Mount Vernon Unitarian Church Membership at MVUC

What Membership Means

We Unitarian Universalists come together as a religious community for the purpose of celebrating life, to examine the many issues that confront us personally and socially, to explore life’s deeper meanings in thought and action, and to give voice to those values that shape our faith and living. Our faith may be summarized as a life-long commitment to spiritual renewal, human freedom and social justice.

Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church (MVUC) is a congregational church. While ours is a member church of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA), and so can draw upon the experience and resources of the UUA, the UUA is not a governing body. We manage all of our own affairs, spiritual and material, at the congregational level, through the democratic process. This extends right through the selection and calling of a minister to our congregation.

What this means is that membership is an active role at Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, bringing yourself to this faith community as fully as your circumstances allow. Participation includes worship, attendance at church functions, volunteering at all levels of church operations, and the financial support of the church’s ministry.

Before Becoming a Member

Before you take the important step to become a member, we recommend that you visit MVUC several times, to meet us and become familiar with all that this church has to offer. When you visit, don’t hesitate to ask any of us about any aspect of church operations. We will be delighted to answer your questions. We also encourage you to meet with the Minister, a staff member, or a Board of Trustees member, if you would like to learn more about pastoral philosophy or church governance, for guidelines in the area of financial support of the church’s ministry, or just to get to know church leadership.

This website is a great place to learn about the many and varied programs you can participate in as an attendee, volunteer, or both. By the way, you do not have to be a member to participate in most activities at church, including most of the volunteer committees which keep the church functioning. If a particular course interests you, or you would like to contribute your time and talent to a particular function, just jump right in – we welcome your involvement! Introductory orientation seminars are conducted throughout the year. The UUA website, www.uua.org, is also a wonderful source of information about our faith.

Who can be a member of Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church?

Mount Vernon Unitarian Church (MVUC) is a non-creedal congregation, eager to put our teaching of love into practice. We welcome all who come with an open mind and an affectionate heart. Membership is open to those 15 years of age and older. 

How to become a member of MVUC

Once you have decided to join this church, the physical act of becoming a member is simply to sign the Membership Book, witnessed by the Minister or a Member of the Board of Trustees. Simple as the ceremony is, however, we know that to join a faith community is a profound step. From the moment you become a member here, we honor your declaration of commitment, we accept our congregational responsibility to continue to make the Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church the spiritual community which drew you to us in the first place, and we thank you for the gifts you bring to us -- your caring, your ideas, and your fellowship.

Last updated June 21, 2007 20:42