VISIONING FOR THE CANADIAN

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST

FAITH COMMUNITY

A conversation to explore our vision

Led by the CUC Board of Trustees

2014 - 2015

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TODAY’S WORKSHOP Overview agenda for the day: Why are we having a visioning

conversation? – 5 mins Overview of process to date – 5 mins Overview of definitions of mission &

vision statements – 5 mins Group visioning for our faith community

– small group process – 50 mins Feedback & summary – 20 mins Conclusion – 5 mins

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GOING BOLDLY INTO THE FUTURE

The CUC Board wants Canadian Unitarian Universalism to go boldly into the future

A vision of what could be A vision of Canadian Unitarian

Universalism, for all of us together as a faith community

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HOW IT STARTED Role of CUC Board to engage in visioning Inspired by Rev. Shawn Newton’s Confluence

Lecture, & “The Church of Our Imagination,” a manifesto by young adult student ministers [play video]

Began a national conversation at 2013 Regional Fall Gatherings (“Backpacking Into the Future”)

November 2013 – brainstorming & visioning over 2 days

Included CUC Board, Staff, invited guests (representatives from ministers, young adults, religious educators, Unitarian Universalist Association)

Developed a set of proposed statements of intention to guide Canadian UUism

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INITIAL CONSULTATIONS In early 2014, Board sent out a

Discussion Paper to congregations. Based on feedback, modifications were

made to the statements of intention – this is NOT the vision statements. These are statements which are proposed to guide the future of Canadian Uuism.

Here is a revised version:

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STATEMENTS OF INTENTION: PREVIOUS VERSION UPDATED VERSION

Theologically Alive: Canadian Unitarian Universalism is theologically

alive. We gather regularly to worship, rooted in and

inspired by our living tradition. Spiritually Grounded:

Canadian Unitarian Universalism is spiritually grounded.

The Canadian Unitarian Council partners with the UU Ministers of Canada to inspire spiritual growth characterized by depth and maturity.

Embodying our Principles: Canadian Unitarian Universalism challenges us to

live our seven principles. The CUC inspires action for justice.

Boldly Inclusive: Canadian Unitarian Universalism is boldly

inclusive. CUC fosters hospitable, diverse, multi-

generational communities. Beyond Congregations:

Canadian Unitarian Universalism reaches beyond congregations.

The CUC builds bridges with UU individuals and groups who express their faith through diverse avenues (e.g., urban ministry, faith-based social enterprise and online communities).

Deeply Connected: Canadian Unitarian Universalism is deeply connected. The CUC keeps UUs engaged regionally and

nationally. Technologically Current:

Canadian Unitarian Universalism is technologically current.

The CUC uses technology to connect and engage UUs and encourage democracy.

Theologically Alive Canadian UUism is theologically alive. We

gather regularly to worship, rooted in & inspired by our living tradition.

Spiritually Grounded Canadian UUism is spiritually grounded. Our

spiritual growth is characterized by depth & maturity.

Embodying Our Principles Canadian UUism challenges us to live our 7

principles and inspires action for justice.

Boldly InclusiveCanadian UUism is boldly inclusive with hospitable, diverse, multi-generational communities.

Beyond Congregations Canadian UUism reaches beyond

congregations to include UU individuals & groups who express their faith through diverse avenues (eg urban ministry, faith-based social enterprise, online communities, etc.).

Deeply Connected Canadian UUism is deeply connected and

fosters relationships within UU communities, between UU communities, with the broader world and with all life.

Canadian Unitarian Universalism is dynamic, transformative, and joyful.

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PROPOSED MISSION STATEMENT The Board also created a proposed

mission statement that would direct the living out of the statements of intention:

The Canadian Unitarian Council supports Unitarian Universalist Communities in Canada. Together, we increase love and justice by nurturing spiritual growth, interdependence and social responsibility.

Slogan: Increasing love and justice

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CONTINUING COLLABORATIVE CONSULTATION Today’s workshop is next step of

engagement Final vision needs to be truly reflective of

who we want to be as Canadian Unitarian Universalists; your input is needed!

Want to hear from: Congregations & members Ministers Congregational leaders & staff Religious Educators Youth & young adults Affiliate groups

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MISSION STATEMENTS

What is a mission statement? A mission statement states what an

organization is, defines the purpose of an organization & the reason for its existence. It answers 3 questions about an organization: WHAT it does;WHO it does it for; andHOW it does what it does

Ie: a mission statement describes what is wrong & how you intend to fix it.

