our community. Our young adult's group collects school supplies, organizes an adopt-a-family every winter, and volunteers with various events.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Our Green Sanctuary team runs a vegetable garden that supplies several hundred pounds of fresh organic produce annually to a local food pantry. Over the past two years, we have also partnered with a community garden, neighborhood volunteers, and a reform synagogue all on our street. First Unitarian has a compost bin that provides soil enrichment for our garden. We have purchased reusable melamine dishes for our informal events, replaced our old (and leaky) windows, changed to LED lighting throughout the church, and taken other measures to reduce energy consumption.
We also have an Earth-based spirituality group (ERDE) which celebrates the Earth and its cycles.
PASTORAL CARE
Our robust Care and Concerns Committee communicates the names of those who are in distress and coordinates with the Young Adults Group, Knitting Ministry, and others to offer handmade tokens from the congregation. As a member of the Knitting Ministry put it, "A handmade item is the physical expression of the spiritual feeling of love.” Care and Concerns also coordinates homemade meal delivery, home and hospital visits, and helps with celebratory and memorial services. We have a strong covenant group program that creates spaces where people feel safe, heard, and cared for.
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP
The Partner Church Committee, founded in 1991, has built a strong relationship with our partner church in Csokfalva, Romania (in the region of Transylvania). In addition to promoting visits between the two congregations, we have provided financial assistance with room and board expenses to students from our partner congregation attending Unitarian high school, university, and seminary outside the village; supplemented our partner church minister's meager salary; and helped fund special projects such as building restoration.
11. Is the congregation an Honor Congregation to the UUA? Not currently. We were an Honor Congregation for 25 straight years, through fiscal year 2014-15.
12. List and describe lessons the congregation has learned about nurturing ministers and ministry. Include ways in which the congregation has had to take care of its ministers: Each minister (both interim and settled) has had an impact on the congregation, and we have learned lessons from each of them:
-- After a 27 year tenure of one minister, we learned that we needed to acknowledge and address his lingering influence in order to stop looking over our shoulder and turn toward our future as a church.
-- From a difficult beginning, we learned the importance of welcoming a new minister and bringing them into the life of the church.
-- From a difficult departure, we learned the importance of following governance policies, right relations, and ongoing feedback with the minister.
-- From others, we learned the importance of clear, respectful and open communication, institutional policy and capacity for handling conflict, and shared work. The minister, Policy Board, Church Council, staff and congregation are a team working to serve and support each other and the mission of the church.
Following are some of the ways we plan to nurture our minister and ministry:
-- Committee on Ministry: The Policy Board is reviewing plans to form a Committee on Ministry with our settled minister using the newer model that helps the congregation make sure that its ministries are serving its mission and vision.
-- Right Relations/Peace Building Team: We hope to re-institute some form of this team, with input and support from the Board, Council, Minister, and Committee on Ministry.
-- Executive Committee: In an effort to involve the minister more directly with setting agendas for Policy Board meetings, an Executive Committee was formed this past year consisting of the Policy Board President, Vice President, Church Council Chair, Administrator, and Minister.
-- Policy Board/Church Council ministerial evaluations: Evaluations are currently provided annually by the Policy Board and Church Council. During our Interim Minister period we have included feedback from the Transition Team as well.
-- Financial Support when needed: We maintain a reserve fund for minister sabbaticals.
13. How has the congregation evaluated its ministry and its history with ministers? The formal evaluation of our ministers has been conducted primarily by our Policy Board and Church Council with some feedback from the congregation on an annual basis. The Policy Board understands there is more work to be done in making this a more participatory and transparent process with the entire congregation. While we do not have a formal process to evaluate our history with ministers, we do keep a written historical record of the church and reflect on our history periodically, especially during interim periods through the work of Transition Teams.
14. Describe what cottage meetings and surveys tell you about the congregation. Include details that a prospective minister should know: Based on an extensive survey and a series of six focus groups, which collectively captured the views of more than 60% of our members and friends, we have developed a clear picture of who we are as a congregation. We are a caring, friendly, vibrant community of committed and dedicated members who give freely of their time and talents. We honor our rich history and traditions, while also increasingly looking toward the future and new ways to establish ourselves as a relevant and meaningful presence in the 21st century. We are diverse in many ways, and at times feel splintered or divided, but we are united in our values and our love for First Unitarian. Although we have challenges, we are hopeful about our future and eager to begin our next chapter as a congregation! For a detailed report of our survey and focus group findings, please visit https://tinyurl.com/FirstUSurvey
15. Describe the work that the minister(s) is expected to do on their own: -- Provide direction over all worship services whether or not the Minister is involved in planning or leading a given service.
-- Conduct rites of passage, including weddings, child dedications, memorial services, minister installations, etc.
-- Provide primary leadership and supervision of the staff team.
-- Attend the MidAmerica Ministers Association gatherings.
-- The Minister will be an ex officio member, without vote, of the Policy Board and is expected to bring to the attention of the Board matters significantly affecting the life, operation, and mission of the Congregation.
-- The Minister will be an ex officio member, without vote, of all committees, task forces, or teams except a Ministerial Search Committee. However, the Minister will be a voting member of the Church Council and will serve as Chair of the Program Cluster.
16. Describe the work that the congregation is expected to do on their own: -- Fiduciary (budget, accounting)
-- Stewardship (some building maintenance, fundraising, canvass)
-- Gardening, landscaping (other than lawn mowing, snow and leaf removal) -- Event planning and execution (Feasts and Festivals)
17. Describe the work of the congregation and minister(s) that is shared by both: The congregation and minister work collaboratively on programming, worship, membership engagement and outreach, music, pastoral care, religious education, leadership development, stewardship, and community outreach.
18. Describe the work of the congregation and minister(s) that is not neither shared by the two, nor is expected to be done on their own: -- Custodial services
-- Pianist/Organist
-- Lawn mowing, snow and leaf removal
-- Security (building and parking lot)
-- Music Director
-- RE Director
-- Church Administration, including bookkeeping
-- Media and PR (shared by paid staff and congregation)
-- Website design and development (shared by paid staff and congregation)
19. Describe at least one typical Sunday at the congregation, including a typical Sunday worship service: A typical Sunday at First Unitarian will find some members gathered in Fellowship Hall making sandwiches for the homeless from 9-10 AM, and others entering and conversing at the door, in the hallway, or upstairs outside the sanctuary. Many stop to drop off food items in our collection basket for the food pantry, school supplies in the fall, or gloves and mittens in December. Newcomers are greeted by a member of the Board and someone from the membership team. Children and their families arrive and are greeted by our RE staff, then make their way to their classroom, chapel, or the main sanctuary.
At 10 AM the service begins with the ringing of a bowl. Our main sanctuary echoes with the traditions of 18th century Protestantism. We have preserved the dark-wood pews, tall ceilings, organ, and stained-glass windows. Yet our services and music reflect both old and new. Our service format has been shaped by the Christian tradition, with hymns, readings, prayers, and usually a sermon. Services also include a moment to greet our neighbors in the pews, welcoming and announcements, chalice and candle lighting, Joys and Concerns, a Story for all Ages, singing the children to their classes, and spoken meditation followed by a moment of silence. The readings and sermon topics are not limited by the past or any one religion. In one service you may hear a reading from Buddhist scriptures, a children's story inspired by Native American traditions, contemporary poetry or essays, and teachings from the Jewish and Christian scriptures.
Music is an important part of our tradition, and the congregation includes many outstanding vocalists and musicians. The choir sings at least twice a month, and other Sundays feature guest musicians and/or musicians from the choir and congregation. There is a rich variety of music, from many traditions and time periods, including classical, gospel, folk, jazz, world music, and even music composed by our own members and other Unitarian Universalist composers.
Our usual service format is naturally altered on holidays and special Sundays. Special Sundays include: Ingathering/water communion, Flower Communion, Harvest Communion, Religious Education Sunday, Youth Sunday, Coming of Age Sunday, Music Sundays, Pride Sunday, Pageant Sunday, MLK Sunday, Partner Church Sunday, and often a Canvass kick-off Sunday.
Summer services and a couple of additional Sundays during the year are lay-led, with sermons preached and music performed by members of the congregation. This provides an opportunity for innovation in format and content. These services are often creative, thought-provoking and inspirational, and are well received by the congregation.
After service, people of all ages mix for an hour or so over coffee, tea, fruit, donuts and bagels in our large Fellowship Hall. Some groups, such as Young Adults, have a table at which they meet and plan activities. Various committees (e.g. Toward Justice, Social Responsibility) have information on tables along one wall of Fellowship Hall. The bookstore is adjacent to the eating and drinking space, as is the thrift store run by the Women's Alliance. Both are much loved and patronized by members, as is the nearby library. Every other Sunday, fair trade coffee, tea, and chocolate are available for sale in Fellowship Hall after the service.
