Whether you have visited CVUU infrequently or attended for years, we are so glad that you have found a spiritual home with us and are considering becoming an official member!

Membership is a rich experience with the privileges and responsibilities of profoundly belonging to a community, and joining CVUU is a declaration that you share the values and goals of our community and the broader UU movement. It is also a personal commitment to have a relationship with the members of this society. They collectively seek spiritual growth for themselves and their children, share the wisdom of many religious traditions, offer service to humanity and acknowledge a reverence for the earth.

Membership Benefits

Having a place to worship, make friends, pay attention to spiritual matters, receive support, and seek pastoral care are all benefits available to everyone in our community. But would you like to feel a more profound connection to CVUU? A sense of belonging and ownership accompanies becoming a member and formally expressing your commitment to the well-being and sustainability of CVUU.

Other benefits are more concrete, including fully living the fifth principle of our faith: the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregation and in society at large. Only members can vote at official congregational meetings, hold an elected office of the community, represent the society at district or national conferences, vote to call or install a new minister and confer ordination on ministerial candidates. These are joyous and vital occasions in the congregation’s life; only members can fully participate. In addition, membership confers responsibility for the community since members jointly own the building. Other benefits include free access to facilities and our Minister, Rev. Viola Abbitt, for weddings and funerals and reduced building rental for special occasions.

Increased membership numbers also amplify our voice in our denomination and the greater community, giving us more influence on the local, national, and world political and social agenda!

Membership Aspirations

We hope our members will wholeheartedly aspire to fulfill these commitments to our congregation. Primarily, members commit to periodically reflecting on their involvement within the community and the following:

• Affirm the 8 UU principles and the mission of our congregation
• Actively pursue your spiritual growth and connect with the broader UU movement
• Be ‘present’ – regularly participate in worship or other activities and be open to the experience of community
• Engage in spiritually fulfilling service and contribute your time twice a year to our congregation as you can (e.g., usher, teach RE, assist with our Community Table ministry, join the Caring Team, etc.)
•  Support CVUU financially, as you are able.

Membership Process

While not a requirement, we often recommend that all interested individuals attend our “Pathways to UU” course and our Newcomer Lunch before joining CVUU. Our Pathways to Membership course enables you to meet fellow newcomers, hear from our lay leaders and staff, learn about UUism, explore our building with a guided tour, and discover how to get more involved at CVUU. This unique class allows each newcomer to spend time with one another, meet other newcomers and members, and get any questions answered.

If you are ready to become a member, please stop by the Welcome Table during Coffee Hour to speak with a representative of our Membership Committee. They will be happy to answer any questions.

How do you join?

The decision to join is an essential step in one’s relationship with the church, signifying a commitment to financial support and participation in the life and work of the congregation. One joins the church by doing three things. First, we invite you to attend a two-hour Pathways to Membership class.

Rev. Viola Abbitt and the Membership Committee offer these classes several times a year. We introduce newcomers to Unitarian Universalism and the fun and exciting activities at Coastal Virginia Unitarian Universalists.

We would love to hear from you! Visitor’s Form

Contact membership@c-vuu.org to enroll in our next Pathways to Membership class.