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VISION STATEMENTS

What is a vision statement? Focuses on the potential inherent in an

organization, the optimal desired state. It describes clearly the long term change that is desired. Ie: what the world looks like after you’re done fixing it.

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EXAMPLES OF VISION & MISSION STATEMENTS

Vision statements Mission statements

Habitat for Humanity A world where

everyone has a decent place to live

Oxfam A just world without

poverty Alzheimer Society

A world without Alzheimer’s disease & other dementias

Habitat for Humanity Seeking to put God’s love into

action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.

Oxfam to build lasting solutions to

poverty and injustice with a focus on improving the lives and promoting the rights of women and girls.

Alzheimer’s Society identifies, develops and facilitates

national priorities that enable its members to effectively alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, promotes research and leads the search for a cure

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VISIONING FOR OUR FAITH COMMUNITY

As Canadian UUs, we are creating a future vision of our faith community together – a vision of what a future might look like transformed by our care and commitment.

We want your thoughts! We are ALL part of the Canadian UU faith community.

Let’s begin!

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VISIONING FOR OUR FAITH COMMUNITY – GROUP PROCESS

Small group process I: (10 mins) Please split up into groups of 3. Take 3 mins each to speak on:

What are your hopes for Canadian Unitarian Universalism in Canada?Where do you want us, as a faith community, to be in 5-10 years?

Rotate speaker, listener & notetaker. After everyone has spoken, look for common

themes, & notetaker writes these down. Please write legibly!

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VISIONING FOR OUR FAITH COMMUNITY – GROUP PROCESS

Small group process II (30 mins) Go back into large group Count off to create small groups of 4 Decide on a timekeeper & notetaker

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VISIONING FOR OUR FAITH COMMUNITY – GROUP PROCESS

Look at the proposed statements for the future of Canadian UUism. Discuss:

Which phrases or words resonate with you? Write down these words or phrases for each person in your group.

What would you add? What would you remove?

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VISIONING FOR OUR FAITH COMMUNITY – GROUP PROCESS

Look at your group’s notes on the 3-5 phrases that resonate:

Identify the words or phrases that occur most often – pick your top 3-5 & write these down.

Do the same with “what would you add?” & “what would you remove?” ie pick the top 3-5 that occur most often & write them down.

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SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS WITH THE GROUP Take turns: Each group’s notetaker come

up to the flip chart & write down your group’s 3-5 phrases that resonate.

IMPORTANT: DON’T repeat phrases that are similar; instead, put down beside each statement one checkmark for each time it occurs.

Write down any phrases that are different.

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SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS WITH THE GROUP Repeat the process for “What would you

add?” & “what would you remove?”

Each group shares their top 3-5 of “what resonates?”

Collective top 3-5 from whole group

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WHAT’S NEXT – PROPOSED TIMELINES Nov 2014 – Mar 2015: Workshops /

dialogues held across the country Mar 2015: Feedback gathered by end

of Mar Early Apr 2015: Task Force will work

with feedback Late Apr 2015: update sent out to

congregations May 2015: CUC Board brings update &

recommendations for next steps to the Annual General Meeting on May 15, 2015 in Ottawa

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QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?

Contact board@cuc.ca

Your CUC Board of Trustees for 2014-2015 are:

BC REGION: Leslie Kemp & Kristina Stevens

WESTERN REGION: Gary Groot & Roger Rochester

CENTRAL REGION:Rev. Fiona Heath & Lorna Weigand

EASTERN REGION: Glenda Butt & Jaime Dunton

MINISTER OBSERVER: Rev. Carly Gaylor

YOUTH OBSERVER: Elena Basford

All Board members & Observers can be contacted at firstname@cuc.ca

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THE TASK OF THE RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY

The central task of the religious community is to unveil the bonds that bind each to all. There is a connectedness, a relationship discovered amid the particulars of our own lives and the lives of others. Once felt, it inspires us to act for justice.

It is the church that assures us that we are not struggling for justice on our own, but as members of a larger community. The religious community is essential, for alone our vision is too narrow to see all that must be seen, and our strength too limited to do all that must be done. Together, our vision widens and our strength is renewed.

Rev. Mark Morrison-Reed