Growth Through Service

What is the Goal of Growth Through Service?

Growth Through Service (GTS) taps into what connects you to Albany UU. We want to learn about you so that we can help you connect and collaborate in ways that mean the most to you. And we want to celebrate all that you bring to Albany UU. It’s a new way to approach volunteering here at Albany UU, and is being adopted by Unitarian Universalist congregations across the country, from Port Townsend, Washington to Cleveland, Ohio to East Greenwich, Rhode Island.

Service opportunities are no longer viewed from the point of view of “What can you do for the congregation?” but instead “How might volunteering at Albany UU assist you in your life journey?” and “What volunteer opportunity would you get the most out of?” Volunteers are what keep the congregation running. GTS recognizes that if members are matched with service opportunities that give them a chance to learn, grow, and connect with other members of the community in meaningful, and often profound, ways, volunteering becomes a win-win proposition for the congregation and the members alike.

What is a GTS Conversation?

Connecting, collaborating, and celebrating through GTS starts with a conversation. Our Conversation Team is committed to holding a 1-hour conversation with every member of our congregation, to be scheduled at your convenience.

The conversation is not to discuss specific service opportunities. It’s not for recruiting. The purpose of this conversation is to get to know you, to find out where you are on your life journey, and to discover how Albany UU might assist you in your journey, and how it has already fit into your journey.

A prime goal of the conversations is to assure that all members are taking advantage of opportunities to connect with other members, whether that be working side by side on a social justice issue or climate action group, attending a Friday night potluck, book group, philosophy group, or one of the several opportunities for spiritual deepening such as Meaning Matters or Wellspring.

Where Do I Sign Up for a Conversation?

Sign up by sending an email to GrowthThroughService@albanyuu.org and you will receive a call from one of our conversation leaders.

Here are a few examples of volunteer jobs that you may be interested in to deepen your growth in the congregation:

Questions?

If you want to know more, talk with one of the leaders of our Growth Through Service program by sending an email to GrowthThroughService@albanyuu.org. We look forward to connecting.