Several times a year we have a special event after services, with brunch food, barbecue, or cake, depending on the occasion. Many groups and activities meet after services, generally starting around 11:30. These include covenant groups, committees, lectures, discussion groups, and knitting ministry, among others.
20. Describe religious education and exploration in the congregation for children, youth, and adults: Our congregation has a vibrant religious education (RE) program that serves children from preschool through high school, as well as adults of all ages. The mission of our religious education program is “to promote religious education as a lifelong creative process by fostering an atmosphere supporting spiritual exploration and ethical decision-making in which individuals are respected.” Brief descriptions of our programs are below. For more detailed information, please refer to our church website, http://firstuustlouis.org/learning/learning
CHILDREN
Infants and toddlers enjoy unstructured playtime in the nursery during services and move into our formal RE program at age three. Our preschool and early elementary classes draw on several hands-on, exploratory curricula that introduce children to the church community and UU values through stories, crafts, and games. Children in preschool through 5th grade also gather for a monthly Family Chapel service which explores seasonal and community themes. As children move into late elementary and middle school, they begin to focus on the stories of major world religions and the history of Unitarian Universalism. This culminates in the 8th grade "Coming of Age" class which pairs students with an adult mentor to explore their own personal beliefs. 8th graders present their affirmation statements in a special Sunday worship service and end the year with a trip to Boston. 7th and 8th graders also participate in the Our Whole Lives (OWL) sexuality education program. All classes spend time in our church gardens, connecting with the earth and reinforcing messages from the classroom.
YOUTH
High School youth meet each Sunday at 10 AM. The group is self-directed, and with the help of adult advisors plans programs that include: worship, education, social events, social action projects and the development of leadership skills. Discussion topics range from current events to situations in school and religious concerns. In addition, various curricula are used to guide discussion and activities. This group plans trips to various spots in the city and has several social events during the year. An important component of their programming is the Youth Sunday Service, an annual church service planned, prepared and presented by the youth. This is always an invigorating experience that is highly anticipated by the congregation. Another highlight of the youth group is getting together with other Youth Groups in our geographic area. Lasting friendships develop within the local youth group and in the wider youth community.
ADULTS
Previous ministers have held Adult RE classes on UU history and beliefs and Bible study, as well as discussions and explorations of personal creeds, consideration of different religious and spiritual practices, and ways to engage with the larger community from one’s own spiritual space. We have also had lay-led classes and discussions on a variety of environmental, spiritual, and political topics. During our interim period, our adult RE offerings have primarily come from internal groups and community collaborations. Toward Justice has held multiple book and movie discussions, as well as workshops on White Privilege/White Supremacy. They have also sponsored training from local community organizations, such as talks on juvenile justice, fair and impartial policing, gun violence, and an upcoming workshop on health equity. Welcoming Congregation has also offered a variety of workshops, most recently focused on gender identity and sexuality. In addition, the Young Adults Group recently co-sponsored a series of Young Adult OWL workshops in partnership with a neighboring congregation.
21. Describe how the congregation defines good preaching and worship: Our congregation values a sermon that combines intellectual stimulation with emotional impact, spiritual renewal, and inspiration. We appreciate when a minister includes some personal reflection or struggle, and a dash of humor. There are some members who put a priority on learned reflections and drawing from many sources, and others for whom the personal aspects are more important. Many survey respondents and focus group attendees expressed the desire for more innovation and diversity of form and content (sermon, readings, music) in our worship services. In our survey, 70-80% of respondents identified “sense of belonging/community,” “making sense of our place in the world,” “hearing, playing, or singing music,” “intellectual stimulation,” and “personal reflection and meditation” as extremely or very important reasons for attending worship. Other factors, such as “call to action for social justice,” “celebration of common values,” and “coffee hour” were important to more than half of respondents.
When asked “What makes for good preaching?” the top two responses were “intellectually stimulating” and “thought-provoking/informative.” Other frequent endorsements included “spiritual/moral issues,” “relates to current events,” “coherent structure of sermon,” “diverse topics/religious sources,” “inclusive/respectful of all,” “sense of connection/relating to the congregation” and “motivational/call to action.” Also appreciated is good delivery that is emotionally engaging, challenging, personal, inspiring, and includes a sense of humor.
22. What should a prospective minister know about the theologies of the congregation? Where is there inspiration, comfort, and conflict? Our congregation is a theologically diverse group of members and friends. On our survey, when asked to check all that apply, respondents endorsed that they are: Humanist (56%), Spiritual but not religious (36%), Agnostic (35%), Earth-centered (28%), Christian (25%), Atheist (19%), Theist (18%), Buddhist (18%), Jewish (5%), Hindu (2%), Muslim (1%), and Other (13%).
Some (8%) in our congregation identify as lifelong Unitarian Universalists, but many report a previous religious affiliation. Most notably, people shared that they were previously Protestant (56%), Catholic (22%), and Jewish (7%). Some expressed that their previous faith tradition is still an important part of their lives, while others had negative experiences that they wish to leave behind them. Thirteen percent of respondents stated that they had no previous affiliation.
When asked how they felt about calling a minister from different religious backgrounds, the congregation was largely open-minded. There was greatest support for a Humanist minister, consistent with over half of our congregation identifying as Humanist. Congregants were more divided about calling a Christian minister, with 31% stating they would be uncomfortable and 21% stating they would be happy (48% were neutral). Similarly, 25% indicated that they would be uncomfortable if we selected an atheist minister, whereas 23% stated that they would be happy with an atheist minister (51% were neutral). These numbers reflect the ongoing tension between congregants who appreciate a theistic approach and those who find discussion of God to be unhelpful. Finding a balance that is inclusive and comfortable for everyone will be an important challenge for our next minister regardless of their personal beliefs.
23. List and describe ways the congregation handles conflicted situations: We currently have no institutional process for handling conflict involving members, or between members and the minister. We previously had a Peace Building Team, which worked to develop Right Relations among congregants and to help resolve conflict situations. The minister has also been involved in resolving member conflicts at times. Conflict mediation and resolution is an area in which our congregation needs to grow, and the Policy Board and Church Council are well aware of this. Our plan is to work with a future Committee on Ministry, the minister, Policy Board and Church Council, to develop processes and capacity for addressing conflict. We have a Personnel Committee that supports the minister in their role with respect to staff, and could help to mediate any conflict there as well. 24. Describe the role of music and the arts in the life of the congregation: Music has played an important role throughout the history of our church. Our current music program relies on volunteers for the choir, with no paid section leaders as other choirs of our caliber have, yet our quality and reputation are known throughout the city. We have many trained musicians in the choir, including a few who compose regularly for the choir and church. Many members of the choir are involved in other musical pursuits around the St. Louis area as well.
The choir has given a major musical Sunday twice a year, usually around Christmas and in the spring, for as long as anyone can remember, and sings for both Christmas Eve candlelight services. The Dobson organ is among the finest in the city, and is an important part of our worship experience. On non-choir Sundays, there might be a jazz group (sometimes our homegrown church group), a blues band, symphony musicians in solo or small ensembles, or vocalists from church or the community. There have been dance groups or individual performers on occasion. Recently, members of the Youth Group performed in a rock band for an intergenerational service. Our church is blessed with a wide range of music talent that performs at special events as well as Sunday services.
We have artists in the congregation who have designed church banners that hang in the sanctuary to represent different seasons, and often have artists’ works of photography, painting, or pottery exhibited in Fellowship Hall. One of our talented members has created several beautiful stoles for ministers of this church. Several of our members are poets, and have recited for the congregation and for the growing number of open mic events. It is safe to say that music and the arts have added immensely to the joy and spiritual growth of the congregation.
25. Describe the governing structure of the congregation and how the minister is a part of this structure. Include how leaders are recruited for the congregation, and how new leaders emerge: -- The governing structure of the church is divided into two bodies, the Policy Board and Church Council.
-- The Policy Board is the policy making body of the Church. It is subject to the ultimate control of the Congregation and has the penultimate authority and responsibility for creating the conditions by which the Church can discern and live its Mission and achieve its Purposes.
-- The Church Council is the collective executive body of the Church and is responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of the Church to accomplish the Church’s Mission and Purposes under the supervision and direction of the Policy Board. It is organized around committee clusters that oversee the work of finance and facility stewardship, membership, and programmatic services for the Congregation.
