First Religious Society
Results of Congregational Survey 2005

Contents

Part One: Quantitative Analysis of Survey Responses
     Survey Validity
     General Well-Being
     How are We Doing? - Overview
     Our Minister - Overview
     About You - Demographic Data
     How Are We Doing? - Quantitative Data
     Ministerial Functions - Quantitative

Part Two. Qualitative Analysis and Discussion of Comments Made by Respondents
     Areas of Appreciation
     How are we doing? - Comments
     Our Minister - Comments
     Other Opportunities for improvement

Introduction

By this survey, individual members and friends of the FRS were given the opportunity and encouraged to assess the well-being of the church, and to offer guidance regarding future direction for the Society. The survey requested both a quantitative ranking of various programs and ministerial functions and qualitative comments to provide specific feedback or concerns.

The attached report of the survey results consist of two parts:

Part One: Quantitative Analysis of Survey Responses. Included are both a discussion of the quantitative results and a copy of the quantitative report.

Part Two: Qualitative Analysis and Discussion of Narrative Comments Made by Respondents to Various Aspects of the Survey

The Committee on Ministry thanks the committee chairs who suggested improvements to the survey instrument, and to all 144 respondents who completed surveys.

We take this opportunity to remind the congregation that the Committee on Ministry works to provide a communications channel between the Minister and the membership, seeking to hear concerns without judgment and passing them on to the Minister or the membership. Please feel free to contact us if you have concerns.

The Committee on Ministry

Stan Cecil
Laura Roberts
Annie Madden
Harold Babcock, ex officio
Forrest Speck, Chair

Part One: Quantitative Analysis of Survey Responses

Survey Validity

This profile should be compared to the general population of the Society before major conclusions are drawn or actions taken.

As noted above, 39 respondents indicated that they had a child or children in the RE program. Currently there are 175 children attending RE, representing 98 families. It would seem therefore, that this group may be under-represented. There are several presumptions that might account for this: families with youngsters are very, very busy and may not have had time for the survey and/or families with young children tend to be newer members or friends of the church, and may not have felt informed or invested enough to participate. In further evaluating the RE program, we may want to retarget that population with a particular and focused instrument.

Another artifact of such surveys is that there is no way to calculate how skewed the answers of volunteers would be from those who did not choose to fill out the survey. One can make presumptions, such as those who did not participate had more mixed feelings, but for a more complete account, the non-responders would have to be interviewed.

Survey Instrument. The survey instrument is sound, however the large grid in the "Our Minister" section proved to be somewhat unwieldy as indicated by the relatively high number of non-responses. Advice for future surveys would be to redesign the minister evaluation page to include only the column which evaluates the minister's performance. (The column to eliminate, "importance to you", could be addressed by an optional check mark, over to the side of each ministerial function.)

The Survey respondents' ratings are universally high; therefore, in order to look for deeper meaning, the tendency is to focus on categories which have more Good than Excellent responses. This is a danger, because Good is still a high rating.

Some categories had fewer responses, which is a good sign that indicates people did not attempt to rate services that they did not use such as Religious Education (R.E.) or Caring for Members in Need or Pastoral Counseling. However, a low number of responses should raise a red flag in cases where services are supposed to have a high level of awareness.

The following summary will list, in reverse order, the modal (most frequently selected) response, the number of people who answered the question, and the percentages of those responders who selected "Excellent or Good".

General Well-Being (last page of survey)

How are We Doing?

Worship Service

Worship is the focus of our Society. Of all questions on the survey, Worship Sermons was the one item nearly everyone took time to answer, and worship service fulfillment was second. 98% of responders reported that the Sermons were Excellent or Good. Of the 141 people who answered this question, 122 replied Excellent.

Worship Committee tasks were rated by 83% of responders to be Excellent or Good. Of the 116 people who answered this question, 65 people replied Good.

Regarding Fulfillment from Worship Services, 96% of responders selected Excellent or Good. Of the 135 people answering, 82 replied Excellent.

