A few years ago our church community participated in what we coined as “Café Conversations.” These conversations took place during our Sunday worship service as well as our social hour. We would sit at small tables in group of five or six people and discuss our answers to a given question. Our goal was to find out what draws us to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Medford. This allowed us see how our spiritual values could guide us to our future vision and mission. The consensus themes are summarized in this diagram:

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Medford is an inclusive community which recognizes and supports the worth and dignity of every human being. We welcome and celebrate the presence and participation of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. We are proud to be a Welcoming Congregation since 1996.

Congregations who publicly and successfully welcome bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender people have the following qualities:

1. Includes and address the needs of b/g/l/t persons at every level of congregational life-in worship, in programs, in social occasions, and in rites of passage-welcoming not only their presence, but the gifts and particularities of their lives as well.
2. Assumes the presence of b/g/l/t people and celebrates this diversity by having inclusive language and content in their worship.
3. Fully incorporates the experiences of b/g/l/t persons throughout all programs, including religious education.
4. Includes an affirmation and nondiscrimination clause in our by-laws and other official documents affecting all dimensions of congregational life, including membership, hiring practices, and the calling of religious professionals.
5. Engages in outreach into the b/g/l/t community in its advertising and by actively supporting b/g/l/t affirmative groups.
6. Offers congregational and ministerial support for union and memorial services for b/g/l/t persons, and for celebrations of family definitions.
7. Celebrates the lives of all people and welcomes same-sex couples, recognizing their committed relationships, and equally affirms displays of caring and affections without regard to sexual orientation.
8. Seeks to nurture ongoing dialogue between bisexual, gay, lesbian, transgender, and heterosexual persons and to create deeper trust and sharing.
9. Encourages the presence of a chapter of Interweave.
10. Affirms and celebrates b/g/l/t issues and history during the church year.
11. Attends to legislative developments and works to promote justice, freedom, and equality in the larger society.
12. Speaks out when the rights of bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender people are at stake.
13. Celebrates the lives of all people and their ways of expressing their love for each other.

Our church runs on the efforts of our volunteers. Who are they? You, the members of our community!

The UUCM Board of Trustees has often heard that even longstanding members are unclear where to find information about volunteer opportunities. There are, in fact, numerous opportunities to be involved in our community as a participant and as a volunteer. A generous assortment of opportunities for both is included below.

We have also created a Sunday Volunteer Coordinator – a rotating social hour point-person who will act as a clearing house for volunteer opportunities as well as an information station. You will recognize them by their Red Apron! Those who are interested in helping with the effort please feel free to email us at webinfo@uumedford.org at any time – including right now!

The Ministry on Stewardship is a spiritually minded committee comitted to helping the congregation pool its resources.

The Stewardship Committee serving for the 2009/10 fiscal year has received 25% more in pledges than in the banner year 2008/09. In a time of fiscal problems, when few churches have managed to come up to last year’s totals, we have had success. We credit this committee because they are a large group of well-informed enthusiastic persons who worked hard to bring the message of “the Three T’s”: Time, Treasure and Talent, to each church member and friend.

The Stewardship Committee will continue to be active for the entire year, working with fundraising, other projects and studies. The positive support we have received makes us hopeful for the future of our work here in Medford.

Anyone interested in joining the Ministry of Stewardship is welcome and urged to contact Mary Stevenson, Chairperson.

The Building and Grounds Committee’s aim is to maintain and beautify the UUCM properties.

Our committee conducts an ongoing effort towards making the interior of our buildings energy efficient, safe, comfortable and attractive. We also continue to make progress on landscaping the grounds. To accomplish these goals the B&G Committee needs the help of volunteers. Volunteering with us is fun and gratifying, even if just for and hour or two. It is also a great way to get to know other members and friends of the church.

Gifts to fund memorial plantings to honor loved ones are always welcome.

Every Tuesday during the church year at 7:00 p.m. we have a community event. Events have included meditation classes, singalongs, and presentations by church members on subjects of their choosing. We have also have featured outside speakers, including a candidates night during the 2008 political campaign.

Entrance to the events is through the back door of the church. All programs are followed by a cookies & tea social gathering. If you have any questions about these programs feel free to call Hank Driscoll at 781-393-1852.

Note: The final Tuesday event of this church season is on May 18.

The weekend retreat at the UU Conference Center at Ferry Beach in Saco, Maine happens every spring around Memorial Day. It is a chance for us to spend time together in community away from the church, enjoying the winds and waves of the ocean and the beauty of the Maine woods.

The weekend is mostly left unprogrammed so that people may pursue their own recreational activities, but there are a few planned events. Meals are provided by the Pangea catering company, the youth talent show on Saturday evening, a bonfire in the Grove Saturday night and a worship service in the Grove chapel on Sunday morning. We share this weekend with the Danvers UU church and have had much fun in getting to know them. Any questions regarding this weekend can be directed to Mark Koenig and Troy Liston who helped us get this annual event started.

On periodic Saturday nights members and friends of our community are invited to come to the church for games, refreshments and socializing. We have a good supply of board games at the church, and people also bring their own traditional or electronic favorites. Fun for kids of all ages!

Our first Game Night this fall season was on Friday, November 13th. Stay tuned for the announcement of our next Game Night.

Small groups of community members get together approximately once a month for dinners. It is a great way to get to know fellow church-goers better. New groupings are created once a year.

In a great tradition of our church, the men prepare a pancake breakfast and serve it to all comers before our Easter service. (They clean up afterwards, too!) Cost is $5/person, $7/couple or $10/family.

Another UUCM tradition is our potluck following the Thanksgiving and Harvest Communion service the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Those who joined us this year on November 22 had a great time. Mark down November 21, 2010 on your calender!