-- The Lead Minister will be a non-voting ex-officio Member of the Board and the Chair of the Council Cluster responsible for Church programming.
-- The Lead Minister is in charge of supervising all hired staff and will retain and terminate all employees, in consultation with the Policy Board and Church Council. -- Policy Board and Church Council members are nominated by a Nomination Committee, independent of the Policy Board and Church Council, and are elected by the congregation at an annual meeting.
-- Leaders emerge through involvement with committee work, training, and skills brought to the church from the outside. Consideration for the formation of a Leadership Development Committee is being reviewed this year.
-- Further details on our governance structure can be found in our bylaws (see our website, http://firstuustlouis.org/first-church-online-forms/file-cabinet).
26. How does the work of the congregation happen? The work of the congregation happens through the collaborative efforts of the minister, staff, and volunteers, through committees, task forces, and work groups. We continue to maintain a strong culture of volunteering within the church community. Administration and direction of our RE and music programs are carried out by the staff. Overseeing the work of our mission is carried out by our Minister, Policy Board, and Church Council.
27. Describe some recent successful work of the congregation: -- A Policy Board decision to move ahead with a Settled Ministry Search was made in January 2018. Our Ministerial Search Committee was formed and approved at our Congregational Meeting in May.
-- An office improvement task force implemented new office procedures and guidelines, including financial and membership record keeping as well as upgrading our computer environment. Church-wide WiFi service was installed.
-- Through involvement with our neighborhood group, Holy Ground Collaborative, a micro- lending program was implemented to provide small no-interest short-term loans to those in need in the neighborhood.
-- The formation of a Transition Team, when our interim minister arrived, has helped provide direction on building upon our Long Range Planning process to identify areas requiring work. Conducting appreciative inquiry sessions and town hall meetings called “Fireside Chats” has helped create a space for our congregation to engage in critical dialogues over various church topics and the mission and vision of the church.
-- We completed the installation of a new Security Alarm System in our building.
-- Our Young Adults Group has grown dramatically in the past few years and hosts many creative, collaborative, and fun activities within the church and the wider community. These include a monthly young adult vespers service, an annual "Friendsgiving" potluck, the intergenerational Cardboard Play Day, and a variety of service projects such as a school supply drive and holiday gifts for a family in need. Young adults also serve on many church committees, teach in the RE program, and attended the UUA General Assembly for the first time as a group this past summer. -- Our Welcoming Congregation Committee has initiated a number of successful events. These have included gender identity workshops, an annual “Feel the Love” Coffee House gathering, and participation in the annual St. Louis Pride parade.
-- Our Ministerial Intern Program, now on hold through our transition period, has helped develop a number of aspiring ministers that have gone on to successful settled and interim ministerial positions in churches all over the country.
-- Our Canvass Campaign achieved 96% of our budget goal with an average pledge of $2,100, remaining well above the UUA average of $1,500. Our biannual auction event was held this fall and was considered a huge success raising over $21,000.
28. Describe the work within the congregation which is slow, stuck, or not attended to: Through our recent congregational survey and focus groups, we have identified a number of common themes that congregants feel are opportunities to improve and grow as a church. We look forward to continuing this work with our new settled minister.
FOCUS AND MISSION
Finding focus and a unified mission has been a topic of conversation for many years but is still a work in progress. In 2016, as part of the long-range planning process, we had a series of small group meetings geared toward finding a common social justice focus. The consensus emerging from these focus groups was that the areas of racial justice and housing/homelessness were most relevant, pressing, and connected to our church history. However, we currently continue to function as a large number of small interest groups working on individual projects. There is now a great desire to find a common purpose, as a way of bringing us together and at the same time improving our ability to do impactful work. However, there is, understandably, still reluctance among some to give up their particular area of interest. Though anxious for a shared, unifying mission, the congregation will take some guidance and facilitation in order to reach that goal.
MEMBERSHIP ENGAGEMENT, GROWTH, AND FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
Actively engaging more members in the life of the church is also an area of long-term conversation. There is a sense that a small number of people do much of the work and take on most of the leadership roles of the church, which has led to burnout and frustration. We have discussed ways to welcome new visitors and members into the life of the church, discovering their interests and connecting them with others who have shared interests or a corresponding need for volunteers, in a way that makes them feel valued and a part of the conversation. Continued effort needs to be made in this area.
Approximately 80% of our income is derived from member/friend pledges. Our congregation has a history of financial stewardship that has relied more heavily than is desirable on a small group of generous supporters, many of whom are among our senior members. While broadening our base of support remains a goal in our Canvass campaigns, membership growth will be important too. Growing our membership and maintaining financial sustainability have been identified among the leading goals to accomplish in the next 3-5 years. EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE
Effective utilization of our governance structure is another area in which we have struggled. Several years ago we transitioned from a pastoral to programmatic governance, which was never well understood by the congregation. We are now, per UUA guidelines, slightly smaller than programmatic governance size, and need to clarify our governance and make sure it is understood and utilized by the congregation. One of the things brought up in our fireside chats was that many people were unaware of who was on the Policy Board that they could talk to, that their committee was under a cluster of the Church Council, or how to get things done through proper channels.
IMPROVED COMMUNICATION
There is a recognized need to improve and modernize communications of the church. Despite regular newsletters and emails, internal communication still feels incomplete at times, and without an organized flow. Some are concerned that the same voices seem to dominate discussions and decisions, and that we need to make more of an effort to solicit and empower a greater variety of voices. Perhaps as a corollary, some feel there is a lack of transparency regarding decision making in the church. Improvement in internal communication could help strengthen connections between groups, between members and the Board, office staff and the congregation/lay leaders/minister, and between the minister and the congregation.
In addition, we could strengthen our outward-facing communications. A communications task force met last year and identified a new website as a priority. With donated funds available for technology related projects, we have an opportunity next year to redesign our website, with input from our new settled minister. Other practical improvements could include consideration of podcasting sermons, enhanced social media presence, and better availability of Policy Board and Church Council Minutes.
LONG RANGE PLANNING
Despite a long-range planning process several years ago, we have made slow and inconsistent progress in accomplishing all of our approved annual and long-range planning goals. With the departure of our settled minister, the focus of the Policy Board and Church Council was forced to be on more immediate short-term needs. Hopefully, work on the mission (see above) will lead naturally into greater focus on short and long-range planning. Communication will be key to fostering awareness and participation among members and friends of the congregation. For more details, see our website, http://firstuustlouis.org/online-forms-documents/long-range-plan .
ADULT EDUCATION
Adult education, once robust, has dwindled in recent years. Many congregants have expressed a desire for a more active lifelong Adult Education program. With a new settled minister and our new RE coordinator, we will now be in a position to move this forward.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE Re-instituting a Nominating Committee independent of the Board, for the purpose of nominating Policy Board and Church Council positions, has been identified as an important step in leadership development.
COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY
Implementing a Committee on Ministry will help institutionalize lines of communication and hold us all accountable to our mission and each other (see question #48 for details).
TRADITIONAL VS. CONTEMPORARY STYLE
Music and worship are areas in which our past and our future collide, and we are still learning how to manage that. We have historically been known for the professional quality of our choir, which primarily performs traditional, classical church music. Some efforts have been made to add diversity to our music offerings, but there remain members who would like to hear a still greater variety of contemporary and world music. Additionally, there are some who prefer that no one clap after the music, as they see it as disruptive to the sense of worship, while others enjoy showing their enthusiasm and appreciation by clapping at the end when they are moved to do so.
Similar style issues exist in the worship program. There are those that appreciate and expect a serious, scholarly sermon and program, presented in a more traditional, formal way. Others find the human aspect more important, with personal engagement and sharing from the minister, a dash of humor, and a more informal tone to parts of the service. These are not either/or choices. Most of us want both an intellectually stimulating service and a spiritually and personally moving one; some traditional hymns with organ and some more contemporary instrumental and vocal music with a variety of instruments. The vast majority of the congregation would happily agree in theory to this diversity, but may fear losing what is comfortable and makes them feel this church is their home. Open and respectful conversation, as well as some skillful facilitation, are needed in order to truly appreciate diversity and move forward without leaving cherished members behind.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Greater engagement with the community is a desire expressed by many in focus groups and survey responses. We have great potential for this. Since its beginning in the late 1830s, First Unitarian has been a leader in providing social services, advocating for justice, and building institutions in St. Louis. We chose to remain in the city in the mid-1900’s when many congregations fled to the suburbs. We are part of a collaborative of seven congregations of various denominations, all in the Central West End Neighborhood, one of which (Central Reform Congregation) formerly met in our building. Many of us find ways to provide volunteer help on an individual basis or in small groups. Yet we also recognize that we can be even more effective when we advocate and serve collectively as members of a church. There is much we could do to bring community members into our church and to partner with others in addressing the needs of those in the surrounding community. We aspire to once again play a leading role in the life of St. Louis.
