The E Word

why doesn't anyone know about the Unitarian Universalists?

Note: This is primarily UU content, but I’m curious what readers from other faith traditions think about this.

I'm tired of being so small we only make up a percentage of "other" on surveys. I hate that part of the pitch for the pledge drive at the congregation I serve was about how people in town are surprised to learn about us.

I know there are reasons having to do with holding unpopular opinions about the Trinity, and Hell, and Abolition, and Socialism, and Humanism, and Reproductive Rights, and War, and LGBTQIA+ Rights, and and and….with congregations turning inward to create safe havens. I’ve written some about this already, but it’s come up again and I have to say this:

I believe we’ve done a very bad job of evangelizing.

Yep, I said it, and I’ll say it again: EVANGELIZING.

Now I know half of you are freaking out, or wondering why I would use a word coopted by the religious right. But here’s the thing: while being an evangelist carries a connotation of preaching the Christian gospel, its Greek roots are simply "bringer of good news," from euangelizesthai "bring good news.”

And what is our message of justice, equity, transformation, pluralism, interdependence, and generosity, with Love at the center, but good news?

Of course there’s a lot of activity connected to evangelizing that we’re not keen on - proselytizing, pushiness, guilt-tripping, etc. There’s a lot of terrible stuff that happens when someone knocks on your door unbidden to push their religion on you.

But should that keep us from talking to others about our faith when the opportunity arises? Should that keep us from getting our message out? We’re getting some good press, with op-eds including us, and more and more of us out there doing good things. And on a national level, it’s been good. I suspect most of our congregations are seeing larger Sunday attendance and more repeat visitors. We are welcoming new members and growing.

And we need to keep this up.

Talk to folks. When they ask where you’re going or why you’re buying flowers or donuts for worship, tell them where. Wear your activist shirts and pins out all the time, not just when you’re at a congregational event or going to a rally. Write about it on social media. Ask your friends if they know who we are and where we land on the ridiculousness of this hostile government takeover. And invite people to come check us out - without apology (my god, we’re so good at apologizing for who we are…sigh). And get your outreach teams to make a plan and Reach Out beyond the comfort zones.

I think you’ll be surprised to find that (a) people are inclined toward Love more than hate, (b) people may not know we exist and find themselves relieved, and (c) might want to check us out if they’re at all seeking community or spiritual sustenance during this impossible time.

Evangelize. Share our good news.

To the non-UUs among us: how did you learn about us? Also, what does your faith do to reach others outside your fold?