Reports & Articles
Considering Membership?
Welcome to the New Membership Journey!
from Cathy Lilly
The Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence is a congregation of approximately 300 members.
Every year, some people join us in membership and some move away, or die, or decide to leave. Even
though the individual people change over time, we have been here as a congregation since 1825. We
are organized under a form of governance called congregational polity, which dates back to the Puritans! Congregational polity means that the congregation, as a whole, owns the building, calls the minister, runs the programs and ministries of the Society and is responsible for making sure that it continues into the future. Our Society is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association, an umbrella
organization to which nearly all UU churches, fellowships and societies belong.
Congregational polity means that becoming a member here represents a commitment to the congregation. For most of us it is a commitment that feels right, and that deepens over time. If you have been
coming to services, and participating in some of our events and programs, if the principles and purposes
of Unitarian Universalism speak to you, or if you have been a member of a UU congregation elsewhere, you may thinking about membership.
Membership in this Society is open to anyone who indicates a willingness to support it and subscribe to
its purposes, who has participated in an appropriate program of orientation, and who expresses a desire
to join. Members (and most friends) make annual commitments of financial support, called “pledges.”
These commitments are our major source of funding, money we need in order to compensate the minister and staff, keep our building in good repair, and support our programs.
If you are considering membership in the Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence, you are
ready to take five easy steps.
Step 1: Let Cathy Lilly, our Membership Journey Coordinator, know that you are ready to begin to
explore the possibility of membership in this Society.
Step 2: Cathy will give you some literature to read, a list of online videos, and other online resources
to help you learn more about us and about Unitarian Universalism.
Step 3: At your own pace, you can look into these resources and decide whether or not you are ready
to move to step 4. Feel free to call or email Cathy if you have questions or want even more information. Janet is also happy to speak with you and answer any questions.
Step 4: When you are ready, call Cathy and she will arrange a face-to-face meeting with herself or with
Janet, at a time convenient to you. At this meeting, or shortly thereafter, you will sign the Membership
Book. If you have not yet made an annual financial commitment, you’ll be asked to make a pledge for
the current year, and to provide current directory information.
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