BECOMING A TRULY WELCOMING CONGREGATION Though the congregation endorses the “inherent worth and dignity of every person,” and aspires to be truly welcoming, there is continued work to be done in achieving that goal, particularly in the realms of racial diversity, LGBTQ+ identities, and accessibility. Lack of diversity, accessibility, and inclusion was a top concern (expressed by over a quarter of respondents) in the open-ended survey question “What current church problems/issues concern you?”
As is true for most UU congregations, our membership is primarily white. Groups within the congregation have worked over the last few years to raise awareness of racism, through workshops on White Privilege/White Supremacy, sermons, and book and movie discussions. These were generally well received and moderately well attended. There is a sincere desire for our church to be a place of racial diversity, but we are still trying to figure out what it means to be a place in which people of color can find a spiritual home. Intentionally or not, visitors, members, and even staff have at times experienced hurtful comments and actions. This is an area in which continued work is needed.
Although our church has been a certified Welcoming Congregation since 2012 and has a significant LGBTQ+ population, we struggle to be truly welcoming of all members, friends, and visitors. The Welcoming Congregation Committee has offered educational workshops in sexuality and gender identities, an annual Pride worship service, and “Feel the Love Cafe” open mic night, as well as participating in the St. Louis Pride parade with neighboring congregations. Despite these shows of support and recognition, some LGBTQ+ identified congregants report experiencing varying degrees of erasure, dismissive behavior, and discrimination in their church life, including resistance to the creation of safe spaces. Recent efforts have pushed for a renewed commitment to respect and welcome LGBTQ+ members, friends, and visitors as their whole selves with proper names, pronouns, and safe spaces; adherence to the Five Practices of Welcome; and further connection to the St. Louis LGBTQ+ community.
While our church endeavors to be welcoming and supportive of people with disabilities and their families, our efforts to achieve UUA Accessibility and Inclusion Ministry (AIM) certification have been slow for a variety of reasons, including cost. Our sanctuary, built in 1917, presents both structural and financial challenges. Our elevators, providing wheelchair accessibility in most areas, are in need of upgrading or replacement. Some improvements were made after our last ADA accessibility review in 2012, including changes to outside door closures and designated accessible parking spaces in the parking lot. A new sanctuary sound system, installed in 2016, provides improved acoustics in the sanctuary as well as assisted listening devices. Other issues, such as olfactory sensitivities, still need to be addressed. Dietary restrictions and allergies are more widely acknowledged; many dishes to potluck events are labeled for various allergies. We hope to pursue AIM certification and become a more welcoming place for people of all abilities and needs.
As stated in a recent sermon written by our Young Adults Group, "We can't simply allow all voices, we must lift up those that have been silenced; we can't just accept all identities, but must protect those that are under attack. To be truly welcomed means to be afforded justice, equity, and compassion for your whole self, just as you are - and this is the ideal we must strive for, both within and beyond these walls."
29. How is money raised within the congregation? Money is raised through an annual Canvass, semiannual auctions, various fundraisers, service plate offertory collections, gifts/bequests, interest income, and building space rental.
30. Describe the more recent capital campaigns in the congregation: -- In 2014, a “Full Glass” campaign asking for $67,000 was undertaken to restore the lead glass windows in the Sanctuary, Eliot and Dodson Rooms. The restoration ensured preserving the heritage we have in our church building, conserving our energy resources, and providing a comfortable space for our worshiping community. The project was completed in 2016.
-- In 2005, a capital campaign was held, raising $38,000 to supplement budget expenses in order to provide foundation piering and address the Sanctuary Building structural issues that were discovered during the major renovations to the building in 2000.
-- In 2000, a large capital campaign of $2.5 million was undertaken to build the Hope Chapel and renovate the sanctuary and the kitchen in Fellowship Hall. $2.0 million was raised from pledges and the remainder funded by the endowment. There was a bridge loan taken out to cover cash needs during the construction period and pledges promised over a three year period.
31. What debt does the congregation have? We have no debt.
32. How does the congregation feel about its stewardship? Our congregation is very committed to taking care of each other and our church facility. We have a Grounds and Landscaping Committee that organizes regular gardening days for members to help with planting, weeding, trimming, and harvesting from our vegetable gardens. Our Facilities Committee oversees routine maintenance and repairs, often enlisting the help of members for projects such as the recent re-painting of RE classrooms. In addition to our annual Canvass, we hold regular fundraising events such as a Trivia Night, Partner Church Dinner, and Church Auction, which exceeded its fundraising goal this year. We have also had successful campaigns to fund specific projects such as restoring our historic leaded-glass windows. Many members give of their time and talent by serving on committees, teaching in the religious education program, and volunteering for church events and activities. While our decline in membership over the past decade has raised some financial concerns, our congregation is committed to ensuring a successful future for First Unitarian.
33. What role does the minister(s) have in stewardship? The minister has a very direct role in expressing and reinforcing church priorities and needs to the congregation, seeking to build a culture of financial support and volunteerism within the congregation.
34. List the ten largest pledges within the congregation: $26,400; $17,500; $15,000; $12,600; $10,000; $10,000; $8,800; $8,500; $8,250; $7,600 In aggregate this year, the ten largest pledges amount to $125,000 or 34% of our annual pledge amount.
35. What should a prospective minister know about the building and grounds for the congregation? We have a lovely old sanctuary with an adjoining wood-panelled minister’s study (the Hosmer Room). The minister also has an office in the administrative center off the church entryway, shared with the other staff offices. Classrooms are in the older part of the church as well as in a new wing. In addition to the main sanctuary, there is a newer light-filled chapel off a memorial courtyard. Our grounds are nicely landscaped, with gardens emphasizing native plants.
We have a solid and knowledgeable group that works closely with the church administrator to address building and grounds needs. We have been able to maintain the property successfully with limited funds, addressing major repairs as needed and ongoing maintenance through volunteer efforts, grant seeking, and part time maintenance staff. Long term capital needs such as new roofing and HVAC replacement may require additional fundraising in the future, as in previous successful campaigns such as our window restoration.
36. What is the condition of the buildings and grounds? Will there be a need for future funding in this area? The sanctuary building was constructed in 1917. It is in good repair structurally, although there will intermittently be a need for minor repairs and painting, etc. The building additions were added later (1950s and 1990s), and are in good structural condition also, with ongoing needs for minor repairs and painting, etc. New roofing will likely be a need in the next 3-5 years on the newer additions. The Sanctuary’s slate roof should be good for another 50 years.
Yes, there will be a need for future funding in this area. The facilities cluster is continually working with the Church Council and Policy Board to maintain visibility of short term and long term budgetary needs. The Council and Board have committed to building up a capital maintenance reserve in anticipation of larger capital expenditures that are bound to be needed over the coming years with such a significant property. A capital maintenance list and timeline have been created to help in identifying future costs and ages of current buildings and equipment.
37. What expectations does the congregation have for a minister(s) around pastoral care / spiritual guidance / counseling / home and hospital visitation? Per the ministerial contract, "The Minister will ... provide pastoral care services, including crisis intervention and visitation of the homebound, sick, dying, and bereaved, both directly and in conjunction with the Congregation’s pastoral care program. The Minister will maintain awareness of personal limitations and boundaries, and will refer members for professional counseling and other specialized services as appropriate." Our congregational survey asked respondents to indicate the importance of various priorities for the minister - "spiritual guidance", "personal counseling", "hospital calling", and "home visitation" were ranked 6th, 11th, 13th, and 17th out of 18 items.
38. What expectations does the congregation have for a minister(s) around children and adult religious education? According to our church by-laws, "The Lead Minister is the leader of the spiritual life of the Church and all of the Church’s worship activities and religious education activities." Our congregational survey asked respondents to indicate the importance of various priorities for the minister - "child/youth RE" and "adult RE" were ranked 12th and 15th respectively, out of 18 items. In the past, ministers have led adult workshops on a variety of theological and historical topics, but have had minimal involvement with younger congregants. Children have expressed a strong desire to feel more seen, appreciated, and engaged by the minister both during and outside of services.
39. What expectations does the congregation have for a minister(s) around community building / facilitation skills / coffee hour and social times? While not specifically addressed by the ministerial contract, there is a strong expectation that the minister will be an integral part of our church community and an active participant in church events. Our congregational survey asked respondents to indicate the importance of various priorities for the minister - "community building" was ranked 3rd out of 18 items. The importance of facilitation, coalition-building, and conflict resolution skills were mentioned elsewhere by many respondents, as was the desire for a warm and friendly minister who will engage with the congregation during coffee hour and other social times.
