In this episode, we uncover the potential within community ministries that share UU values while creating sustainable revenue streams.

Our guests include:

• Reverends Anne Barker and Linda Thompson, CUC's Congregational Life Team

• Rev Wendy Luella Perkins, Founder of Soulful Singing

• Kayoki Whiteduck and Lynn Kofmel-Preston from Ajaski Project (Ottawa First Unitarian Fellowship)

• Yvette Salinas (Executive Director) and Joanna Barrington (Camp Director), Unicamp, Ontario

• Karen Dunk Green, Lay Chaplain, Toronto

  Questions for further discussion:

  1. Wendy Luella Perkins challenges us to consider the "deep whys" behind our actions as Unitarian Universalists. What are your UU group's "deep whys" for the various actions you initiate together?

  2. What feelings and thoughts arise in you in response to Anne Barker's observation, "...the reliance on volunteers and not paying fair wages to humans makes it hard to keep something vital"?

  3. What beliefs do you hold about volunteerism within spiritual communities? Where did those beliefs originate?

  4. What beliefs do you hold about paying people to work for a spiritual community? Where did those beliefs originate?

  5. What thoughts, feelings, and questions arise when you imagine UU's creating good-paying jobs to express social justice?

  6. Besides weddings and ceremonies, what other types of social enterprises might UU's be well positioned to co-create? Consider the needs in your area, your UU group's assets and talents, and the things that make your heart sing.

  7. What type of CUC membership and services could benefit UU groups engaged in community-based ministry?

  8. Karen Dunk-Green ended the episode by suggesting we need to be willing to invest upfront, believing that what we're offering up to the world is truly of value and will make its way back to us in a way that will matter. What are some courageous offerings your UU community could make that have value within the community at large?

     Notes and Research Links

     • ⁠Lay Chaplaincy⁠- Canadian Unitarian Council

     • ⁠Shawn Loney⁠- Social Entrepreneur that Anne Barker mentions.

     • ⁠Ajashki Project ⁠ at Ottawa First Unitarian Fellowship

     • ⁠Soulful Singing⁠ - Rev. Wendy Luella Perkin's online singing ministry

     • ⁠Uni-Camp of Ontario