Path to Membership

After a new visitor has attended several services, we begin to consider them a friend of the congregation. Friends are welcome to remain friends and continue to gather with us, pledge, and be involved in many other ways for as long as they would like. There may come a time, however, when a friend of the congregation wishes to take the next step and become an official member. The resources and information below are intended for anyone who is interested in what becoming a member entails

Your Religion 101

The following resources are available to help you familiarize yourself with and dig deeper into our Unitarian Universalist faith.

Membership Requirements

Any person who meets the following requirements may become a voting member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Cookeville:

  • ​Has reached 15 years of age
  • Is in sympathy with the congregation’s purposes and programs
  • Agrees with the principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association
  • Affirms the covenant
  • Has signed the membership book
  • Makes an annual financial contribution of record

Frequently Asked Questions

Who do I ask about becoming a member?

Any board member, as well as our minister, would be happy to speak with you further about your interest in becoming a member.

Do I have to give up my current religious affiliation/beliefs to become a member of UUCC?

No! Unitarian Universalism is a pluralistic faith. We recognize that there are many paths to truth and spiritual growth. Your beliefs, or lack thereof, will add richness t our faith community and offer new perspectives to others. As long as you are in agreement with our principles and covenant, we welcome your whole self.

What is the difference between being a friend of the congregation and being an official member?

The primary differences between being what we call a friend of the congregation (that is, someone who has been participating in congregational activities for more than a month or so) and a formal member are:

  1. Only members may vote in official congregational business (i.e. the annual budget, board elections, etc)
  2. Only members may serve on the board.

That’s it! If you are not ready to make it official yet, there is nothing stopping you from getting more involved in the life of our congregation. We welcome the joyful service of our many friends in the form service coordinating, speaking, committee involvement/leadership, small group leadership, events, and new ideas we have yet to dream of.

When is the right time to become a member?

As with so much in Unitarian Universalism, there is no prescribed “right” time to become a member. The decision to become a member of our congregation will depend on where you are in your personal spiritual journey. Many folks have made the decision to become members after attending services for one or two years, but others have done so sooner or later than that.