Chicago Tribune Explores Unitarian Universalist Marketing

In its December 28th article, “Unitarian Universalists Put Faith in Advertising,” the Chicago Tribune explores Unitarian Universalist outreach efforts. The focal point of the article is the recent Unitarian Universalist Association ad campaign, put in the context of a larger shift among UU’s with regards to new member recruitment.

The article includes some insightful quotations from Unitarian Universalist leaders:

“We have a message and a philosophy that welcomes all, in times where there is a lot of polarization about religion,” said Rev. Nina Grey, senior minster at First Unitarian Church, begun in 1836 and now in Hyde Park. “I think it is part of our desire to be radically hospitable.

And this from Rev. Dan Larsen of the Congregational Unitarian Church of Woodstock (Illinois):

“We need to ask why we want to attract other people,” Larsen said. “I think the reason has to be, we feel that we have an important message — that we need to make a difference in the world with our lives.”

I also learned from the article that there is a new UU congregation, Micah’s Porch, being planted in Chicago. Rev. David Owen-O’Quill, who is founding Micah’s Porch, is quoted as follows:

“I think our churches became comfortable and inward focused and resembled philosophical debating clubs more than churches,” he said. “A message of a loving God that embraces the whole human family is one that needs to be heard.”