Music

The Adult Music program was rated by 96% of responders as Excellent or Good. Of the 131 people answering, 71 replied Excellent.

The Youth Music program was rated by 90% of responders as Excellent or Good. Of the 118 people answering, 70 replied Excellent.

Religious Education

The Youth RE program was rated by 95% of responders as Excellent or Good. Of the 64 people who answered, 32 replied Excellent.

Special RE Youth programming was rated by 96% of responders as Excellent or Good. Of the 69 people who answered, 44 replied Excellent.

Adult RE programming was rated by 92% of responders as Excellent or Good. Of the 79 people who answered, 45 replied Good.

Membership Activities

Membership Activities were rated by 91% of responders as Excellent or Good. Of the 110 people who answered, 42 replied Excellent and 58 replied Good.

Social Action

The Social Action program was rated by 88% of responders as Excellent or Good. Of the 108 people who answered, 64 replied Good.

Human Services

The unexpectedly low response to this question is an indication that people are unaware of the Human Services program, or specifically, confused it with the Social Action program (as evidenced by written comments).

The Human Services program was rated by 95% of responders as Excellent or Good. Of the 76 people who answered this question, 48 replied Good.

Caring for Members in Need

Caring for Members in Need was rated by 97% of responders as Excellent or Good. Of the 75 people who answered, 36 replied Excellent and 37 replied Good.

Property Maintenance

Day to Day maintenance of property was rated by 96% of responders as Excellent or Good. Of the 128 people who answered, 63% replied Excellent.

Regarding Long-term care, it was rated by 94% of responders as Excellent or Good. Of the 109 people who answered, 52 replied Excellent and 51, Good.

Financial Management

Financial Management was rated by 93% of responders as Excellent or Good. Of the 107 people who responded, 46 replied Excellent and 53 replied Good.

Communication

A large number of people answered this question, and 96% of them rated Communication as Excellent or Good. Of the 135 people who answered, 90 replied Excellent.

Our Minister

Regarding the minister's performance, survey respondents rated the minister very highly, especially for the functions that were important to them.

Sermons were rated far above all other functions in importance, and 98% of responders rated the minister's performance as Excellent or Good. Of the 127 people who answered, 107 replied Excellent.

Fellowship was the second-most important function, and 95% of responders rated the minister's performance as Excellent or Good. Of the 110 people who answered, 72 replied Excellent.

Rites of Passage was the third most important function, and 100% of responders rated the minister's performance as Excellent or Good. Of the 98 people who answered, 75 replied Excellent.

Social change was a function in which our minister was not rated as highly. This category had the least proportion of Excellent responses, and the most Poor responses (5). However, it was also the question with the most standard of deviation, e.g., 37 people replied that they believed the minister's performance was Excellent. This result indicates a diversity of opinions among responders.

Summary of ratings of minister's performance

Most important functions:

Sermons -- 98% Excellent or Good of 127 answered, 107 Excellent

Fellowship -- 95% Excellent or Good of 110 answered, 72 Excellent

Rites of Passage -- 100% Excellent or Good of 98 answered, 75 Excellent

Very Important:

Youth RE -- 97% Excellent or Good of 68 answered, 35 Good

Social change -- 83% Excellent or Good of 95 answered, 42 Good

Social life -- 97% Excellent or Good of 96 answered, 53 Excellent

Adult RE -- 95% Excellent or Good of 85 answered, 48 Excellent

Important:

Counseling -- 97% Excellent or Good of 63 answered, 42 Excellent

Expansion -- 88% Excellent or Good of 85 answered, 42 Excellent

Pastor calls -- 93% Excellent or Good of 46 answered, 25 Excellent

Leader outside -- 81% Excellent or Good of 75 answered, 35 Good

Liaison religious -- 89% Excellent or Good of 75 answered, 34 Excellent

Less relative importance:

