First Parish Needham Unitarian Universalist

“The simulator focuses on how changes in global GDP, energy efficiency, technological innovation, and carbon price influence carbon emissions, global temperature, and other factors. It is designed to provide a synthesis of the best available science on climate solutions and put it at the fingertips of groups in policy workshops and roleplaying games. These experiences enable people to explore the long-term climate impacts of global policy and investment decisions. En-ROADS is being developed by Climate Interactive, Ventana Systems, Todd Fincannon, UML Climate Change Initiative, and MIT Sloan. Links and resources: Link to recording of the session The simulator focuses on how changes in global GDP, energy efficiency, technological innovation, and carbon price influence carbon emissions, global temperature, and other factors. It is designed to provide a synthesis of the best available science on climate solutions and put it at the fingertips of groups in policy workshops and roleplaying games. These experiences enable people to explore the long-term climate impacts of global policy and investment decisions. En-ROADS is being developed by Climate Interactive, Ventana Systems, Todd Fincannon, UML Climate Change Initiative, and MIT Sloan. Links and resources: Link to recording of the session The Thing that people don’t understand about me is… I have a broad and bold vision of the world. The kind of possibility of a world of fairy dust with dew-natural nectar on delicate moss. The kind of world most of us or at least many of us would like to live in with food growing in organic, Biodynamic yards with no fences. Roxbury apple trees and heirloom pears grow with which we make cider and pear crisp with candied ginger. White birch for medicine and pine needles for lung healing tea. The Thing that people don’t understand about me is… I have a broad and bold vision of the world. The kind of possibility of a world of fairy dust with dew-natural nectar on delicate moss. The kind of world most of us or at least many of us would like to live in with food growing in organic, Biodynamic yards with no fences. Roxbury apple trees and heirloom pears grow with which we make cider and pear crisp with candied ginger. White birch for medicine and pine needles for lung healing tea. When the congregation came together during the 2014-2015 congregational year to dream about who we wanted to be by the year 2020, we agreed on four strategic goals to carry us closer to our vision for ourselves and our wider community. We hoped to make social and environmental justice more central to our identity; solidify our financial foundation; grow our multigenerational programming and connections; and, grow our congregational membership.   We are now going into our third year of a major innovation designed to create more seating in the sanctuary and a welcoming alternative service environment: the Worship Café. Not only does the Worship Café have regular attendees who prefer experiencing the service in the Parish Hall, but the technology required to livestream our Sunday service has also allowed us to share the service with members who live out of town or who are homebound. All of this helps us “make room” for more members and keep our current members and friends connected to First Parish. Congregations that are growing have a strong sense of mission and purpose (for us, stated in our congregational covenant of love, diversity, and service); they bring joy and deep friendship into the lives of their parishioners, in contrast to the isolating and individualistic dominant culture of our nation; they are willing to try new initiatives and practices, but aren’t enticed by just any new innovation; they act out their professed values in the wider world; and, they create an exciting “buzz” in their surrounding communities through the loving attitude of their members and their positive actions as a church body.   Above all, growing congregations are invitational and welcoming. People are much more likely to visit a congregation if a friend or family member has invited them to attend, either by sharing an upcoming service or event on social media or by personal invitation: “I really love my congregation and the values we share, and I think you would too.” And, a visitor’s first visit to the congregation is crucial: if you see someone you don’t know as people are coming into the service or are entering social hour (especially if that person is holding a red mug!), approach them and ask, “Have we met before?” Perhaps you have bumped into each other at a Needham community event, or months ago at their first visit to First Parish — “have we met before?” When the congregation came together during the 2014-2015 congregational year to dream about who we wanted to be by the year 2020, we agreed on four strategic goals to carry us closer to our vision for ourselves and our wider community. We hoped to make social and environmental justice more central to our identity; solidify our financial foundation; grow our multigenerational programming and connections; and, grow our congregational membership.   We are now going into our third year of a major innovation designed to create more seating in the sanctuary and a welcoming alternative service environment: the Worship Café. Not only does the Worship Café have regular attendees who prefer experiencing the service in the Parish Hall, but the technology required to livestream our Sunday service has also allowed us to share the service with members who live out of town or who are homebound. All of this helps us “make room” for more members and keep our current members and friends connected to First Parish. Congregations that are growing have a strong sense of mission and purpose (for us, stated in our congregational covenant of love, diversity, and service); they bring joy and deep friendship into the lives of their parishioners, in contrast to the isolating and individualistic dominant culture of our nation; they are willing to try new initiatives and practices, but aren’t enticed by just any new innovation; they act out their professed values in the wider world; and, they create an exciting “buzz” in their surrounding communities through the loving attitude of their members and their positive actions as a church body.   Above all, growing congregations are invitational and welcoming. People are much more likely to visit a congregation if a friend or family member has invited them to attend, either by sharing an upcoming service or event on social media or by personal invitation: “I really love my congregation and the values we share, and I think you would too.” And, a visitor’s first visit to the congregation is crucial: if you see someone you don’t know as people are coming into the service or are entering social hour (especially if that person is holding a red mug!), approach them and ask, “Have we met before?” Perhaps you have bumped into each other at a Needham community event, or months ago at their first visit to First Parish — “have we met before?” Inspired by the interim process, the RE Committee and other leaders began the task of visioning for our future.  Kate FitzGerald did some research and found that the most vibrant religious communities offered genuine and relevant “lifespan” programming that met the unique needs of each age group, beginning with families with infants.    Roberta’s general research (in UU and other religious trends) combines with Kate’s to suggest that the biggest difference is that these highly populated religious centers are providing many helpful and enriching services to their families.  In contrast, many smaller communities (like First Parish) invite families to provide a service to each other.   A good example of this is the “parents as teachers” model, which is well intentioned but causes volunteer burnout, as we’ve seen first-hand in our RE program.”

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