Choosing Our Next Congregational Focus

Choosing Our Next Congregational Focus

Every two years, FirstU chooses a Congregational Focus - an area of social responsibility that reflects our UU principles and our congregation's charitable purposes, to-which we collectively want to dedicate special, sustained attention. Sometimes we choose to focus on our chosen issue for longer.

In 2020, our congregation chose, overwhelmingly, to focus on Climate Action and the steps we could take, collectively and individually, to avert climate disaster and build a better future for everyone.

In 2023, we voted to focus on Creating Compassionate Community, by supporting the holistic wellbeing of marginalized people through putting our values - inclusivity, justice, diversity, and the inherent worth and dignity of all - into real action.

Photos provided by Members and Friends of FirstU. Music is "Blues Machine" by Scott Gratton, provided by the Free Music Archive.

It is now time for us to determine a new congregational social responsibility focus.

Steps to Choosing Our Next Congregational Focus

An invitation is extended to solicit applications for the next congregational focus through the e-UU and the Parkway Spire.
A review team from the Social Justice Action Network will assess the applications against the criteria and may, where necessary, encourage revision and/or seek additional information from proponents. The two or three top ranking applicants will be given the opportunity to present their topic to the congregation and be included on the ballot for choosing the next congregational focus.
A vote will be held at the 2023 Fall Congregational Meeting to select the new congregational focus. Where there are more than 2 applications, a ranked ballot may be used to select the finalist.

Criteria for selection

Reflects our UU principles and our charitable purposes.
Speaks to the collective passion of our congregation members.
Has a strong local component, seeks to address a local need and provides opportunities for hands-on involvement by congregants across all age groups.
Provides opportunities for congregants to learn about and deepen their understanding of the issues, the need and potential solutions.
Provides opportunities for engagement with community partners, potentially including our campus partners.
Process for selection

If you'd like to submit a proposal for our next Congregational Focus, please fill out the form below.

Congregatonal focus proposal form

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Name of Proposed Focus *

Contact Person for Proposed Focus *

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Identify at least six congregants who support the proposal

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Provide a short description or “elevator pitch” of no more than 150 words to inspire congregants to engage with your proposal. *

How does the proposed focus relate to our UU principles and also to our congregational interests and passions? *

What local actions are needed in this area? *

Opportunities for congregants to be involved in hands-on action. Please detail opportunities for engagement across all ages (i.e. Religious Exploration, youth, young adults, adults, seniors). *

Opportunities to engage campus and local partners. *

Education initiatives that could be undertaken to increase awareness and understanding (e.g. workshops, guest speakers, movies etc). *

Existing congregational events that could support the focus (e.g. worship service). *

How does the proposed focus support fostering a culture of openness, acceptance and diversity? *

Key outcomes that could be achieved over a two-year period. *

Click here to submit your proposal