Administration -- 90% Excellent or Good of 79 answered, 39 Excellent

UUA participation -- 95% Excellent or Good of 75 answered, 38 Excellent

Least relative importance:

Committee work -- 86% Excellent or Good of 65 answered, 30 Excellent

Arts Emphasis -- 87% Excellent or Good of 67 answered, 40 Good

Fundraising -- 93% Excellent or Good of 69 answered, 43 Good

Public communication -- 73% Excellent or Good of 37 answered, 19 Good

Part Two. Qualitative Analysis and Discussion of Comments Made by Respondents on Various Aspects of the Survey

The volume of compiled narrative responses (22 pages) precludes inclusion of each and every word offered by respondents in this summary report. Responses were compiled in appropriate categories having to do with various ministerial functions, programs, or general themes. What follows is a summary of the contents of comments about appreciation, various programs, and opportunities for improvement in our church society, followed by samples of actual representative comments in each category.

In reviewing the summary, please keep in mind the following:

• The general tenor of the responses was very positive. Isolated criticism and recommendations for improvements should be heard in the context of this overwhelmingly positive general tone.

• Though 144 people completed the survey, many respondents limited their input to the check-off ratings of excellent, good, fair, poor or no opinion. The following compilation is from those who chose to expand on their input with optional narrative comments. Therefore, the number of comments in each category may seem like few compared to the overall number of respondents.

• The opinions expressed are those of respondents to the survey, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the members of the Committee on Ministry.

Areas of Appreciation

• UU tenants, beautiful church, vibrant church community, great pastor, harmonious, beautiful music and meaningful sermons. The whole experience is spiritual fertilizer.

• The beauty of the sanctuary, especially the light from the windows. Harold and everything he does for FRS. The friendly, likeminded people. The worship service - one hour a week to pause and reflect.

• Very obvious feeling of community. Wonderful sermons, vibrant community, attention to children.

• Came to get married. Came bac k for R.E. for our kids. Have grown to greatly appreciate the society of some wonderful people. I value a liberal faith, now more than ever.

• Many things, including: great sermons, wonderful fellowship, and a very active membership in church activities.

• Excellent preaching, good music, fine RE for children and youth, auction, variety show, social action committee.

• It allows people to be adult, to bring the thought of our time to the perennial age old questions which people of faith ask. It is a denomination which has offered women in ministry positions of importance. It does not exclude but includes in the language of its hymns. It supports what to me is a profoundly human task - becoming the unique person we are, while supporting one another in community.

• Responsibility for developing a religious practice is placed squarely on each individual person. Truth is the object of our search, not adherence to a rigid dogma.

• The warmth of the minister and congregation.

• A period of centering on Sunday. A chance to see family and friends.

• I enjoy being a part of such a liberal, open, accepting society.

• Everything. A wonderful community that I feel fortunate to be a part of.

• Vitality of the community.

• The level of involvement in the well being of the church - the sense of community.

• A bedrock of UU principles and purposes.

• The opportunity to formulate ones own beliefs and not be criticized.

How are we doing?

Worship

As was the case in 2000, many respondents in this section (28) expressed admiration for the minister's sermons.

• Sermons are consistently inspirational, creative and varied.
• Harold's sermons always please. They help me stay in touch with my "better self."
• I drive 45 minutes away to hear Harold - he's the best, most consistent minister I've ever had.
• Harold Babcock is a thought-provoking, deeply nuanced person. His sermons are a highlight.
• I like the range of faith traditions and literature from which the sermons draw.

• The service has been creeping out of balance last three years, very much over-weighted on Minister's time alone, over-verbalizing. And service needs greeting-each-other time.
• Occasionally I get tired of the same structure of service: Readings, hymns, sermon, etc.
• Would like more lay - led services or ways to involve lay - i.e. welcoming announcements, doing readings, personal journeys.
• Getting more lay involvement in the services would help bring the congregation into worship. It would be good to hear voices in addition to Harold's in worship - not to replace him, but to supplement him.