40. What expectations does the congregation have for a minister(s) around committee / task force work? Per the ministerial contract, "The Minister will be an ex officio member, without vote, of all committees, task forces, or teams except a Ministerial Search Committee formed following the announcement of the Minister’s retirement or departure. The Minister will confer, as needed, with each committee on how best to assist it. Attendance by the Minister at committee meetings is welcome, but not routinely expected." However, per our bylaws, the minister is a voting member on the Church Council and Chair of the Program Cluster, and acts in an advisory role on committee/task force work. Our congregational survey asked respondents to indicate the importance of various priorities for the minister - while "committee work" was ranked 18th out of 18 items, congregants did express a desire for the minister to be aware of the ongoing work led by various groups within the church and available for consultation as needed.
41. What expectations does the congregation have for a minister(s) around leadership development? While not specifically addressed by the ministerial contract, we recognize this is an area of needed growth for our church and hope the minister will be able to assist us with these efforts. Our congregational survey asked respondents to indicate the importance of various priorities for the minister - "leadership development" was ranked 10th out of 18 items.
42. What expectations does the congregation have for a minister(s) around membership and membership growth? While not specifically addressed by the ministerial contract, we are certainly hopeful that calling a new minister will contribute to membership growth. Our congregational survey asked respondents to indicate the importance of various priorities for the minister - "membership growth" was ranked 5th out of 18 items. 43. What expectations does the congregation have for a minister(s) around staff relations and supervision? Per the ministerial contract, "The Minister is Head-of-Staff and is expected to supervise the day- to-day performance of all staff members." Our congregational survey asked respondents to indicate the importance of various priorities for the minister - "staff relations" and “administration" were ranked 4th and 9th respectively, out of 18 items.
44. What expectations does the congregation have for a minister(s) around anti-oppression work / social justice / social action? Per the ministerial contract, "The Congregation and the Minister affirm our mutual commitment to address the systemic prejudices and biases found within all parts of society by, among other things, working to ensure that the Minister(s), all members of the Congregation and staff are trained to understand, welcome and better serve a multiracial, multiethnic, increasingly diverse community and enhance the ability of each individual to live our values of justice, equity, and interdependence." Our congregational survey asked respondents to indicate the importance of various priorities for the minister - "social action" was ranked 7th out of 18 items. Other survey questions revealed a strong desire by many congregants for the minister to support our anti- oppression work within the church community, as well as being a voice for social justice in the wider world.
45. What expectations does the congregation have for a minister(s) around interfaith / community work? Per the ministerial contract, "The Minister will serve in the community beyond the Congregation and will inform the Congregation of such action through periodic reports." Although this topic was not included in our congregational survey question that asked respondents to indicate the importance of various priorities for the minister, responses to other questions indicate a strong desire for the minister to be active in the greater St. Louis community. Our church is part of several interfaith organizations which provide ample opportunity for a minister to forge these connections.
46. What expectations does the congregation have for a minister(s) around denominational activities? Per the ministerial contract, the Minister will be relieved of all responsibilities on two extra Sundays per year "to participate in denominational activities including the UUA General Assembly, UUA regional meetings; collegial gatherings of ministers and other religious professionals including identity-based gatherings, UUA/UUMA committees, or continuing education." Our congregational survey asked respondents to indicate the importance of various priorities for the minister - "denominational activities" was ranked 16th out of 18 items.
47. What expectations does the congregation have for a minister(s) around other areas not addressed above? We have strong expectations around the minister’s role in leading worship services. Per the ministerial contract, “The Minister has authority over all worship services whether or not the Minister is involved in planning or leading a given service. ... The Minister will lead or co-lead worship a minimum of 32 Sundays each year as well as major religious holidays observed by the Congregation.” Our congregational survey asked respondents to indicate the importance of various priorities for the minister - "preaching" and “worship” were ranked 1st and 2nd out of 18 items.
48. Describe how trust is built between the congregation and the minister: Trust is built through open, clear communications between the minister, governance, and the congregation. From the minister, personal sharing from the pulpit, warmth, and approachability communicate that a minister is a person as well as a leader. Additional support can come from sermons that communicate guiding principles and values for leading a better life and being a healthy community, personal engagement, and concern for church members, and evidence of personal investment in the life of the church community. Collaboration on the work and mission of the church also builds trust.
As a congregation, being welcoming and curious, and reaching out to bring the minister into the life of the church can help build trust. Communicating clearly and directly, sharing a common mission, and collaborating on the work of the church deepen that trust. Clear delineation of responsibilities and authority, deep listening, assuming good intentions, willingness to give and take feedback, and healthy communication through conflict are important for all.
The Policy Board is reviewing plans to form a Committee on Ministry with our new settled minister. This committee would be the “keepers of the mission.” They would work with the minister, Policy Board, Church Council, and congregation in a facilitative and evaluative way to hold all accountable to our mission and to each other.
49. Why do people leave the congregation? Why do new visitors not return? We do not have a formal process for reaching out to our members and friends as they leave the church, or to visitors who do not return. Our Search Committee did make an effort to reach out to any friends and members who have left. From the information we were able to gather, it seems that members of the congregation have left for a variety of reasons including disagreement with church governance, dissatisfaction with a minister, issues of inclusion, or simply being too busy to attend. Others have left for personal reasons such as health issues or relocating to another city. Many of our members and friends travel across the Greater St. Louis region to attend, and some have ended up joining one of the other two UU congregations in the area.
50. List and describe any expectations there might be about a minister's family and personal life: While we did not specifically survey the congregation about expectations for a minister's family and personal life, our results suggest that we are generally open to ministers of many different backgrounds and identities (with one notable exception - 77% of congregants indicated they would be uncomfortable with a politically conservative minister). We are eager to welcome any family members of our new minister; in the past, partners and spouses have often gotten involved in congregational life, while children have enjoyed participating in our RE program. We seek to support a minister and their family in settling into the congregation, as well as into the St. Louis community. We hope that the minister and their family will enjoy a vibrant, meaningful personal life beyond the church. 51. Describe at least one mistake a minister could make that would seriously affect the ministry: According to our survey results, the biggest mistake a new minister could make would be to come in and start telling us what to do before getting to know us as a congregation - trying to operate unilaterally rather than collaboratively. A number of respondents also mentioned being arrogant, aloof, rude, or dishonest as major mistakes, as well as perpetuating conflict and divisions within the community by showing favoritism or not being inclusive of everyone. Some respondents expressed concerns related to preaching, such as focusing on a single religious tradition to the exclusion of others. Maintaining the status quo and keeping us stuck in the past, making assumptions about us, or ignoring issues such as finances and membership growth were also cited as potential mistakes. But as one respondent summarized, “The congregation is made up of people who want you to succeed, and are willing to help you learn and grow. If you make a mistake, they will forgive you if you own up to it and honestly work to fix it.” Another added, “Humor and humility will help us get through the mistakes we make in learning to work together.”
52. What questions would you have like to have been asked that are not included here?
About First Unitarian Church of St. Louis
Contact Methods
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (314) 361-0595
Website: http://www.firstuustlouis.org
Meeting Address Same as mailing address Mailing Address 5007 Waterman Blvd Saint Louis, MO 63108-1101
This Congregation has a 501(c)(3) status of its own
Congregation Life
Describe your Congregation and its culture: We are a midsize, urban church composed of both long-term members and those who are newer to the community. According to our recent survey, 38% have been members or friends for over 20 years while 28% have been at our church for less than 5 years. Many of us are strongly committed to the church and its programs, giving freely of our time and talents. While we are an aging congregation, with 62% of survey respondents age 60 or older, we have a steadily growing population of young adults and an exciting RE program for children and youth. Historically, we have been a relatively traditional, formal church, yet many people are voicing a desire for progress and change. Our self-exploration as a congregation over the past year has revealed that we are a wonderfully diverse group of people in our differing opinions, but also generally in agreement about our strengths and challenges as we move forward into a new ministry. As one member stated, we are looking forward to our new minister joining in this "exciting, exhausting, but rewarding journey ahead of us."
Your Congregation's mission:
We unite to provide a hospitable sanctuary, In this time and place, For seeking the sources of spiritual strength, Enabling people, in the church and in the world, To work for love, decency, tolerance, and justice.
Describe and provide examples of how your Congregation lives its values:
See question #10 in the Questionnaire Section.
