“The religious community is essential,
for alone our vision is too narrow to see all that must be seen.”
Mark Morrison-Reed
Path to Membership
We are delighted that your spiritual journey has led you to explore Eliot Unitarian Chapel.
Whether you have joined us for Sunday worship or have children enrolled in our vibrant religious education program, we hope you are getting a sense of how Eliot can touch hearts, expand minds and change lives.
We invite you to consider taking the next step on your journey of exploration – to become a member of Eliot. Our Path to Membership is designed to facilitate your deeper understanding of our faith, provide you with an opportunity to know more about Eliot, and offer you a way to make a tangible commitment to this community and your own spiritual transformation.
What does it mean to be a member of Eliot Unitarian Chapel?
Joining Eliot is an unusual kind of membership. There are an abundance of good organizations we can join by doing little more than sending in a small donation. You may be a member of a homeowner’s association simply because of where you live. But to be a member of Eliot means a great deal more, and requires a great deal more.
You see, you really are not joining a church; you are joining the people of the church. This kind of membership is covenantal, that is, you are making a sacred promise to walk together. A familiar form of covenant is the marriage vow—two people promise to walk together for better or for worse. To join Eliot Unitarian Chapel is to make this sort of promise, not to only one person, but to the hundreds who gather here.
It is covenant that binds together a congregational church. As a member of the congregation, you will have the privilege and responsibility of:
- calling the senior minister
- electing the members of the Board of Trustees
- serving on the teams and task forces that do the ministry of Eliot
In short, as a member of Eliot Chapel, you become a part of the ministry of the church, working to heal a troubled world, grow your soul, and serve in many areas of human need.
How do I get started?
There are four steps to becoming an Eliot member:
- Attend the Introduction to Our Faith class. At this class, you will learn more about the rich and remarkable history of Unitarian Universalism. You will be introduced to the values that characterize our faith and how we strive to live them in a challenging world. You’ll also find out more about Eliot Unitarian Chapel – our history, mission and activities.
- Make a financial pledge. Members make an annual pledge of financial support to the church as a spiritual discipline. We ask members to give at least 5 percent of their income (If that seems like a stretch you are not ready to make, start at 2 or 3 percent and work up). Of course, we understand that members from time to time suffer financial setbacks. Your pledge can always be adjusted, and no minimum amount is required. What you give is ultimately between you and your conscience. Click here for a pledge card.
- Meet with one of the ministers. We would like to have a brief get-acquainted chat to know you better, as well as your hopes and dreams for your journey with us.
- Sign our membership book. Upon approval of your application for membership by the Board of Trustees, you will be invited to sign the membership book and will be welcomed during a brief ritual at a Sunday worship service. Your new ministry has begun!
What are the expectations of membership?
While our spiritual paths are unique, to build a healthy community of faith requires a level of commitment. Eliot members are urged to:
- Worship regularly with the congregation
- Join in the work and play of the congregation
- Participate in an Eliot covenant group for deeper spiritual growth
- Make a financial commitment
- Care for and support others in our community
- Perform service to the wider community
- Connect with our larger faith movement
