Our Mission and Vision
Mission Statement
Inspired by the wisdom of diverse religious traditions and our own history of ethical engagement, we strive to nurture spiritual growth, support and care for each other, and effect change through our love for the world.
Vision Statement
This Vision Statement was adopted at a Congregational Meeting on February 5th, 2012
Our Vision of The Community Church of Chapel Hill Unitarian Universalist for 2020
Growth and stewardship:
In 2020 we measure our success not only in terms of membership but also by influence and partnerships in the larger community. We have grown into a larger program-size church* with a commitment to nurturing the intimacy and depth of interactions that are the hallmarks of our shared spiritual lives. We support the growth of Unitarian Universalism both by welcoming new members and by working with the UUA to support a new congregation in Chatham County.
We have an enduring commitment to the fiscal health, accessibility, and sustainability of our church. We are good stewards of our buildings and the environment. Our growth is supported by increased ministerial and support staff where needed.
New initiatives:
Sacred Grounds
Our buildings and grounds project our welcoming spirit to the larger community and provide spaces that encourage spiritual, meditative, and educational growth.
Sanctuary for Dialogue
We are known in the community as a sanctuary for dialogue, where people with conflicting points of view can come together in an inclusive, safe, and respectful environment to discover common ground on difficult issues. We are able to hold difficult conversations in our own congregation, where conflict is embraced honestly, courageously, and productively.
Spiritual Leadership
We have a process that leads members to identify and develop their own callings and inspires their ministry to the church and the world.
Ministry Through Communication and Technology
We communicate effectively within and beyond our walls. We use inclusive and interactive technology that encourages involvement, commitment and spiritual growth.
Diversity and Welcoming
We are a welcoming, multigenerational and multicultural congregation. We initiate programs that grow our skills to increase and sustain the diversity of our church community. We embody an active and visible culture of intentional radical hospitality that stands on the side of love, and effectively welcomes and integrates new members.
Enhanced programs:
Worship
Transformative, inspiring and multicultural worship is enhanced with outside speakers and the presence of the visual arts, and made accessible to those unable to attend in person.
Music
Music is woven into the fabric of all aspects of our church's ministry, expressing the many facets of the human spirit, reflecting diverse cultural themes and our UU principles, and inspiring everyone, as both listeners and participants.
Lifespan Religious Education
Our Lifespan RE ministry serves all ages and includes multigenerational and multicultural programs. It builds Unitarian Universalist identity for young people and provides on-going long term programs for adults in a space sufficient to accommodate these thriving programs and foster learning and spiritual growth.
Social justice
We have a social justice ministry that includes members acting on a variety of issues as well as a church-wide focus on major issues identified by the congregation; it also includes collaborations with aligned groups beyond our walls and strong links to UUA social justice work.
Caring
The Caring Ministry fully involves church members in caring for our congregation and collaborates with groups within the church to provide need-specific support.
*The UUA and other agencies suggest that most UU churches fall into four general types: family, pastoral, program, and corporate. More information is here.
Process Overview:
The 12-month process to create the Vision Statement comprised these steps:
Inspired by the wisdom of diverse religious traditions and our own history of ethical engagement, we strive to nurture spiritual growth, support and care for each other, and effect change through our love for the world.
Vision Statement
This Vision Statement was adopted at a Congregational Meeting on February 5th, 2012
Our Vision of The Community Church of Chapel Hill Unitarian Universalist for 2020
Growth and stewardship:
In 2020 we measure our success not only in terms of membership but also by influence and partnerships in the larger community. We have grown into a larger program-size church* with a commitment to nurturing the intimacy and depth of interactions that are the hallmarks of our shared spiritual lives. We support the growth of Unitarian Universalism both by welcoming new members and by working with the UUA to support a new congregation in Chatham County.
We have an enduring commitment to the fiscal health, accessibility, and sustainability of our church. We are good stewards of our buildings and the environment. Our growth is supported by increased ministerial and support staff where needed.
New initiatives:
Sacred Grounds
Our buildings and grounds project our welcoming spirit to the larger community and provide spaces that encourage spiritual, meditative, and educational growth.
Sanctuary for Dialogue
We are known in the community as a sanctuary for dialogue, where people with conflicting points of view can come together in an inclusive, safe, and respectful environment to discover common ground on difficult issues. We are able to hold difficult conversations in our own congregation, where conflict is embraced honestly, courageously, and productively.
Spiritual Leadership
We have a process that leads members to identify and develop their own callings and inspires their ministry to the church and the world.
Ministry Through Communication and Technology
We communicate effectively within and beyond our walls. We use inclusive and interactive technology that encourages involvement, commitment and spiritual growth.
Diversity and Welcoming
We are a welcoming, multigenerational and multicultural congregation. We initiate programs that grow our skills to increase and sustain the diversity of our church community. We embody an active and visible culture of intentional radical hospitality that stands on the side of love, and effectively welcomes and integrates new members.
Enhanced programs:
Worship
Transformative, inspiring and multicultural worship is enhanced with outside speakers and the presence of the visual arts, and made accessible to those unable to attend in person.
Music
Music is woven into the fabric of all aspects of our church's ministry, expressing the many facets of the human spirit, reflecting diverse cultural themes and our UU principles, and inspiring everyone, as both listeners and participants.
Lifespan Religious Education
Our Lifespan RE ministry serves all ages and includes multigenerational and multicultural programs. It builds Unitarian Universalist identity for young people and provides on-going long term programs for adults in a space sufficient to accommodate these thriving programs and foster learning and spiritual growth.
Social justice
We have a social justice ministry that includes members acting on a variety of issues as well as a church-wide focus on major issues identified by the congregation; it also includes collaborations with aligned groups beyond our walls and strong links to UUA social justice work.
Caring
The Caring Ministry fully involves church members in caring for our congregation and collaborates with groups within the church to provide need-specific support.
*The UUA and other agencies suggest that most UU churches fall into four general types: family, pastoral, program, and corporate. More information is here.
Process Overview:
The 12-month process to create the Vision Statement comprised these steps:
- A search for an external consultant. A Request for Proposal was issued and responses were reviewed. Mark Molitor was selected.
- Two 6-hour workshops in Sept. and Oct. of 2011, designed and led by Mark (with input from a very dedicated steering committee). Over 75 attendees contributed.
- A detailed online survey, completed by over 100 members.
- Nine small working groups that wrote draft language for each component of the Vision (based on the output from the survey and the retreat).
- Numerous "Within These Walls," newsletter, and bulletin announcements, and multiple briefings to the church Board and other groups.
- Three Town Hall meetings in January 2012, to get comments on the draft Vision and refine the wording.
- The Vision Statement was adopted by congregational vote on Feb 5, 2012.