Link to your Safe Congregation policy: http://http://firstuustlouis.org/first-church-online-forms/file-cabinet
Worship service schedule:
We have one weekly Sunday morning service from 10-11 AM, followed by coffee hour. We also have a collaborative, intergenerational, lay-led service called “Fellowship Fridays” on the third Friday evening of every month, with a potluck dinner at 6:15 PM followed by brief service at 7 PM. Children’s Chapel holds family services once a month at 10 AM, in place of regular RE classes. ERDE (our Earth-based spirituality group) often holds seasonal worship services on Sundays after church or in the evenings, for the solstices and equinoxes as well as some cross- quarter holidays. The Young Adults Group also holds their own evening vespers service on the last Friday of each month. Sunday worship continues during the summer at 10 AM, led by members of the congregation.
We do not have a dress code. Those attending services, RE, and other church events dress in a variety of ways, left to the individual and what they are comfortable with. Per our policy manual, the staff is expected to dress in “a clean, neat manner, in clothing that is suitable to their responsibilities.” Child care is provided at no cost during worship services and special events; see question #20 in Questionnaire Section for the description of RE programs. Summer RE consists of one multi-age class with a theme that weaves throughout the summer. Personnel
Name Position Paid Hours per Week Year Started Gary James Interim Minister 40 2016 Lynn Hunt Religious Educator 20 2001 Lynn Hunt Church Administrator 20 2018 Augustine Underwood Office Assistant 15 2014 Ben Rosensweig RE coordinator 20 2018 Mary Thompson Sunday Sexton 6 2012 Augustine Underwood nursery care 4 1990 Rhonda Buergler nursery care 4 1997 Earl Naylor organist 15 2014
Congregation History
Provide your Congregation's founding history:
The First Unitarian Church of St. Louis is the successor to the Church of the Messiah, organized in 1835, and the Church of the Unity, organized in 1868, which merged to form First Unitarian in 1938. Rev. William Greenleaf Eliot was the first minister in the succession of our Unitarian history. For additional information, see the timeline of important events below, and this UU World article about our history: https://www.uuworld.org/articles/st.-louis-first-unitarian- outpost-in-west
Date founded: 1/27/1938
Describe important events in your Congregation's history:
~ Our Beginnings 1835-1938 ~
1835: Rev. Dr. William Greenleaf Eliot founded the First Unitarian Church in St. Louis, organized as The First Congregational Society of St. Louis which later became the Church of the Messiah. During these early years William Greenleaf Eliot was instrumental in founding what would eventually become the St. Louis Public Schools, The Mission Free School (for underprivileged children), Washington University (originally named Eliot Seminary) and Mary Institute Country Day School (originally named Mary Institute, private school).
1852: The society moved to a new location and was incorporated as The Church of the Messiah. This church held 1,300 people. Poet T.S. Eliot, William Greenleaf Eliot’s grandson, attended this church school.
1868: A second Unitarian church, The Church of the Unity, was founded. Ministers included John Calvin Leonard, Frederick Lucian Hosmer, Edward Glenfawn Spencer, and George Rowland Dodson. 1886: Fifteen women from The Church of the Unity established the Southside Day Nursery, the first child care center west of the Mississippi. It is still in existence as the Southside Early Childhood Center.
1917: The Church of the Unity moved to our current site on Waterman Blvd., having survived, with considerable damage, a major tornado that year. Following the race riots of 1917, the church participated in the creation of the St. Louis Urban League to address defusing racial tensions, stabilizing communities, and improving the living conditions for African Americans in St. Louis. The League is still active today.
1931: Fun Fact - member Irma Rombauer, after testing recipes in the church’s kitchen, published “Joy of Cooking” which became an instant bestseller. It became the main reference book for many mid-century American cooks, selling over a million copies, and is still in print.
1938: The two churches merged to form The First Unitarian Church of St. Louis, and settled in our current location.
~ The Formative Years 1938-1974 ~
1938-1944: Rev. Lawrence Plank was the minister.
1945-1969: Rev. Thaddeus Clark was a minister until his retirement.
The congregation continued its tradition of community service from the Rev. Dr. Eliot years, participating in the development of institutions such as the St. Louis Art Museum and the Social Health Program. The Church continued to grow.
1959: First Unitarian assisted in the formation of Eliot Chapel, a second Unitarian church in the suburb of Kirkwood, as the city population expanded west.
1960: A new addition to our building was completed that houses office space and Religious Education rooms.
1970-1973: Rev. William DeWolfe served as minister. He left to become UUA District Executive. This was a period of heightened involvement in the social and racial unrest of our country. First Unitarian hosted a day-long meeting of Unitarian Universalists for Black and White Action discussing the question, “Racism is the number one problem How should Unitarian Universalist societies respond?”
~ Stability and Growth 1974-2001 ~
1974- 2001: Rev. Earl Holt III served as Minister.
During this period numerous capital campaigns were initiated to acquire adjacent property for a new parking lot, an organ, and a new chapel we named Hope Chapel. Initiatives were accomplished to help develop the New City School (a private school celebrating academic excellence and diversity), assist with the creation of our local Head Start Program, and to help organize the Central West End Players theatre group. 1975: The Clark Memorial Fund was established in memory of former Minister Rev. Thaddeus B. Clark, to provide at least one free public lecture by a major speaker each year.
1978: A Building Improvement Fund Campaign was launched in the fall, successfully raising $78,000, for an elevator and other accessibility improvements as well as new carpeting and other deferred maintenance.
1979: The inaugural Clark Memorial Lecture, featuring U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark, was held at Graham Chapel on the Washington University campus. Also that year the church agreed to sponsor a Vietnamese Refugee family.
1984: A new Jewish congregation called Central Reform Congregation met in our church space for the next 16 years, until they built a synagogue across the street in 2000.
1985: The church’s 150th anniversary was marked on January 27, with the placing of a time capsule in Eliot Hall. The David and Norma Lewis Fund was established through a major endowment gift from the Lewises, to provide support for a ministerial internship program. Gary James, the first Lewis Intern, served during the church year 1985-86.
1986: The Community Action Endowment Fund was established, with an initial gift of $20,000, income from which is used to provide grants to community groups. The Sanctuary mural “Hope” was restored, thanks to a $7,000 gift from the Women’s Alliance.
1993: Blueprint 2000, the church’s strategic planning document, was completed and introduced to the congregation.
~ The Challenging Years 2001-2012 ~
With the turn of the century, our church turned over too. Our senior minister for the past 27 years, Rev. Earl Holt, was called in 2001 to historic King’s Chapel in Boston as senior minister. Rev. Danny Reed, associate minister for several years, was called to the Unitarian Church of Norfolk, Virginia as a senior minister. Gabrielle Farrell, longtime religious education director followed her husband and his career to Washington D.C. Following these resignations, the challenges of a number of interim ministers, a troubled and conflicted period during a settled ministry, and a period of lay-led services, resulted in a time of transition for the congregation. Our membership dropped over this period.
2001-2003: Rev. Ruppert L. Lovely served as interim minister.
2003: Our first website went online. Our Social Responsibility Committee teamed with other Central West End religious institutions to form Holy Ground Collaborative, a consortium promoting community action and social justice issues. Rev. Earl Holt III was granted Emeritus status effective at the time of his retirement. (He retired in 2009.)
2004-2008: Rev. Suzanne Meyer served as minister. Her decision to resign and accept a call to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Cheyenne, WY followed a period of difficulty between her and portions of the congregation. 2004: A Committee on Mission was formed to help structure and guide the accomplishment of our mission and goals.
2009-2010: Rev. Sam Schaal served as interim minister. The Central Reform Congregation began renting space for their Saturday Hebrew School. The flaming chalice was finally introduced as part of the regular Sunday service.
2011: Rev. Marcia Marino served as interim minister for one year.
~ The Restorative Years 2012-2016 ~
Rev. Thomas Perchlik served as our minister during this period. This was a period of calming and healing as we looked toward the future, creating a Long Range Plan addressing goals to be accomplished over the next 10 years. This was also a period of improved financial stability and one spent working through a new governance structure designed to prepare us for an anticipated larger church membership.
2012: Our church was certified as a UUA Welcoming Congregation and a Green Sanctuary.
2014: The fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager in August by a white police officer in Ferguson, MO, a suburb of St. Louis, galvanized our church into heightened social action. We participated in protests, attended rallies, and held workshops. A committee, “Toward Justice,” was formed to address anti-racism. The committee continues to address this challenge.
2016: Rev. Perchlik resigned in the spring of 2016 to move closer to his growing family in the Pacific Northwest.
