The document discusses the role of membership professionals and committees in cultivating a culture of inclusivity and radical hospitality in congregations. It emphasizes that welcoming newcomers is everyone's responsibility, and provides tips like avoiding insider language, having introductions at meetings, and knowing the congregational identity. The document also lists resources on lay leadership, radical hospitality, and membership ministry blogs, and invites participants to reflect on how their membership work is a ministry.

1. The Ministry of Membership
Heidi Mastrud, Director of Congregational Life, First
Universalist Church of Minneapolis,UUAMP Board of
Trustees
Phil Lund, Director of Faith Development and

2. Multi-tasking?

4. Inviting Reflection
Think of a time that your
congregation did not do a good job
of being open to newcomers.

5. Radical Hospitality
“When I let a stranger into my
heart, I let a new possibility
approach me. When I reach past
my own ideas, I begin to stretch
myself open to the world, and
this opening of my heart could
change everything. That’s pretty
frightening stuff. You can’t ever
be the same if you start doing
that kind of thing.”
- From Introduction, p.xx

6. Hearing Your Voices
Describe Unitarian
Universalism at its
best.

7. Hearing Your Voices
Describe Unitarian
Universalism at its
worst.

8. What is the Role of the
Membership Professional/
Committee?

9. Cultivating a Culture of
Inclusivity
This is everyone’s
work.
Preach it!
Communicate
strategically.

10. Cultivating a Culture of
Inclusivity
Never use insider
language.
Intros at every meeting.
Know your
congregational identity.
You have a vision.

11. My Vision
Come into this place.
There are healing waters here
and hands with soothing balm
to ease your troubled days…
Rest awhile.
Let the warmth of this community
surround you,
hold you,
heal you.
-From “Saved” by Theresa Novak

12. UU Theology, Principles,
Inherent
Worth &
Wisdom Justice,
From Equity &
the
Universal

13. What is Hospitality?

14. Welcome. Without

15. My Challenge to You:
 Sit down tonight or tomorrow,
while this is still fresh in your
head, and write two or three
sentences about how your work
with membership is a ministry
and a faith-full practice. Then
send those ideas to me
(heidi@firstuniv.org) and I’ll
compile them and disseminate

16. Radical Hospitality
Throw open the windows, swing
wide the doors, crank up the
music of our lives and our
congregations. Amazing things
will happen if we… become
available to others, radically
available.
- From Introduction, p.xx

17. Resources
 Serving with Grace: Lay Leadership as a Spiritual Practice, Erik
Walker Wikstrom
 Radical Hospitality: Benedict’s Way of Love, Lonni Collins Pratt
with Father Daniel Homan
 “Saved” from With or Without Candlelight: A Meditation
Anthology, Rev. Victoria Safford, ed.
 Heidi’s Blog, “Not Hell But Hope” http://
nothellbuthope.blogspot.com/
 Rev. Justin Schroeder’s Blog, “The Well” http://
wellswedidnotdig.blogspot.com/2011/10/mapping-life-
hospitality-or-exclusivity.html - this will link to a post about
hospitality
 www.uuamp.org or Facebook Group: UUAMP

18. Questions
or Comments?

19. Thank you!
Join UUAMP at our next
webinar!
Greeter 101, April 9, 7:45 ET