• Joys and concerns is broken - lacks spontaneity, is now canned.
• Joys and concerns seems too controlled.
• Consider leaving the Joys and Sorrows to the Steeple Weekly.

• I think we could benefit from more lay-led services, just to get to know the whole range of what the diverse spiritual perspective of the congregation are.
• The Jazz service had everybody buzzing - great!
• Often good, sometimes not.
• I shy away from these generally but some are memorable and stand out.

Much enthusiasm was expressed regarding Frances's leadership of the adult music program and the contribution of the choir (17 comments).

• Choir has improved so much.
• Frances has done wonders. Keeps getting better!
• Frances is a serious musician and director - gets a lot out of the choir, organizes guest concerts.
• Love Frances's innovations and broadening of the repertoire.
• To top it off, beautiful choral music now fills the church. It's the same space and the same organ, but the sound, the feeling, the conviction and exuberance is new. How does a music director accomplish this?

• Would like to hear music from other cultures and religions.
• Both music programs could benefit from a greater variety of music.
• New hymnals. Many of the songs are not particularly easy or inspiring.
• Quality is excellent but content too biased - I know that traditional choral music is mostly very Christian, but is there any other content out there. We supposedly acknowledge other sources - our music should too.

The comments on the youth choir and Claudia's leadership were very positive (16 comments).

• Can't praise Claudia enough!
• Claudia is phenomenal - I think this is underappreciated in the general membership.
• Wonderful to see so many kids - all ages - and they sound great.

General comments regarding RE were positive, with Julie, the curricula, and OWL drawing specific praise (13 comments).

• From what I've seen, it seems to encourage knowledge and understanding of the world.
• Curricula good. Julie is a gem - we are very lucky to have her.
• From my observation, our church's youth seem very much involved.
• I thoroughly enjoy taking part in teaching.
• Love the new curricula.
• Glad OWL is available.

• Some class sizes still too big to manage effectively, ex: 4th grade. OWL class too large, don't open up to so many outsiders, limit it to 20.
• I would like the classes to really explain more about UU's, not just everyone else.
• Mentors need more organization.
• Would like to see young church newsletter on the website.
• Sometimes I feel that the subjects that Harold chooses should be taught to the children at the same time.

• Sort of miss the "Christian" elements of Christmas and Easter.
• I wish RE program was more like adult worship/focus in terms of recognizing Christian/ Judeo heritage and truly recognizing Christian/Judeo holidays and rituals. Harold strikes a good balance on this - maybe he could provide more direction/input for young church.

Religious Education - Adult

Survey respondents (8) were enthused about the adult RE offerings . . .

• Good selections and getting better all the time.
• Especially those headed by Harold, the more the better.

• The topics sound very interesting, but I don't have time for them yet.
• I just need to get there!

Respondents (10) value many of the Membership activities, including the new member lunch, circle dinners, potlucks, cookouts, the Variety Show and the Auction. A feeling was expressed (10) that we could improve connections with new members by increasing the number of these types of gathering activities and by working harder on welcoming new members.

• New member lunch is great, never had that at other churches.
• Members are friendly and that helps new people get acquainted/involved.
• The Variety Show and the Auction are well done; but there is room for much improvement in our welcoming of visitors.
• We need to have more family nights, such as talent night. They don't have to be complicated, just a reason to be together.
• Greater emphasis on making new members feel welcome.
• Increased effort to get new members welcomed and involved.

Respondents (10) applauded the new "Social Action Committee" and its leader Liss Campbell. Several (3) mentioned the loose plate donations as a positive development. A few (2) felt we should encourage more parishioners to be involved in social action. One person suggested a posting of monthly activities for better awareness.

• Love the loose plate idea and current events forum.
• Am impressed by all the initiative taken by this committee.
• Liss Campbell and her committee do a fine job, but there is lots of opportunity for whole-church involvement.
• It'd be great to list the monthly activities and give people more info on who's doing what. (Steeple Weekly?)
• I think our Social Action Committee is very committed; however congregation as a whole lets them do all the work.
• Liss is addressing an important need with social action contributions.

