A conversation to explore our vision Led by the CUC Board of Trustees

 Overview agenda for the day:  Why are we having a visioning conversation? – 5 mins  Overview of process to date – 5 mins  Overview of definitions of mission & vision statements – 5 mins  Group visioning for our faith community – small group process – 50 mins  Feedback & summary – 20 mins  Conclusion – 5 mins 2

The CUC Board wants Canadian Unitarian Universalism to go boldly into the future  A vision of what could be  A vision of Canadian Unitarian Universalism, for all of us together as a faith community 3

 Role of CUC Board to engage in visioning  Inspired by Rev. Shawn Newton’s Confluence Lecture, & “The Church of Our Imagination,” a manifesto by young adult student ministers [play video]  Began a national conversation at 2013 Regional Fall Gatherings (“Backpacking Into the Future”)  November 2013 – brainstorming & visioning over 2 days  Included CUC Board, Staff, invited guests (representatives from ministers, young adults, religious educators, Unitarian Universalist Association)  Developed a set of proposed statements of intention to guide Canadian UUism 4

 In early 2014, Board sent out a Discussion Paper to congregations.  Based on feedback, modifications were made to the statements of intention – this is NOT the vision statements. These are statements which are proposed to guide the future of Canadian Uuism.  Here is a revised version: 5

 Theologically Alive:  Canadian Unitarian Universalism is theologically alive.  We gather regularly to worship, rooted in and inspired by our living tradition.  Spiritually Grounded :  Canadian Unitarian Universalism is spiritually grounded.  The Canadian Unitarian Council partners with the UU Ministers of Canada to inspire spiritual growth characterized by depth and maturity.  Embodying our Principles:  Canadian Unitarian Universalism challenges us to live our seven principles.  The CUC inspires action for justice.  Boldly Inclusive:  Canadian Unitarian Universalism is boldly inclusive.  CUC fosters hospitable, diverse, multi-generational communities.  Beyond Congregations:  Canadian Unitarian Universalism reaches beyond congregations.  The CUC builds bridges with UU individuals and groups who express their faith through diverse avenues (e.g., urban ministry, faith-based social enterprise and online communities).  Deeply Connected:  Canadian Unitarian Universalism is deeply connected.  The CUC keeps UUs engaged regionally and nationally.  Technologically Current:  Canadian Unitarian Universalism is technologically current.  The CUC uses technology to connect and engage UUs and encourage democracy.  Theologically Alive  Canadian UUism is theologically alive. We gather regularly to worship, rooted in & inspired by our living tradition.  Spiritually Grounded  Canadian UUism is spiritually grounded. Our spiritual growth is characterized by depth & maturity.  Embodying Our Principles  Canadian UUism challenges us to live our 7 principles and inspires action for justice.  Boldly Inclusive  Canadian UUism is boldly inclusive with hospitable, diverse, multi-generational communities.  Beyond Congregations  Canadian UUism reaches beyond congregations to include UU individuals & groups who express their faith through diverse avenues (eg urban ministry, faith-based social enterprise, online communities, etc.).  Deeply Connected  Canadian UUism is deeply connected and fosters relationships within UU communities, between UU communities, with the broader world and with all life. Canadian Unitarian Universalism is dynamic, transformative, and joyful. 6

 The Board also created a proposed mission statement that would direct the living out of the statements of intention:  The Canadian Unitarian Council supports Unitarian Universalist Communities in Canada. Together, we increase love and justice by nurturing spiritual growth, interdependence and social responsibility.  Slogan: Increasing love and justice 7

 Today’s workshop is next step of engagement  Final vision needs to be truly reflective of who we want to be as Canadian Unitarian Universalists; your input is needed!  Want to hear from:  Congregations & members  Ministers  Congregational leaders & staff  Religious Educators  Youth & young adults  Affiliate groups 8

 What is a mission statement?  A mission statement states what an organization is, defines the purpose of an organization & the reason for its existence. It answers 3 questions about an organization: WHAT it does; WHO it does it for; and HOW it does what it does  Ie: a mission statement describes what is wrong & how you intend to fix it. 9

 What is a vision statement?  Focuses on the potential inherent in an organization, the optimal desired state. It describes clearly the long term change that is desired. Ie: what the world looks like after you’re done fixing it. 10

Vision statementsMission statements  Habitat for Humanity  A world where everyone has a decent place to live  Oxfam  A just world without poverty  Alzheimer Society  A world without Alzheimer’s disease & other dementias  Habitat for Humanity  Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.  Oxfam  to build lasting solutions to poverty and injustice with a focus on improving the lives and promoting the rights of women and girls.  Alzheimer’s Society  identifies, develops and facilitates national priorities that enable its members to effectively alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, promotes research and leads the search for a cure 11

 As Canadian UUs, we are creating a future vision of our faith community together – a vision of what a future might look like transformed by our care and commitment.  We want your thoughts! We are ALL part of the Canadian UU faith community.  Let’s begin! 12

Small group process I: (10 mins)  Please split up into groups of 3.  Take 3 mins each to speak on:  What are your hopes for Canadian Unitarian Universalism in Canada? Where do you want us, as a faith community, to be in 5-10 years?  Rotate speaker, listener & notetaker.  After everyone has spoken, look for common themes, & notetaker writes these down.  Please write legibly! 13

Small group process II (30 mins)  Go back into large group  Count off to create small groups of 4  Decide on a timekeeper & notetaker 14

Look at the proposed statements for the future of Canadian UUism. Discuss:  Which phrases or words resonate with you? Write down these words or phrases for each person in your group.  What would you add?  What would you remove? 15

Look at your group’s notes on the 3-5 phrases that resonate:  Identify the words or phrases that occur most often – pick your top 3-5 & write these down.  Do the same with “what would you add?” & “what would you remove?” ie pick the top 3- 5 that occur most often & write them down. 16

 Take turns: Each group’s notetaker come up to the flip chart & write down your group’s 3-5 phrases that resonate.  IMPORTANT: DON’T repeat phrases that are similar; instead, put down beside each statement one checkmark for each time it occurs.  Write down any phrases that are different. 17

 Repeat the process for “What would you add?” & “what would you remove?”  Each group shares their top 3-5 of “what resonates?”  Collective top 3-5 from whole group 18

 Nov 2014 – Mar 2015: Workshops / dialogues held across the country  Mar 2015: Feedback gathered by end of Mar  Early Apr 2015: Task Force will work with feedback  Late Apr 2015: update sent out to congregations  May 2015: CUC Board brings update & recommendations for next steps to the Annual General Meeting on May 15, 2015 in Ottawa 19

Contact Your CUC Board of Trustees for are: BC REGION:Leslie Kemp & Kristina Stevens WESTERN REGION:Gary Groot & Roger Rochester CENTRAL REGION:Rev. Fiona Heath & Lorna Weigand EASTERN REGION:Glenda Butt & Jaime Dunton MINISTER OBSERVER: Rev. Carly Gaylor YOUTH OBSERVER: Elena Basford All Board members & Observers can be contacted at 20

The central task of the religious community is to unveil the bonds that bind each to all. There is a connectedness, a relationship discovered amid the particulars of our own lives and the lives of others. Once felt, it inspires us to act for justice. It is the church that assures us that we are not struggling for justice on our own, but as members of a larger community. The religious community is essential, for alone our vision is too narrow to see all that must be seen, and our strength too limited to do all that must be done. Together, our vision widens and our strength is renewed. Rev. Mark Morrison-Reed 21