Membershipin the Unitarian Universalist Congregation is open to any person 16 years of age or older who affirms his or her agreement with the principles of Unitarian Universalism. Members of the Congregation are entitled to vote in elections, and receive the UUWorld magazine, a bi-monthly publication of the Unitarian Universalist Association. The Congregation pays membership dues to the UUA and to the Mid-South Distict for each of its members.
The Membership Committee maintains a database of members, friends and visitors
and publishes a directory at regular intervals. Information in the
database is used for church-related business only and is never distributed
to outside entities.
Use
this form to add to or update your information in the database.
Membership is accomplished simply by signing the membership book. In accordance with the tenets of Unitarian Universalism, membership does not require the profession of any creed or belief. An informational session, the UUPreview, is held several times during the year. Prospective members are encouraged to attend the UUPreview before joining.
The Congregation is fortunate to have the support of persons who attend and participate in Congregational activities, but who choose to not join as members. These persons are referred to as Friends of the Congregation.
Members and friends are expected to support the Congregation in two ways:
(1) Financial support. Financial contribution to the Congregation is expected, in an amount that each member or friend decides based on her or his financial situation. Persons are encouraged to make a formal pledge of their intent to contribute, since this provides the most reliable information to the leadership in planning a budget. The Stewardship season and the budgeting process occurs during the spring for the succeeding fiscal year (May 1 through April 30), although pledges for partial years are welcome at any time.
(2) Service. The Congregation is governed by committees and an elected Board of Trustees. See the
Leadership page for more information. Members and friends are encouraged to serve on committees or to take advantage of other opportunities for service. Committee participation is by “self-appointment”, that is, persons volunteer for committees based on interest. Only members of the Congregation may serve as committee chairs or on the Board of Trustees
What it means to be a member or friend of UUCT
Service to the community
Members and friends find opportunities for service to the community in the form of Social Action activities, which put liberal faith into action. UUCT volunteers deliver a regular Meals on Wheels route every Tuesday, with each of four or five volunteers driving the route once a month (11:00am; takes less than an hour). The Congregation is a member of Caring Congregations, an umbrella organization that supports Caring Days Adult Day Care Center. UUCT members have also supported Aid to Inmate Mothers (driving children to visits with incarcerated mothers), have built homes for Habitat for Humanity, have adopted Turning Point families at Christmas, and have participated in other activities. UUCT supports other worthy local charities through a monthly Split-the-Plate collection. A delegation of members and friends marches every year in the Martin Luther King parade. The Congregation and its members have been active in pointing out the discriminatory and racist intent of HB 56, Alabama's anti-immigrant legislation, and have actively supported Somos Tuscaloosa in its efforts to overturn this legislation. Contact the Social Action chair to volunteer or to suggest worthy activities for support.
Social events
UUCT members and friends participate in a variety of social activities. While these change from year to year, common recurring events include:
Moundville Campout. An intergenerational celebration at Moundville Archeological Park: dinner, trick or treating, marshmallows roasted over the campfire, and camping. Typically the Saturday before Halloween.
Dance parties during the year, including a Halloween party, BOOgie on the Belle, aboard the riverboat Bama Belle.
Christmas and New Years parties. At a member's home or at the church.
The Ethnic Dinner. A potluck dinner, in which participants bring a dish that celebrates their ethnic heritage, or simply their favorite ethnic food. Typically in the winter.
Chili/Chowder cookoff. A friendly competition among the best chilis, chowders, bisques, stews and other semi-liquid spoon-eaten foods.
Fourth of July celebration. An intergenerational dinner at the home of a member.
