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Survey Results in Support of Fourth Universalist Ministerial Search 2025/2026 -Key Takeaways Karen Chamberlain, Congregational Survey Coordinator We sent the survey to 103 members, 12 staff (two are also members), 98 friends of the congregation (who regularly pledge or give to the Sunday plate), and 18 friends who are non-pledging or recent visitors. We had 84 respondents. Of those, 67 are members, 12 are friends, and 7 are staff. Just over one-third of respondents have attended for over ten years; over half have attended for over six years; and fully three-quarters have attended over three years. One-quarter have attended less than two years, and about 10% less than a year. Respondents feel most connected to the congregation through attending Sunday services (93%), social events (46%), special or holiday services (42%), Sunday service volunteering (41%), democracy justice work (41%), social justice activities (36%), governance work (32%), committee work (30%), their child’s participation in religious exploration program (23%), adult religious education (23%), choir/music ministry (21%), environmental justice activities (20%), age-based groups –youth group, young adults, Elder Spirits or other (20%), meditation/spirituality groups (18%), leading/volunteering with religious exploration for children and youth (18%), fundraising efforts (17%), white anti-racist groups (13%), and pagan/nature-based groups (13%). Those all had over ten responses. Other connections checked were pastoral care work (10%), book/craft/other special interest groups (10%), women’s groups –Moon Circle, Artivists, Red Tent, Takala (10%), musical events/activities (8%), employment by the congregation (8%), LGBTQ+ and allies groups (7%), BIPOC groups (6%), small group ministry (6%), dance/movement group (4%), men's groups (4%), and other identity based groups (2.5%). Also mentioned were these write-ins: Peace advocacy, research on our historic building, accessibility team, attending Pride march with 4th U, leading workshops on mental health care, 8th principal committee, and humanist meetings. The most important connection to the congregation (single response) was “Attending Sunday services” at 49.4%. There were 23 other single responses in colorful array below: From most to least responses, these were: My child’s participation in RE (6%); committee work (4.8%); democracy justice activities (4.8%); social justice activities (3.6%); age-based groups (3.6%); employment by the congregation (3.6%); choir (2.4%); social events (2.4%); Sunday service volunteering (2.4%); adult religious education (1.2%); special or holiday services (1.2%); meditation group (1.2%); leading/volunteering with RE for children and youth (1.2%). There were nine write-in single responses: Sunday service + justice activities are of equal importance to me; I attend here as I am impressed with Rev. Sam’s character and ministry –this is my first time not being disappointed by a UU minister (note respondent expressed being a long time UU who is new to this congregation); the variety of volunteer opportunities; attending Sunday services and coffee hour via Zoom; I am a long distance member participating via Zoom; the Zoom services are most important because I live in New Jersey and can only attend in person occasionally; communing with other people in any form; supporting my partner; belonging in our community based on love, hope and justice. Over three-quarters of respondents have volunteered at some point. Most have increased their volunteer hours and contributions recently, and less than a fifth have ever reduced their contributions and/or volunteer hours. This feels very positive. The following summary of travel times to the congregation is instructive –19.3% of respondents take less than 15 minutes, 27.7% take 15-30 minutes, 21.7% take 31-45 minutes, 22.9% take 46-60 minutes, and 8.4% take more than 60 minutes. Here is how people participate in services -58.5% exclusively in person, 22% sometimes in person and sometimes online, and 19.5% mainly or exclusively online. . I have heard some members and staff (and one former interim minister) express the opinion that online attendance reduces in-person attendance in a negative way, but I personally think this is a good mix, and that online participation is a huge plus for us. This is obviously the case for international, out-of-state, homebound, disabled, and seasonal attendees. But I believe many more of us feel better connected by having the choice of online attendance. If we actively discourage occasional users of the online experience from doing so, we do that at our peril as Zoom attendance would feel quite different if there were never some crossover with people who also attend regularly in person. Here are some testimonials about how important online Zoom attendance has been for members and friends: “In my younger days, I attended in person, but I haven't been able to do that in recent years. Living on the edge of [my borough], the commute time, and increasing mobility issues have piled up. Remote attendance isn't as satisfying, but it's so much easier!” “The services are greatand the congregation is very large. However, as a newcomer who initially attended in person services, I felt a bit ignored. Now I attend via Zoom on occasion.” “Bad health prevents in-person attendance. I do enjoy Zoom services and recently upgraded my computer’s speakers so I can hear better. I still participate in committee Zoom meetings.“ “I wish I could be more involved. Unfortunately, my increased health issues have made my involvement almost strictly virtual this year; the hour long trek from home is more than I can handle much of the time. I wish there were more ways for those of us that participate mostly virtually to be involved and volunteer.“ “I like the community we have created on Zoom, including twice monthly coffee hours after service.” These summary responses and testimonials suggest that our remote attendance is a tremendous strength of 4th U’s ministry. This is one of the ways our congregation was brilliant at changing and adapting during and after the Covid pandemic. On that very point, respondents gave us generally high marks on being open to change, adapting to change, and feeling "in the loop" on communications. See the next three tables below:Respondents gave us about an average "C" on being flexible to implement new ideas (it's a classic curve, with most respondents right in the middle, and about equal numbers agreeing and disagreeing):Respondents even gave us a solid "C+/B-" on growing our membership: I am not sure we deserve that last one. We are at present at about the same numbers of membership and friends as when I joined 23 years ago. Several members highlighted this issue to William Artis, a member of the search committee, during his direct interviews with members of the congregation; and several survey respondents mentioned in their extended comments their hope that the next minister would help us grow our membership; this has also been a theme in cottage meetings. We also received mostly positive high marks on the congregation caring about respondents' spiritual growth, personal well-being, and exploring personal spirituality. This was also a consistent theme of William's interviews, even when he did not directly ask about it –as we did here. A majority of respondents feel that our congregation cares about their spiritual growth and well-being, and has helped them explore their personal spirituality; 14-18% are neutral on these questions; and 10-15% do not feel the congregation cares about their personal spirituality. Next >