Our purpose for this orientation course is for you to...

Get to know one another

• Learn about our faith tradition and our way of being religious in congregational life
• Learn about this congregation
• Know how to get involved here at UUSS
• Meet our ministers and other leaders
• Get some of your questions answered
• Understand what membership in UUSS means and obtain information to help you decide if you would like to become a member of this congregation and make UUSS your spiritual community

Outline for the Course

Guests sign in, snack, and mingle at 8:45 AM

Welcome and Chalice Lighting at 9:00 AM

Brief Introductions and a Getting Acquainted Exercise

Our Unitarian Universalist Principles (Reading #594)

• An Association of Congregations
• A Tradition and Practice of Covenant
• Why Revisit the UU Principles?

UU Theologies and a Quick History

• Liberal Religion: The Revelation of Truth and Wisdom is Ongoing
• Universalist theology—God’s love; Unitarian theology—human worth
• How we got from there to here: 2,000 years in 25 minutes

Ways to Get Involved at UUSS

• Connection Central – Your One-Stop Source for Involvement
• Pathways, Blue Sheet Announcements, Unigram, www.uuss.org calendar

Questions for Theological Reflection & Listening in Small Groups

A Tour of the Campus and Highlights of UUSS History (1860s, 1960s and today!)

Homemade Lunch and a Conversation with our Lead Minister

The Meaning of Membership at UUSS and the Fine Print

• Budget and Organizational Chart
• Pledging Our Financial Support to the Mission and Programs of UUSS
• The Sunday New-member Welcome Ritual
• Important Pieces of Paper to Complete

Closing Remarks, Benediction and Extinguishing the Chalice

• Your Feedback Is Important – On-the-Spot Evaluation Forms
• Signing the Membership Book (anyone who feels ready to join)
• Taking Your Picture for the New Member Bulletin Board