When the First Unitarian Church of Victoria, British Columbia, decided to overhaul its church policies, it was guided by a manual from East Shore Unitarian Church of Bellevue, Washington. Many of the 10 Pittsburgh-area congregations meet quarterly. In Cincinnati, six congregations meet regularly. Last year they had a combined Sunday service at a downtown auditorium, boosting enthusiasm and self-esteem. Congregations in many metro areas, including Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, also share advertising dollars.
Some congregational clusters have a common Web site to help prospective visitors find a church.
Some congregational sharing comes from individual yearnings. Marjorie Rice, a professional caterer in the Shawnee Mission UU Church in the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, Kansas, had always wanted to do a dinner and invite the other area congregations. In Kansas City, Missouri, John Blevins of the Fulfilling the Promise committee at All Souls UU Church had been looking for a way to reach out to other congregations. The congregations shared information on membership committee procedures, caring committees, and other topics. There have been 30 accesses to this page since March 30, 2001.