The Unitarian Universalist Meeting of South Berkshire began in 1995. Since then we have grown to be a vital and vibrant congregation. Members come from all walks of life and follow various spiritual paths. However, we are sustained, individually and collectively, by traveling our various paths together. Our weekly service often concludes with saying together: “If you came here seeking God, may God go with you and dwell amongst you. If you came here seeking a way, may a path be found and may you walk it well. If you came here seeking a home, may we be your family, because we love you.”
We encourage people to come visit us and find out more about who we are and the community we have chosen to form. We hold weekly services with social time and refreshments after each service, spirituality groups, a book club, hikes, social justice activities, adult and children religious education groups, and other events. We welcome and encourage the broader South Berkshire community to use our wonderful historic building.
A Path to Membership
If, after visiting, you decide that this is of interest to you, we encourage you to join us in membership. There are some great benefits to becoming an official member of the congregation. Membership is a commitment to the covenant of the community, to shaping the future of the congregation, and to participating in decisions that we will make together in community. Membership is also an opportunity to deepen your relationship to UUMSB through reflection and intention.
Before signing the membership book, each person will have a private meeting with the minister to talk about the community and answer any questions.
Membership at UUMSB
Members are encouraged to serve on the Board of Trustees and the various Committees of the Congregation. We have periodic work days to help maintain our historic building built in 1892 by raking leaves, dusting pews, and painting. Those who are able also to participate by donations of time and money to partner organizations. We find that with many hands, each member’s responsibilities are kept to a minimum.
Our budget is fully funded by tax-deductible gifts from our members and grants such as the Great Barrington Community Preservation Act Grant allowing us to make structural repairs to our building. We send a per-member fee to our Unitarian Universalist Association each year to support the programs of the large Congregation. We are a “fair share” congregation, meaning that we pay the full amount asked per member to the UUA. In addition to supporting larger Unitarian Universalism, this helps us to be eligible for services like the “first time home-buyer grant” that helped us to purchase our church home. Our fiscal year is from July 1 to June 30. We distribute pledge forms in the spring each year so that we can approve the next year’s budget at the Annual Meeting each June. To learn more about how the finances of UUMSB work, or to talk with someone on the Stewardship Committee about your pledge, please be in touch.
Please come visit us, get to know us and if this Congregation is for you, please speak with any Board Member or the Minister about becoming a Member.