Name Change Workshop

March 17, 2002

Approximately 25 members and friends of the UUCB attended a workshop held on March 17, 2002 to discuss the pros and cons of the UUCB changing its name. At issue is whether the word “Church” in the UUCB name should be replaced with something else, such as “Community” or “Congregation”.

Those in attendance broke into several groups to discuss their feelings and concerns about the prospect of a name change for the UUCB. Later, all the small groups reported to the larger group about their discussions.

The following is a list (not in any order of significance) of the issues, perceptions, and concerns voiced at the workshop.

• We want to be inclusive to people of all religious backgrounds.
• We want to appreciate and celebrate diversity.
• Change can be invigorating, and it can generate constructive dialog about who we are as a religious community and denomination.
• The effort involved in trying to change the UUCB name may be taking energy away from places where the UUCB community could better use it
• The name change effort is really about a political agenda, rather than a spiritual agenda
• We need to reclaim, and thereby embrace, the word “church”
• Keeping the word “church” in our name may help the UUCB avoid being marginalized in the greater community – it may help to legitimize the UUCB and counter notions “out there” that UU’s are cultish.
• The UUCB, as a “church”, offers a valuable alternative to fundamentalist churches in our greater community
• To many, the word “church” smacks of Christianity, and using the word “church” in the UUCB name is inherently unwelcoming to those who come from other backgrounds and/or reject Christianity.
• No matter what term we use in the UUCB name (whether it be “church”, “community”, “congregation”, or something else), the term will be viewed by some as exclusionary. Even “Unitarian Universalist” presents problems, because those words hark back to our denomination’s Christian past, a reference that some would like to see de-emphasized.
• The word “congregation” may not be any improvement in terms of being more inclusive. “Congregation” has been used in both Christian and Jewish contexts.
• The word “community” has a more secular and less spiritual connotation
• Some people don’t like saying they’re going to “church”, but they are also unsure what phrase to use instead. (“I’m going to my spiritual community” seems too cumbersome and pretentious.)
• When talking to others outside the UUCB community, using the word “church” can facilitate establishing a common ground (for working together or being in relationship).
• We do not want to make members of the UUCB feel as though they are “other” – the word “church” in our name may make some people feel like they’re being excluded from our community, or not being recognized/honored.
• A number of people within the UUCB community are uncomfortable with the word “church” being a part of our community’s name, for a variety of reasons.

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