As a new, occasional feature of this blog, I’ll be sharing some favorite Web sites created for UU congregations in Prairie Star District. Here’s one to look at. It’s the web site of Minnesota Valley UU Fellowship in Bloomington, Minnesota. You can find it here: http://www.mnvalleyuu.org/ and here’s why I like it.
One – our UU values are stated right up front. “We are a Green Sanctuary candidate. We are a Peace Site. We are a Welcoming Congregation.” And those statements are links that take you to the explanations, with photos!
Two — right in the middle of the screen, you see “Welcome, Visitors” with a short explanation about the congregation being in transition and a statement welcoming newcomers, with a commitment to meeting their needs.
Three – as you scroll down, the next thing you see is the Sunday schedule, with links to the current Sunday service topics and other program information. Again, the heading is “Join Us on Sunday,” which is hospitable and inviting.
Four – there is a wealth of information on this site, including a section on the sidebar that says, “What’s the Latest [the newest information that's been added] and the Best”
10 Things I’m Particularly Proud Of
A Huge Step Forward
A Rolling, 3-Hour Worship Service
“Recognized as Centers of Learning on Ethical Issues”
Everyone’s Birthday is a Very Special Day!
Now We Wait
Why Take an Online Workshop?
Who Says Hoosiers Can’t Be Converted?
Black Friday and UU Values: Making Yourself Known
Another Breakthrough Congregation in Prairie Star!
Making Yourself Known
On the Road in September
Photos from Fall Leadership Conferences
Camp StarTrail August 2 – 7, 2009
Photos from Bismarck visit
Sun and Moon and 180 Degrees of Sky
Standing on the Side of Love
Topeka Congregation Featured in News Article
Hot Potato, Anyone?
Seen at General Assembly 2008
Floodwaters in Iowa
Why This Ministry Matters
Look for the people in the lime green t-shirts!
Going Green in the North Country
And Now, in News of Religion from Elsewhere…
Meeting the need for intimacy in a growing congregation
Great Idea for Youth Groups
Photos of the District Board – April, 2008
Another Congregation Featured in Local Newspaper
Green Construction Garners Publicity for UU Congregation
No Scarcity of Good Ideas
A Dry Spell in Blog Land
All Too Common and Totally Preventable
2nd in Web site series
Hello from the southern-most part of the Midwest
Big Ideas for Small Congregations – a new resource!
It’s January, and a new series begins!
Happy Holidays!
A Companion for the Journey
A Story from the Past
Chalice Lighters Announces a New Fund
Is It True? Is It Kind? Will It Help?
Here If You Need Me
50 Years From Now
Starting a New Congregation
Down the roller coaster, at lightning speed!
Creatures of the Bottom of the Sky
Running at Full Speed
Photos from Shalom Hill Farm
Our Weekend on the Prairie
Hello and Welcome!
Camp Planning is now underway!
On the Road Again
Universalist Minister on Trial for Heresy? Yes, it happened!
Getting Ready for the Coming Wave
Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times
We’re Proud of What We Do, but We’re Not Satisfied
Just Treading Water, part 4
Just Treading Water, Part 3
P.S. to my May 4 post
Just Treading Water isn’t Enough, Part 2
Just Treading Water isn’t Enough
Another Great Idea from One of our Congregations
Read this! It will make your day!
The One-Hour Choir
Democracy in Action
When Life Gives us Bad News
Leadership Without Easy Answers
Why They Come to Church
Jeopardy and your typical District Executive
Laughter is the Best Medicine
Hello world!
. There are photos of the staff members and sections written by the interim minister, the director of religious education, the minister of music, and so on.
By exploring this web site, you could learn much more about the congregation than you could just by visiting on Sunday morning. Indeed, that’s probably one of thoughts behind the web site – that the newcomer who looks over the web site will have the opportunity to do some self-selecting before getting in the car to drive to a Sunday service.
At the bottom of the page, there are links to directions and a calendar. I noticed that updates were made to the site just today.
This is very well done and represents a terrific commitment by the Webmaster and all who provide the information that goes on it. I’m impressed!
This entry was posted on January 4, 2008 at 11:12 pm and is filed under congregational life, effective congregations, for leaders in congregations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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