~ A Time of Transition 2016-2018 ~
2016: Rev. Gary James was called by the Policy Board to assume duties as interim minister for the next three years. A Transition Team was formed to assist our interim minister and conduct appreciative inquiry sessions and town hall meetings.
2018: A Ministerial Search Committee was approved by the Policy Board and Congregation in May.
Ministerial History
Start End Position Name Job Title 2016 Now Interim Gary James Interim Minister 2011 2016 Called Thomas Perchlik Minister 2010 2011 Interim Marcia Marino Interim Minister 2008 2010 Interim Samuel Schaal Interim Minister 2003 2008 Called Suzanne Meyer Minister 2001 2003 Interim Ruppert Lovely Interim Minister 1996 2001 Called Danny Reed Associate Minister 1974 2001 Called Earl Holt Minister 1970 1973 Called William DeWolfe Minister 1968 1969 Called Herbert Tyson Minister 1955 1956 Called John Fordon Minister Ministers Emeritus/a
Name Date Voted Emeritus/a Year Deceased Earl Holt 12/1/2009 Describe any important Lay Leaders:
We experienced a six month period with no minister after the departure of one settled minister in 2008. During this period, Rev. Jim Dougherty, who had previously served our congregation as an intern, filled in along with other lay-led leaders from the congregation. The Central Midwest District at the time stepped in to help fill our pulpit as needed.
Membership & Finances
The data for the table below comes directly from the UUA's annual congregational certification.
Total Pledge Total Operating Youth Avg. Year Membership Income Expenses Enrollment Attendance 2018 $383,026 $499,298 244 60 119 2017 $406,016 $526,218 275 85 106 2016 $461,301 $563,732 314 100 159 2015 $421,914 $604,153 328 120 182 2014 $420,269 $579,331 349 115 208 2013 $385,380 $574,200 333 112 190 2012 $393,117 $532,519 328 100 180 2011 $494,700 $531,119 310 113 153 2010 $414,799 $514,519 343 120 147 2009 $447,265 $570,269 341 120 150
Demographics
What percentage of members do you estimate identify as people of color? 1-4% What percentage of members do you estimate identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ)? 10-24%
Please describe the gender makeup of your congregation Our congregation is skewed toward more women than men, with several transgender, non- binary, and genderqueer individuals as well.
What number of staff (including full and part time) identify as people of color? 2
What number of people of color serve as leaders or chairs of your volunteer committees and program teams? 0
What number of your Board of Trustees identify as people of color? 0
What changes have you made in the last 3-5 years, if any, to include the racial and ethnic diversity of your congregational staff and volunteer leadership? In recent years, the Policy Board has intentionally made an effort to recruit minority voices for leadership positions. Our nominating and leadership development function has stagnated (for unrelated reasons), but one of the Policy Board’s primary goals for 2018-2019 is to re-establish a vibrant Nominating Committee that represents all corners of the congregation, and a leadership development program to identify and support leaders at all levels of the congregation. That work has begun, and we hope it will create a structure to support increasingly diverse leadership whose voices are valued.
Accessibility
Is your Congregation's meeting space wheelchair accessible? Yes
Wheelchair accessibility details:
See question #28 in the Questionnaire Section for details.
Does your Congregation provide assisted listening systems? Yes
Assisted listening system details:
See question #28 in the Questionnaire Section for details.
Describe other ways your congregation has dealt with accessibility:
See question #28 in the Questionnaire Section for details.
Resources & Programs
List the resources and programs your Congregation used or participated in during the past year:
-- UUA General Assembly and MidAmerica Regional Assembly attendance, including a Young Adult Ministry Project Grant that allowed 6 young adults to attend GA
-- UUA and MidAmerica Region resources including transition ministry webinar, leadership development webinar, stewardship/canvass webinar, and assessing our leadership material
-- Transitions material including Interim Ministry and Search Readiness
-- Partner Church Association planning for partner church trip
-- White Supremacy Teach-in materials from BLUU
-- RE materials including Tapestry of Faith children’s and youth curricula
-- Green Sanctuary materials
-- Welcoming Congregation materials including the most recent Five Practices of Welcome
-- Covenant Group resources from the Small Group Ministry website
-- MidAmerica Region on-site Governance Consultation
Describe your religious educational programs:
See question #20 in the Questionnaire Section.
Describe your youth and campus ministry programs:
Youth Ministry: See question #20 in the Questionnaire Section.
Campus Ministry: We do not currently have a campus ministry, though opportunities exist at several universities in the area. College students are welcome to join our Young Adults Group, which serves those in their 20’s and 30’s.
Surrounding Community
Describe the character of the surrounding community, including population and demographics: On behalf of our Search Committee, our church, and our neighborhood, we welcome you – come take a look at our church in the heart of St. Louis, Missouri! We have so much to offer, both as a place to call home and to connect with the wider community. St. Louis is a city of variety. Haven’t found the art museum that fits your interests? There are three others! Not enjoying the weather? Wait a day – it might snow or be bright and sunny!
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD
First Unitarian Church is located in the heart of St. Louis in the historic and diverse Central West End neighborhood. The Central West End is a thriving community of gracious older homes, with beautiful tree-lined streets, numerous shops offering antiques, an independent bookstore, art, clothing, jewelry, coffee shops and restaurants, including some of the area's finest. On our little fenced-in corner of Kingshighway and Waterman Blvd. is a green space for children to play, gardens to grow, and protesters to engage the public. Accessible by bus stop directly in front of the church and several major roadways, we proudly welcome members, visitors, and friends from all over. Every Sunday morning, a member of our Board waits, often with another greeter, to welcome all.
A few blocks to our south is Forest Park, one of the largest city parks in America, larger than Central Park in New York. Among its many amenities, Forest Park is home to free attractions such as the internationally recognized St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis Science Center and Planetarium, Missouri History Museum, and St. Louis Art Museum. There are miles of hiking and biking trails, several golf courses, tennis courts, and numerous athletic fields, interspersed with large areas of connected waterways for boating and fishing. The Muny Opera, a municipal summer theater, is a well-known and well-loved attraction that has brought generations of St. Louis families to brave the summer heat and humidity to see The Sound of Music, Oklahoma, The King and I, and other classic musicals. Forest Park is currently undergoing a multi-million-dollar renovation, funded by a combination of city funds and private contributions, to connect waterways within the park and add features such as rugby fields, soccer fields, concession and visitor stands, and bike racks. (Notably absent from the park are basketball hoops, a visual indication of the historic unwelcome toward brown residents and visitors.)
Five blocks to the north of our church is Delmar Blvd. Home to the Delmar Loop, a bustling avenue of restaurants, businesses, and nightlife frequented by college students, visitors, and others, Delmar is also one of the most famous physical dividers of our city. Highlighted in the BBC's 2012 documentary “The Delmar Divide” for its stark marking of racial, social, economic, and educational separation in the St. Louis area, Delmar’s east to west path cuts some of the richest from the poorest. Stemming from histories of racial covenants (ruled unconstitutional only in 1948) targeted eminent domain campaigns (common in St. Louis as recently as the mid- 2010s), and placement of public housing, Delmar Blvd. divides two drastically different areas. Crossing Delmar, the percentage of residents with a bachelor's degree drops from 70% to 10%, the median income from $50,000 to $18,000, and the median home value from $335,000 to $73,000. The racial makeup of the area also dramatically changes: nearly every neighborhood north of Delmar features a population of over 95% Black/African American residents. By contrast, the Central West End is home to a population that identifies as 73% white/Caucasian. With these statistics in mind, our church has a growing interest in reaching out and bringing our neighbors to our door. OUR CITY
St. Louis is often referred to as the easternmost western city, the westernmost eastern city, the northernmost southern city and the southernmost northern city, and this is reflected in our history and character. St. Louis was the jumping off point for most of the westward expansion in this country, first by wagon train and then by rail, a fact commemorated by our stunning Gateway Arch, the tallest national monument in the country.
Overall, St. Louis is a city of about 300,000 people. However, if the city could annex the surrounding contiguous communities in St Louis County, as other cities have, we would suddenly become the 7th largest city in the country with a population of 2.8 million. The city itself is demographically split nearly in half: according to the most recent census, 46.5% of the city identified as Black/African American, 43.9% identified as white, non-Hispanic, 3.4% identified as Asian, and 4.0% as Hispanic or Latino. Our city has over 17,000 veterans, and 6.3% of the city identifies as being born outside of the United States, a large portion of whom identify as Bosnian. (St. Louis holds one of the largest populations of Bosnian immigrants in the world.)