Very few respondents (3) commented on Human Services. Several (4) suggested that more information would be helpful.

Caring for Members in Need

Recognition was given to the value of the Visiting Group's activities and the leadership of Florence Mercer. Two respondents recommended that we consider helping congregants with financial support during times of need, and two suggested the committee should make itself better known.

• Thanks to Florence Mercer and the visiting group!
• The visitor program is wonderful!
• Florence and minister know more about this, but I think we should have funds put aside for needy members in addition to small amount available now. Many of our members face health costs, problems with housing and problems with special needs children. We have a lot of money now. Let's use more of it for the good of needy members or other in community.
• Would like to know more - this is caring for the beloved community.

Several (3) commented on the success of the building project. In 2000, 43 respondents offered concerns about space needs, a concern that did not surface this year. There were a few isolated suggestions for improvements to the buildings and grounds. Of note is that this section in 2000 included more than 20 suggestions for improvements.

• We are so fortunate. We inherited a magnificent Meeting House. I never imagined what near miracle would emerge from underneath the Meeting House. We are profoundly grateful to everyone who worked on that. I take pleasure just in the thought of it. What is especially unexpected is the effect of the landscaping: the handsome stone walls, the brick pathway leading from the city parking lot, the wide stairs leading to the terrace and the pleasing doorway combine to pull and welcome us into the church. No more iron fence with a "keep out" look. The north side looks deceptively simple, but it has a kind of elegance that compliments the grandeur and height of the magnificent Meeting House. Yet at the same time the care given to the landscape draws the eye downward and in.
• The lower level expansion made a big difference to me, super use of space!
• The building project was inspired and masterful. Thank you to all involved who worked so hard.
• Ice/snow could be better.
• More improvements to the building- new platform in sanctuary, cushions in pews, new carpeting, re-doing the choir-room, more renovations to the parish hall.

This topic brought only a few (12) comments with some positive and some recommending either a more or less aggressive approach to the canvass. One person was concerned about staying within our means on the operating budget. One respondent encouraged a "socially responsible" investment policy. Two people had concerns about the statements that are sent periodically.

• Very well organized and run.
• We need to stay within our means for the operating budget.
• Harold, don't be afraid to tell people that churches need lights, water, electricity, property maintenance, like any other business - those thing don't come for free to churches.
• Please adopt some aspect of socially responsible investing.

Most commented on the fine Website and email communications by John Mercer and Vicki Dyer (13). A few offered concerns for those who are not e-connected. Individual suggestions were made to improve outreach to area residents, to improve the timeliness of the snail - mail Steeple, to improve the newspaper listing, and to improve news about young church activities.

• Plenty of information on church activities, up to date.
• Very good, but could still be better - especially coordination between office and young church/young church choir.
• Just make sure those not internet connected don't feel left out; also, maybe have open-house or tutorial in office re: website.
• Website: because committee minutes are not current, it appears there is no activity.
• The Daily News should have a better listing of our weekly and special activities.
• Steeple and website are super - Thank you John!
• John Mercer and Vicki Dyer are TOPS! Could they tell us about the Sunday School curriculum?

• Our long transition to a new level of professional leadership and our realization of a building program have positioned FRS for a wonderful service to all our communities in the coming years. We are so strong in our staff, and have managed to attract outstanding people in every position. These additions to a loving congregation make a fantastic combination.

Our Minister - comments

• I think Harold Babcock is the most wonderful of ministers, theologically and humanly. His sermons address my fears and questions-his approaches and ways to address the challenges of today's world are sound, trustworthy and thoughtful. I can feel hope, because they are filled with honesty and wisdom.

