East Shore has a new Vision Statement!
In recognition that values, mission, and vision are foundational to how we see ourselves — now and in the future — the Board of Trustees asked the Strategic Planning Task Force to build a fresh, new vision statement for East Shore Unitarian Church in deep collaboration with all members of our community.
Our Values (Love, Interdependence, Pluralism, Justice, Transformation, Generosity, and Equity) and our Mission Statement (We practice love, explore spirituality, build community, and promote justice) are inspiring and have served us well, but our old mission statement was really just a longer version of the mission statement. We set out to build a strong, (short), shared vision statement, created among and by as many members of the congregation as possible, that would be empowering and energizing and would help us come together as we conduct the holy conversations that are the heart of strategic planning.
Through the spring of 2026 we gathered input from every person in the East Shore community we could reach. We held multiple visioning workshops, including one facilitated by the wise Rev. Tania Marquez. We listened carefully to our Senior Minister, Rev. Maria Cristina. We studied the mission and vision statements of other UU churches. We published three draft versions and conducted a poll. On June 25, 2026, the Board of Trustees approved the following new vision statement:
East Shore Vision Statement
Our vision is to become a joyful, inclusive congregation where we embrace differences, nurture spiritual growth, and work together to create a more loving, just, compassionate, and sustainable world. (June 25, 2026)
The Strategic Planning Task Force is chartered by the Board of Trustees to support the creation, articulation, and execution of a long-term strategic plan for East Shore Unitarian Church. This long-term strategic plan must advance our mission and vision and ensure our long-term sustainability overall.
The Strategic Planning Task Force is chaired by Amanda Strombom and its members include Rev. Dr. Maria Cristina, Jeanne Lamont, Mandy Glenn, David Baumgart, Martin Cox, Geri Kennedy, and Louise Wilkinson.
by Martin Cox, Secretary, Board of Trustees
Member, Strategic Planning Task Force