Comments on: Two comments on UUA certification numbers http://boyinthebands.com/archives/two-comments-on-uua-certification-numbers/ Scott Wells on the practice of Christian faith Sun, 07 Sep 2008 15:56:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Adam Eliot http://boyinthebands.com/archives/two-comments-on-uua-certification-numbers/#comment-6696 Adam Eliot Thu, 27 Jan 2005 15:22:33 +0000 http://www.universalistchurch.net/boyinthebands/archives/two-comments-on-uua-certification-numbers/#comment-6696 OK, I am feeling a bit better having gone to see the page where the churches are listed. It apears that they have given ABSOLUTELY NOTHING (financially, at least) to the UUA. I still agree with Scott, my mind is still cleft as well and for the same reasons. After all, should we not, at least, ask if there is another way for these churches to contribute? Are they not, by virtue of their very presence giving something to the movement? On the other hand, my church is also very close to the local UCC congregation (in fact, WE ARE the local UCC congregation) and we still send money to the UUA and the district. We do not give our "fair share" because we have been working incrementally to that point. However, it has been money well spent. We have recieved a huge amount of help from both the UUA and the UCC and they deserve our support for that. My initial concern came from a fear that the target number was the entry fee. Building to that number is a slow process... Also, it does seem strange to me to make this largely symbolic gesture. Eliot Church doesn't send delegates, yet we do pay something. How does disenfranchisement help? Anyway, I have a meeting and must go... OK, I am feeling a bit better having gone to see the page where the churches are listed. It apears that they have given ABSOLUTELY NOTHING (financially, at least) to the UUA. I still agree with Scott, my mind is still cleft as well and for the same reasons. After all, should we not, at least, ask if there is another way for these churches to contribute? Are they not, by virtue of their very presence giving something to the movement?

On the other hand, my church is also very close to the local UCC congregation (in fact, WE ARE the local UCC congregation) and we still send money to the UUA and the district. We do not give our “fair share” because we have been working incrementally to that point. However, it has been money well spent. We have recieved a huge amount of help from both the UUA and the UCC and they deserve our support for that. My initial concern came from a fear that the target number was the entry fee. Building to that number is a slow process…

Also, it does seem strange to me to make this largely symbolic gesture. Eliot Church doesn’t send delegates, yet we do pay something. How does disenfranchisement help?

Anyway, I have a meeting and must go…

]]> By: Derek Parker http://boyinthebands.com/archives/two-comments-on-uua-certification-numbers/#comment-6693 Derek Parker Thu, 27 Jan 2005 00:11:27 +0000 http://www.universalistchurch.net/boyinthebands/archives/two-comments-on-uua-certification-numbers/#comment-6693 - I've guest preached at All Souls Church in Bellville, OH. Its an old Universalist church that has had some revival in recent years (after nearly dying and being down to 8 adult members). They enjoy a close relationship with the 1st Congregational Church in Mansfield, which is quasi-Unitarian in its own way. My guess is that All Souls is not sending money because either... (1) As a small, rural church they feel they get insufficient services from the UUA to warrant paying over $50 per each of their 50+ members (this would be over $2,500). or (2) They aren't sending anyone to GA, and see no point in paying through the nose for the privelege. or (3) They are engaged in a major expenditure of capital, and feel they can not spare any money for the UUA and its poor services to rural churches. In other words, the dollars are better invested at home than in Boston. I'm not speaking for them. I'm just somebody who knows them, and is speaking about them. And folks from All Souls, please forgive me if I'm completely off base in my speculations. I do know from firsthand experience at other simmilar churches that many small, rural churches (especially of Universalist origin) feel resentfull about the high cost of their denominational neglect. So they protest the only way they can... With their money. -Derek
  • I’ve guest preached at All Souls Church in Bellville, OH. Its an old Universalist church that has had some revival in recent years (after nearly dying and being down to 8 adult members). They enjoy a close relationship with the 1st Congregational Church in Mansfield, which is quasi-Unitarian in its own way. My guess is that All Souls is not sending money because either…

    • (1) As a small, rural church they feel they get insufficient services from the UUA to warrant paying over $50 per each of their 50+ members (this would be over $2,500).

    or

    (2) They aren’t sending anyone to GA, and see no point in paying through the nose for the privelege.

    or

    (3) They are engaged in a major expenditure of capital, and feel they can not spare any money for the UUA and its poor services to rural churches. In other words, the dollars are better invested at home than in Boston.

    I’m not speaking for them. I’m just somebody who knows them, and is speaking about them. And folks from All Souls, please forgive me if I’m completely off base in my speculations. I do know from firsthand experience at other simmilar churches that many small, rural churches (especially of Universalist origin) feel resentfull about the high cost of their denominational neglect. So they protest the only way they can… With their money.

    -Derek

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