On Sunday, October 1, 12:30p.m. there will be a forum in the Sanctuary with updates about the poll to rank the most popular alternative names. At the AGM on November 19, you will be asked to vote your preference – to keep our present legal name of The Unitarian Church of Vancouver or the most popular alternative name. A vote of 75% will be required for a change. Otherwise we will keep our current name.
Background
The Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC) lists 41 member organizations: 14 Fellowships, 12 Congregations, 9 Churches, 4 Unitarians*, 1 Spiritual Centre, 1 Other.
*In 2004 the Board, in consultation with members, unanimously decided to reduce in prominence our official title of Church on the website, logo and banner. The CUC website does not identify us by our legal name of Unitarian Church of Vancouver but by who we are –Vancouver Unitarians. CUC does the same for Kelowna Unitarians, Saskatoon Unitarians, and Calgary Unitarians. Their websites also downplay their legal name, identifying as who they are.
Is this a sufficient compromise for our members who want us to be identified as a religious community but not as a “church?” And is this ok for members who want us to be known as a church? We need to continue this conversation.
If you have questions about this process, please email the task force at wdwco[at]vancouverunitarians[dot]ca.