As some of you have heard me joke, whenever a group of new members joins WES I think to myself: “Awwwww! These are my favorite new members!” And I go right on thinking that all the way until we have another group of folks joining, at which time I immediately switch my allegiance to them. (Since we just welcomed six new members this past Sunday, you know who my current favorites are…)

I think there’s something in the process of getting to know people as they make the decision to join that triggers this experience of connection and admiration in me. It’s an opportunity to hear each individual story, and to learn what they’re looking for in a community like WES. Honestly, the whole experience is humbling–I want so much for WES to live up to the hopes that each new member places in us.

(We won’t, of course. I try to talk to new members about the fact that WES will surely disappoint them at some point–because people will act in ways that are hurtful, or because the institution will make a decision they disagree with, or for any other number of reasons. And that being a member of a congregation is also partly about experiencing that disappointment and working through it, staying in relationship as we navigate difficult times. But that’s a whole other blog…)

As part of the new member process, in addition to hearing their stories and their hopes, I talk about what WES asks of them as members. And would you believe it, people actually take notes! In fact, I’ve had people quote the list back to me later on, or ask me to remind them of it. So here it is: the responsibilities of membership (for all of us, not just new people!).

(1) Come on Sundays.

Now, I’m a realist. I know that not everyone can come every Sunday–that’s just not how our lives work these days. But our time together on Sunday is our conversation as a community together. So I encourage people to come as often as they can, and to catch platform online when they’re away. To come frequently enough that they see the breadth of speakers and topics, hear music they love and music they don’t, get swept up by a call to justice and comforted by someone sharing a personal story. Basically, be part of our time together. (I do know there are some folks who love WES but for whom Sunday morning just isn’t their thing…and so for them I’d adapt this to say, look for what is your thing, the Deepening Circle or the small group or the class you teach or take…be part of the community).

(2) Find a way to serve WES.

WES can’t “run” on its own–we depend on members to teach and welcome and sing and usher. But even more importantly, membership in a congregation is so much richer when you are part of building, not just receiving. These days, we ask new members to sign up right away to just try out a Sunday volunteer activity–just once!–so they can experience being part of a team, part of creating who WES is.

(3) Find a way for WES to serve you.

For me, this is just as important as serving WES. Of course I wish that everyone loved everything at WES, and yet I know that there are times when people can feel disconnected. Perhaps they aren’t making friends, or there’s a need they have that isn’t being filled. I ask our new members to come tell me when that happens, rather than keeping it to themselves. If they feel–when they join, or at any time over their membership–that WES is not really serving them, I want to know and see if we can create something together that works better for them. (And of course sometimes we can’t, and then I want to support the person in finding a better fit for them. Even though I love when people join WES, I feel committed to helping everyone find the right place for them, whether that’s WES or somewhere else).

(4) Give financially to WES.

Our budget, and therefore everything we do at WES, depends on financial support from our members. Because we are proud to have members with a wide variety of financial situations, we have a wide variety of pledges–there’s no one right amount. Sometimes, a member experiences financial distress in a particular year and they aren’t able to give at all; of course that is just fine and they remain deeply valued members of the community. Most of us, though, can give something…and I invite each one of us to give as generously as we can, so that we can help our shared vision come to life.

There you have it. I can’t take credit for these four things, actually; I heard them first when I joined a congregation as a just-out-of-college young adult. They stuck with me, and I hope they stick with you. And I’d love to hear what you would add if you were asked to name #5! Whatever it is, I’m sure it’s just the thing that would make you my very favorite new member.

Warmly,

Amanda Poppei, Senior Leader