Preferred content of Sunday Services

The Fellowship want to hear thoughtful ideas about ethics, values, philosophy, personal growth, and personal beliefs. We want our minister to act as a guiding light toward higher aspirations and noble motives. In addition to reconnecting us with our core values, we want examples of how we can apply these through our ethics. Furthermore, we want to relate these to our UU principles.

We also like variety and a breadth of topics. Themes that help us grow personally are welcomed, as are those that motivate us to support the world at large such as through Social Justice and environmental issues.

Well at the bottom of the list are Judeo-Christian or Earth-centered traditions, or history about UUs.

The most important UU Principles

All of the 7 UU Principles are either somewhat or very important to nearly every UUFSD member. The differences in preferences are slight. Two-thirds of all members rated all of the principles as “Very important to me”, giving it a 5 on a 1 to 5 scale. The inherent worth and dignity of every person and justice, equity, and compassion in human relations received the broadest acclaim, with 80% of the fellowship giving these their highest rating.

Important Ministerial functions

This Fellowship is clear that it wants a minister who will preach, while at the same time acknowledging that ministers fulfill many functions. Although preaching has a clear majority, most members also  say three other functions are important: building community within the congregation, personal interaction, and promoting UU principles.

This Fellowship wants a minister who can help us get along with each other. This clear message was shouted out by 97% saying that building community within the congregation would be a very important or somewhat important function of the minister.

Several other functions are also important to many members. These include personal counseling, social justice leadership, community outreach, and religious exploration (RE) for adults as well as children.

The function ranked as least important for the minister: committee work/participation. It’s not that members don’t want the minister involved in day to day affairs. They do, although more as an inspiration, guiding light, and team builder, than as an administrator or commitee member.

Survey question: How unimportant or important are the following ministerial functions?

What were the major reasons you first attended UUFSD?

When asked what brought them to UUFSD, two reasons stood out for over half the fellowship: UU beliefs and sense of community. The members of this fellowship believe in the UU principles, and want to share their exploration and expression of those beliefs with others who have that in common. They may or may not agree on other matters: belief systems, politics, child-rearing, foreign policy, global warming, or who makes the best fish taco in San Diego. But, they’re eager to discuss these and other matters with others who have like-minds as to mutual respect and other principles, and at the same time celebrate and honor unique minds with independent perspectives.

Wanting to make a difference in the world is a core interest, from Social Justice activities to seeing that the next generation has a solid foundation.

Although the UUFSD site with its outdoor amptheater is unique, it’s not mentioned as the first draw for members.