Starting mid-February, UUFVB is taking its story public — with a full-blown media campaign intended to reach prospective members and encourage them to join us on “Welcoming Sunday,” slated for March 4.

With media ads appearing in print, radio, direct mail, and social media; prospective members are being invited to “Bring your Mind,” “Bring your Doubts,” “…your Questions,” “…Fears,” “…Dreams,” and more.  Our ads encourage people to “come prepared to think freely, speak freely, and ask questions in a place where others ask questions, too.” Our message promises “a community of open-minded friends who share your hopes for tomorrow — and are doing something about it.” Finally, the ads pledge, “you’re welcome just the way you are.”

“Right now, the situations in Washington and elsewhere around the world are troubling for so many people,” observes Scott Alexander, our minister.  “These people never imagined that polarizing politics could undermine society’s core standards of decency and challenge our respect for diversity, gender, and basic human rights.

“Nowadays, too many people feel estranged from old friends and institutions that once provided them comfort and support,” adds Scott.  “They are unaware that our local faith community understands their situation and delivers a positive, refreshing alternative. For this reason, we are making an extra effort to let them know they are welcome here.”

According to Earle Beasley, a long-standing member who has organized these ads, “Our media investment has the potential of touching every household in the county with one or more messages. This may be the most coordinated mass communications campaign ever staged by a local church. While I am always reluctant to speculate on the likely turnout, we could be very pleasantly surprised. We need to be prepared, whatever the outcome.”

While we are focusing on bringing guests to this March 4 worship service and the social gathering that follows in the Fellowship Hall, we are also extending an invitation to everyone, anytime.  Expect we will see other visitors coming our way for months to come.

IDEA! This could be an ideal time for each of us to find a neighbor who would enjoy learning something new about UUFVB.  Let’s take the opportunity to see how many new faces we can have on board for worship on March 4.