from Carol Bauer, Unity Two Team Leader
It seems like a long time since the stakeholders of Unity Church were asked to provide input to the Unity Tomorrow team on three different paths to growth for the next fifty years. You may recall that the three paths were 1) stay where we are and maximize our space, 2) move to another larger location or 3) stay where we are and move some of our church activities to a second site north of Unity Church. Ultimately, we decided to stay put, but there was clearly interest in the idea of a second site to facilitate community connections. Wisely, the stakeholders recognized that we do not need a physical space to do this work. In fact, we need to build the relationships first.

Throughout 2011, a small team of stakeholders has been working on this challenge. We call ourselves Unity Two—U2 “for short.” Our goal is to build relationships with our neighbors to the north with the idea that, eventually, we might want to do something wonderful together. What we do is simply this: we invite people in the community to meet with us to engage in deep conversation about their hopes and dreams. We listen to their stories, we find out what is exciting to them, and we look for common ground and ways that we might work together.

Over the summer, the U2 team has met with a dozen or so people from the neighborhoods to the north. We started with people we know and are gradually fanning out to meet more people that are less visible to the outside world, but known as leaders in their communities. The work is slow, but rewarding. We are humbled by how open people are to receiving us, how quickly they get to their truth. We’ve heard amazing stories and been invited and encouraged to be a part of their communities. We’ve learned that showing up matters, that we are welcome.

Where are we going? We don’t know. This is not that kind of project. For now, we are content to embrace our neighbors—people with whom we might not otherwise intersect—in a mutual desire for strengthened human connections and understanding. This fall, we are inviting others who may be interested in this work to join us. If you are inspired by the idea of radical hospitality beyond our walls, please contact any of the U2 team members listed at right.

The 2nd Site Team (Unity Two) will continue to explore partnerships with the Frogtown neighborhood and surrounding community. Funds for a 2nd site will not be part of the capital campaign.

“Seek to extend our community by reaching north.” This was number four on the list of recommendations the Unity Tomorrow team made to the Executive Committee in June 2010. Reaching north is part of Unity’s vision to “create a long-term development plan that embraces both improving and expanding the capacity of our current facility while also envisioning, defining, and financially preparing for expanded programming on an additional site."

In early November, a workgroup was formed to define what this means for Unity Church. For many, the opportunity to express our faith in the wider community is a fundamental personal commitment. At the same time, members of the group understand they are stewards of this work for the whole church, a community that holds diverse views on the expression of our outreach.

The group of fifteen quickly determined that questions of purpose and the reflection of our faith in community needed to come first, before any decision could be made about programming or site selection. In fact, the question of an actual, physical site remains open. Discernment began with questions such as:

• How do we ensure that our actions are aligned with the values, mission and end statements of our church – and our faith?
• What actions would be authentic to who we are now and open the way to future possibilities and spiritual growth?
• How do we make certain our decisions and actions are respectful of the new communities we seek to become engaged with?
• Why do we think we can and should do this work?
  

The group meets every other week. The focus of the first five meetings has been a discussion of our values and the partnership principles this work must embody. Agreements are beginning to emerge and be refined, and they include but are not limited to:

• This work is generated out of the congregational input through the Unity Tomorrow process.
• The drivers of that work—especially music, children and youth, environmental stewardship, and growth—should be key filters for the alignment of this work to the whole Unity Tomorrow campaign.
• Our partnerships must be guided by shared values and principles. This work is not about Unity having the answers for the community. It is about opportunities for spiritual engagement and collaborative purpose.
• We must listen – to the community and to the congregation.
• We must be prepared to bring our strengths to the community based upon what we hear in our listening. We must respect the strengths of the community and our partners.
• We must pursue financially sustainable initiatives that do not unduly impact the operational budget of the church.
• This will be a reflective and evolutionary process.

These agreements are beginning to shape all that can be possible. As conversations with prospective partners get underway, what we hear, see and learn will guide and influence our thoughts and actions. The work group will strive for balance between action and reflection and is committed to communicating with the congregation

Input and insights on the work of Unity Two are welcome and encouraged. E-mail unitytomorrow@unityunitarian.org or contact us via the online feedback form and ook for upcoming opportunities to learn more at second-Sunday information sessions. We look forward to further conversation with you!