In addition to the Central West End, St. Louis has many distinctive neighborhoods, each with its own personality. Downtown St. Louis has undergone a rapid and vigorous revival over the last decade. Among other attractions, the City Museum must be seen to be believed: it is a one-of-a- kind exploratorium of recycled artifacts, space and creativity. The newly renovated riverfront Arch Grounds surround the Gateway Arch, providing green space for gatherings, events and just plain strolling. Inside is a shining new Museum of Westward Expansion, with many interactive exhibits. There is a buzz and excitement alive in the city, which is welcoming all to explore.
Many of our church's congregants come from all over the city, as well as the surrounding suburbs and across the river in Illinois, and each is more than happy to tell you about the place they call home!
LIVING IN ST. LOUIS
St. Louis is a growing incubator for talent, economic opportunity, and community. Many of the largest employers in the Midwest are based here, and many local businesses thrive as well. There are many excellent educational institutions in St.Louis, including some of the top public school districts in the state, as well as numerous private Catholic schools. Washington University in St. Louis (fondly called WashU) was founded in 1853 by local Unitarians, and Washington University Medical Center is one of the top 10 in the nation. St. Louis University is a top-rated Jesuit institution, which is celebrating its bicentennial anniversary this year. Nearby is Harris Stowe State University, one of two Historically Black Colleges/Universities in the state. The greater St. Louis area is also home to Webster University, the University of Missouri St. Louis, Ranken Technical College, and others.
St. Louis is also one of the most affordable cities of its size. Yet lower cost does not mean lower quality – St. Louis’s prized architecture and mixture of renovated historical edifices and towering new construction combine to offer housing for a range of budgets and styles. One can find exposed brick, stainless steel, or, in some places, both! We are also a remarkably green city, with many small neighborhood parks, and most streets tree-lined. The Missouri Botanical Garden, established in 1858, is rated in the top five worldwide. Noted for its research, it is also a beautiful place to smell the roses or stroll through the Japanese garden. We are not bothered by traffic gridlock in the metro area; most people can get to their destination in 15-25 minutes. Despite its relatively small size and ease of navigation, St. Louis offers many of the amenities of a larger city. Along with all of the free attractions in Forest Park, St. Louis also boasts several other art museums, an internationally renowned symphony orchestra, botanical gardens, opera company, several theaters and concert halls, jazz and comedy clubs, and much more.
Dining in St. Louis has become a gastronomic adventure. St. Louis has historically been known for its BBQ and local specialties such as toasted ravioli and gooey butter cake, but we have much more to offer. In addition to fine dining, we have neighborhood restaurants preparing innovative food from almost every country you can think of. We also have many vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free offerings, and a thriving farm-to-table movement, with fertile soil and a long growing season that allows local farmers to supply restaurants and farmers markets most of the year. St. Louis is also home to more than a dozen microbreweries, and many restaurants feature innovative cocktails and local wines.
For the sports fans, the St. Louis Blues hockey team and St. Louis Soccer Club stand strong, and, as any ride on the Metrolink will show you on game day, Cardinal Nation’s baseball spirit is alive and well! Feeling the energy of the crowd dressed in red as they come from the stadium, or in Forest Park after the annual hot air balloon race, our church is full of people who have come from other places but found something about this Gateway City that feels like home, and we invite you to let us show you too.
BEYOND THE CITY
Although we have an easily accessible airport, St. Louis is not just “fly-over country”! The area surrounding the city is full of hiking and biking trails with forests, hills, river bluffs, and prairies. For wildlife viewing, there is the Butterfly House, Endangered Wolf Center, Lone Elk Park, the Audubon Center at Riverlands, and eagle viewing along the river in winter. There are dozens of wineries within an hour of St. Louis. And, of course, there are the rivers, lined with quaint river towns, many of French origin. Katy Trail State Park, nearly 240 miles long, spans nearly the full width of Missouri and is the country’s longest continuous rail-trail, intersecting with rural farmland, scenic small towns, and centers of commerce and government on its route paralleling the Missouri River. Central and Southern Missouri are laced with crystal-clear spring fed rivers, wonderful for canoeing, kayaking, or tubing on hot summer days.
With such broad swathes of communities and experiences in the greater St. Louis area, combined with a low price of entry, St. Louis has become a bit of a magnet in recent years. If you’re interested in doing something or starting something, you can here!
MORE INFORMATION
We recommend visiting www.explorestlouis.com for further information about our area.
Describe how your Congregation is known/perceived by the larger community:
While we wish to become more visible in the community, our church is currently best known through our work with many faith-based organizations, such as our association with Central Reform Congregation, our Jewish neighbor across the street; Metropolitan Congregations United, a faith-based community organizing and leadership development organization; the Holy Ground Collaborative, our neighborhood consortium; and other Unitarian Universalist churches in the area.
We are also known for our social action work with various homeless shelters, as well as homeless outreach programs, grant funding and designated plate collections to a variety of direct service organizations and social action projects, and continued support of the South Side Early Childhood Center.
Community members beyond our congregation are invited to various events throughout the year, including book signings, Clark Lectures, music events, and an annual “UnFish Fry” dinner. Our PR work with radio announcements, flyers, and posters has helped attract visitors to these events and services.
Describe your Congregation's religious, political, and social context from a historical and current perspective.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY
The beginnings of our church under Rev. Dr. William Greenleaf Eliot were grounded in Unitarian Christianity which persisted until the merger of The Church of the Messiah and the Church of the Unity in 1937. Unity was a congregation with a more humanist and transcendental view of religion. The founders of the newly formed church, First Unitarian Church of St. Louis, “accepted the religion of Jesus, holding in accordance with his teachings that practical religion is summed up in love to God and love to man.” Rev. Laurence Plank, our first minister, a Deist, openly invoked God in his preaching and referred often to the teachings of Jesus.
Rev. Thaddeus Clark succeeded Rev. Plank and enjoyed a 24-year tenure, reflecting a much more humanist theology with a more scholarly approach to preaching. He was considered a driving force in the expansion of Unitarianism in St. Louis. The short three-year ministry of Rev. William DeWolfe was guided by a more philosophical approach to theology.
Our next minister, Rev. Earl Holt, enjoyed 27 years as pastor. He held a distinctly different perspective from the humanist views of Rev. Clark. Rev. Holt was a Deist, believed in prayer, and held that faith was a necessary component of religion. The Bible was an important part of his preaching. Our church enjoyed growing membership and the furthering of Unitarianism in St. Louis through the startup of a new church, Emerson Unitarian Universalist Chapel.
Upon Earl Holt’s move to King’s Chapel, and after two years of an interim minister, Rev. Suzanne Meyer was our next settled minister. She brought a new form of mixed Christian/humanism to our church. Her sermons often explored the meaning of God. Our next settled minister, following a period of two interim ministers, was Rev. Thomas Perchlik. Over the next five years, he brought a more humanist view with a Buddhist leaning to his preaching, emphasizing building the beloved community.
Our current transitional ministry with Rev. Gary James is guided by a more scholarly and intellectual approach in the pulpit. A new “Fellowship Friday” service for all ages has provided an opportunity for different groups in the church to explore their spiritual needs in new and different ways.
While our ministers have shaped the various religious discussions in our church, our congregational beliefs have also shifted over the years. In general, there has been a shift from theism to humanism and from Christianity to more diverse religious perspectives. A detailed breakdown of our present beliefs can be reviewed in question #22 in the Questionnaire Section.
POLITICAL HISTORY
Our church has always been predominantly liberal, with a strong civic-minded beginning under Rev. Dr. William Greenleaf Eliot. Our political involvement has centered around our social activism, grounded in our shared values and principles. These have included our early involvement with the formation of local organizations and institutions including the St. Louis Public Schools, the Mission Free School, St. Louis Urban league, Holy Ground Collaborative, and South Side Day Nursery. Our recent advocacy has included participation in the Women’s March, the March for Science, Pride Parade, and the many protests and movements associated with racism in St. Louis. Our connections to a number of socially and politically active nonprofits are primarily through donations, with some members and church groups also actively involved in volunteering with some of these organizations.
SOCIAL HISTORY
The fabric of our social history is bound in the threads of our many small groups and through the length of time many of our members and friends have been associated with our church. The Women’s Alliance is one of the oldest groups in our church. Partner Church, Knitting Ministry, the choir, and covenant groups have all been long-time places for people to come together. A new wave of gatherings including Young Adults, movie discussion groups, and LGBTQ+ groups have also fostered new social settings. While these groups have at times been referred to as silos, they provide the close connections so important to meeting the social needs of our congregation. And of course, we also come together as an entire community, for special church-wide events throughout the year as well as on Sunday mornings.