On 23 October 2022, our congregation met to discuss what we want for the future, as part of thinking about both what we want, and to help inform the creation of a ‘congregational support toolkit’ which the national Unitarian movement is looking at creating. We asked about what people thought had recently changed, what they thought we needed, and what we dream of for the future. Seven people wrote down their answers – here’s what they said:

1. The main things people said about what has changed is that the congregation is a bit smaller, and that we have more online services. One person commented: “We’ve gained some new members, we’ve lost some through the pandemic who have chosen to leave. We now do hybrid services using Zoom and in the chapel, with one or two people joining online. We’re still very small.”
2. The main things they said about what we need now are: “Outreach in the local area” and “more people”. One person said: “We need ideas for reaching out to possible new members and ensuring the message gets out there that ALL faiths are welcome, and ALL people from ALL walks of life.”
3. The main things they said about what we dream of for the future are: “being a welcoming space”, “more social outreach and action”, “a larger congregation”, “reaching more people” and “a wider age range in the congregation”. One person said: “I dream of a settled place of meeting, developing our community events, interests, [having] a thinking and discussion group, spiritual, philosophical, environmental. Wider issues and involvement in the local community.”

Here’s the main things people said.

1. Themes in answers to: “How has your congregation changed in the last two years?”	How many people said this
Congregation is smaller	2
More online services	2
Congregation is younger	1
Congregation is still small	1
Hybrid services are new	1
Not much change	1
Online services mean people can still attend if they are ill or have travel problems	1
Other	1
Some new members	1
Some people have left	1

2. Themes in answer to “What do we need now?”	How many people said this
Outreach in the local area	3
More online services	2
Congregation is younger	1
Congregation is still small	1
Hybrid services are new	1
Not much change	1
Online services mean people can still attend if they are ill or have travel problems	1
More new people	2
A spiritual leader	1
Communicating that all are welcome	1
Could we use the building for other social purposes?	1
Different service formats	1
More worship leaders	1
Outreach to other similar groups in the area	1
Permanent home is needed	1

3. Themes in answer to “What do we dream of for the future?”	How many people said this
Being a welcoming space	4
More social outreach and action	3
A larger congregation	2
Reaching more people	2
Wider age range in the congregation	2
Being welcoming for LGBTQIA+ people	1
Good quality worship, for all congregations	1
Having spiritual, artistic and philosophical events	1
Retaining new people	1
We need spiritual leadership	1

Thanks to everyone who took part!