Our congregation’s desire for deeper connection, relevant discussion, and community engagement came through clearly in the recent Sunday Service Planning Survey. Presented by longtime survey researcher and new community member Laura Kalb at the May 7 Coffee Chat, the survey gathered insights from 68 individuals—about half of UU Saratoga’s active members. Drawing on her 35 years of experience, Laura emphasized that the survey is not an end in itself, but a beginning: a tool for shaping our summer programming, guiding future worship planning, and supporting our transition to interim ministry. The strong response signals a congregation ready to help shape what comes next.

What We Want to Explore on Sundays

The survey’s open-ended questions produced nearly a hundred unique ideas, which Laura thoughtfully grouped into broad thematic categories. Three themes rose to the top:

• Current Issues and the World Around Us: The most frequently cited topic, mentioned by 16 respondents, was a desire to address contemporary challenges—political, social, and global—and explore their impact on our daily lives and moral commitments.
• Spirituality: Close behind with 15 mentions, this theme reflects a hunger for connection to the deeper dimensions of life. It also opens a conversation about what spirituality means in our UU context.
• UU Values and Principles: Twelve respondents called for renewed focus on the foundational tenets of our faith—justice, equity, compassion, and the interdependent web.

Other themes that sparked interest included our congregation’s internal life and stewardship (9 mentions), social justice (8), and sustaining hope, resilience, and positivity (6).

As Laura noted, any grouping of open responses is subjective, and the full list of responses will be made available for anyone wishing to explore them further.

Who We Want to Hear From

When asked what types of speakers they would like to hear from, respondents showed remarkable openness to diverse voices:

• Guest UU Ministers topped the list, with 72% saying they were very interested.
• Spiritual Leaders from Other Faiths (58%), scientists, technologists, or ethicists (51%), and UU Saratoga members (50%) all earned strong interest.
• Nearly 80% of respondents were at least somewhat interested in every speaker type presented.

Roughly one-quarter of respondents offered specific names. Among those mentioned were John Fisher (three times), along with Mark Long, Dan Forbush, Paul Phillips, Murray Penny, Joseph Bruchac, and Reverend Ana Levy Lyons. These names offer a promising starting point for summer and fall invitations.

Spirituality: A Rich and Open Question

Of all the themes, spirituality stood out as both essential and intriguingly undefined. “I personally have a really hard time knowing exactly what that means,” Laura said during the Coffee Chat. “When they say they want a service on spirituality, what are they looking for?”

It’s a question we can answer together. Ideas shared during the discussion pointed to transcendent experiences, awe, wonder, connectedness, and the importance of relationships. Others mentioned links to values like hope, mindfulness, tolerance, and resilience. Rather than shy away from its ambiguity, our congregation can treat spirituality as a conversation—an evolving expression of what gives us depth and purpose.

Reimagining Summer: Lay-Led and Beyond

The summer months present a special opportunity. The survey revealed a 60% openness to experimenting with non-traditional Sunday formats: 30% strongly supported the idea, and another 30% somewhat supported it. While many still value traditional worship, there’s room to try new things.

Ideas discussed included:

• Lay-led services that encourage deeper engagement, even if they vary in tone and style.
• Creative gatherings like a Blessing of the Animals, outdoor services, and small group walks.
• Post-service opportunities for connection, such as committee tables or discussion circles.

One member captured the spirit of this opportunity, saying these formats “could be uneven, but also deepen faith and engagement.”

Stewardship and Local Action

Stewardship received nine mentions in the survey—fewer than other themes, but deeply resonant. John Fisher suggested approaching stewardship in ways that are “uplifting and fun, rather than something we might dread,” acknowledging both the necessity and the potential joy of sustaining our congregation.

This connects to a broader interest in local activism and community engagement. Survey respondents imagined UU Saratoga “leaving the building” to partner with nonprofits, host events, and use our space for the common good.

Support During Transition

Laura framed the survey’s purpose around one vital question: What do you all need to feel connected and supported until we have our interim minister? That question now guides summer planning. Retired UU minister Reverend Tom Chulak has stepped in to help, offering pastoral listening sessions on May 30 and May 31. These conversations are intended to support individual reflection and community healing—a way to honor both where we’ve been and where we’re going.

Next Steps

• The full survey results, including verbatim responses, will be published in Journey Well for congregational reflection.
• The Worship Committee will invite speakers named in the survey and plan creative alternatives to Sunday services during the summer.
• Deeper conversations on spirituality and other key themes will be encouraged throughout the summer and beyond.

A Roadmap for Renewal

This survey has provided us with more than data—it has offered us direction. It’s a mirror reflecting what matters to us as a congregation: staying grounded, staying curious, and staying connected.

As we move through this season of change, let’s continue the conversation together. Share your ideas. Attend the services that speak to you. Step into leadership if you’re called. And above all, help shape a future for UU Saratoga that is rooted in shared values, spiritual curiosity, and beloved community.