To become a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Palouse all you need to do is sign our Membership Book.

Although it is easy to become a member of our congregation, we do not take membership lightly.  Choosing to become a member is choosing to make a profound commitment to the continued shared ministry of our community.  This commitment is accompanied by the following rights and responsibilities.

Rights of membership

• The wonderful feeling of ownership and belonging to a welcoming, fun, spiritually uplifting, intellectually stimulating congregation that makes a difference in the wider community.
• A vote in all congregational meetings.  Usually our congregational meetings vote on budgets and Board members, but sometimes our congregation votes on social justice issues, to call or terminate a minister’s call, or other decisions deemed too important to the life of the congregation for the Board to handle on its own.
• The possibility of sitting on the Board of Trustees.  Only congregational members may become Board members.
• A subscription to the Unitarian Universalist World Magazine published by the Unitarian Universalist Association.

Responsibilities of membership

Regular attendance

We don’t define “regular attendance,” but we would like to remember what you look like.  We know that if you are not in church you are doing something important, even if it’s simply sleeping in.  Unitarian Universalists don’t do guilt.

A contribution of record

Every year we conduct a pledge drive.  This congregation is built upon the many gifts of time, talent, energy and money of its many members and friends.  Simply put, we need money to keep our doors open and our building standing; and yet, we don’t ask exclusively for money because we know that some people are of limited means.  Therefore we ask for a “contribution of record” which can be of money, of labor or a combination of the two.  Any monetary contribution is welcome, though we suggest a pledge in the ballpark of three percent of income.

Participation in the shared ministry

We have six paid staff members and only one of them is full-time (the minister).  The rest of the ministry of this congregation is conducted by our many marvelous volunteers.  We ask members to find volunteer positions that mesh with their passions: singing in the choir, making coffee, sitting on a committee, teaching Sunday school, etc.  If you would like to volunteer for a position in our multifaceted church community, please contact our minister.

That said, we exert no pressure on anyone to become a member.  Many of your long-time church attendees have been “friends” of the congregation for years before signing the Membership Book.  You are more than welcome to participate in congregational life for as long as you like before making a commitment to membership. 

If you are ready to make the commitment to membership, please contact our minister.