• Our beloved minister continually illuminates ways to live in the ethical spirit of the Judaic-Christian tradition, the UU principles. He shares ways of questioning and believing, sources of hope: he inspires us to sustain a communal bond for compassion and understanding. He strengthens my faith. I await his prayer and meditation eagerly . . . it is usually the most important part of the service for me. Yet as thoughtful and serious as Harold is, his spontaneity and sense of humor dispel any thought that the man up there in the raised pulpit is different from us. In many ways, however, he is different. He has opened his heart to Native Americans out West and to our partner Unitarians in Rumania. He brings those personal experiences to the worship service, cautiously, carefully, not to burden us with their deprivations or to boast about his missionary service but as an example of hope, goodness, community, and our individual ability to reach out to strangers.

• Harold has such a perfect combination of qualities - wisdom, warmth, scholarship, humor, unpretentiousness, and comfort with the notion that we don't have all the answers. He is a gem and really makes this entire church hum. We are so very fortunate that he and Sabrina are here with us. I particularly think he is masterful during his "Prayer and Meditation".

• I have grown up Unitarian with various ministers and Harold, by far is superior!

• The choice of Harold has proved to be an excellent fit for him and the congregation. We're spoiled, and may we continue to be.

• Harold is great. Let's keep him!

• I hope Harold will stay for a very long time. His leadership has moved our church in wonderful directions.

• Harold is a deep, thoughtful, insightful, giving person and we are blessed to have him as our minister.

Other Opportunities for improvement

Religious discourse (5)

These comments illustrate the way that our community includes proponents on either side of this particular issue.

• Perhaps a little more emphasis on the teachings of Jesus - he was a great thinker and teacher!
• Sometimes I feel the Judeo-Christian roots are emphasized in a sort of institutional way. Would like more eclectic worship practices to be attempted. Of course - I don't myself know how to do this.
• I would like less Jesus, and more on other religions. All the holidays we celebrate are Christian, i.e. Christmas and Easter.

• More structured room for social positions and action.
• I believe Harold does a tremendous job guiding us in the personal aspects of religious life. I wish we were a little less shy about the religious aspects of current political life.
• I am disappointed that more hasn't happened around the election, what is happening to democracy in our country - i.e. lack of dialogue and the Iraq war -
• Stronger stand on peace. Stronger stand against the cause of poverty and unequal opportunity -

• Continue to explore ways to connect people in small groups, ways of getting to know others.
• Offer as many opportunities to interconnect people at FRS.
• More ways for people to connect and know each other.

• Ever more respect for individual differences and less emphasis on conforming to particular view points.
• We should be open to all views - not just left leaning ones, otherwise we become just like the people we feel are closed minded.

• More committee involvement by a greater number of people.
• More people could be involved in the work.

• Would like to see this church reach out to ages 30-40, our young adults, perhaps a service for them on Sunday evening - they do this in Boston.
• By finding additional ways to tell our story to people who are UU's, but don't know it yet, an. all the residents of our area.
• Increase in congregation size - without losing what makes FRS wonderful.
• A more ethnically mixed group ( i.e. Blacks, Asian, etc.) would reflect actual society.

• I would like to see a return of artists displaying their work.
• Would like an art program by day.

• More democratic parish committee.
• The committees themselves need help, and the nominating process needs to be reconsidered.
• I am deeply concerned that the governance structure is seriously inadequate for the size of our congregation, that there seems to be a minimal sense of what the Parish Committee is striving to accomplish and to what end. This can be dangerous if the congregation finds itself facing a crisis.

There were a number of miscellaneous recommendations, such as "better coffee" and "less wrangling among members"

Improvement? (19)

Not surprisingly, given the very positive tenor of the entire survey, nineteen respondents offered comments suggesting that we are doing just fine as is.

• I can't think of any improvements. The First Religious Society is everything I think a church should be.
• I must say I'm pleased with it the way it is.
• Very pleased with the general state of the Society. Many members with the energy and willingness to participate and lead; the primary strength of the church.
• I like it pretty much the way it is.