Mystery Worshippers
Let Us Help You Grow!
Sharing the healing and prophetic message of Unitarian Universalism with newcomers is a vital piece of the mission of every congregation that seeks to make a difference in the world. But it's not always easy to tell how welcoming we actually are. That's where Mystery Worshippers come in!
The District Office offers the Mystery Worshippers Program to help you evaluate your congregation's hospitality from the perspective that matters most: an anonymous newcomer on Sunday morning.
We have developed a thorough set of criteria to give you vital feedback on nearly every aspect of your welcoming ministry:
- Web site and other advertising
- Entryways and signs
- Printed materials
- Greeters and guest books
- Physical accessibility issues
- Children's religious education
- Intergenerational culture
- Your worship service
- Social hour
- Follow-up: phone calls, printed materials, etc.
The Mystery Worshipper program costs $50 for the requesting congregation. The two Mystery Worshippers assigned to visit and report on that congregation will do everything that a newcomer might do: check out the website, call the office for information, show up for worship service on Sunday and stay for fellowship after the service. They will then report on their experience, including any follow-up initiated by the congregation or the minister. The congregation will receive a copy of the report.
To request a visit to your congregation, use this form Request Mystery Worshipper Visit or call (617) 393-4216.
If you have questions about the Mystery Worshipper program, email sphillips [at] uua [dot] org (Rev. Sue Phillips).
Mystery Worshipper assessment forms may be downloaded in WORD or PDF
