[Fuusmchat] Fwd: New Congregational Survey Report - Thank you for your assistance!

Mon May 4 10:12:26 CDT 2026

Sorry to bother you again, but I have a backlog of email, and this, too,
might interest some of you. I (or someone) filled out a
non-denominal church survey last year, and we requested access to the
results. Here they are.... --dawn

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations <
scott at hartfordinstitute.ccsend.com>
Date: Tue, Apr 28, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Subject: New Congregational Survey Report - Thank you for your assistance!
To: <fuusm.office at gmail.com>

Congregational health is improving

Hartford Institute for Religion Research | Hartford International
University | 77 Sherman Street | Hartford, CT 06105 US

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Dear Religious Leader,

Thank you again for participating in our national Congregation Survey last
fall. We are grateful for your contribution and the insights your faith
community provided. As requested, we are pleased to share the survey
results with you.

The national summary report—released just a few days ago—draws on responses
from nearly 7,500 congregations across the country, including yours. It
offers a comprehensive look at congregational life today and how it has
changed since the pandemic. This overview report is available at the 2025
survey report page
<https://8yslzbdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001zBGmXdLx68NBkrM4YLPe35gifkjK1fpxY1tvKA7_0Ixx4naXFdnVTFTbQsS_sSGbKyv0a6sN0PkrK8R1SZjMESO5wygeT_3YPThVWeBZxPEdnthGxJG55CK99hwi1nD3BaM_wKidotpWOp55tp2RPPSlt7M8FcmxL8vWSVLoHDPEqt_AgopaUVVv5PntKYrM90EukAafg3MtjvUT-coxcLeP41-uRrJZIkeKj6WHpTpLoE6CknBPO5mC9RQxOCBzAxGy_aU3tNGwXdmMkwcVFA76DmWT4NKnzeWtc5MA9fpvbEYMprh27F86bttvYy-v5QElLvJUmeY=&c=77CqsDZe9AEwmdhTNoUHSzm8L1Ez0i-RI7FCeCpC2p1B_Dceq1gkfA==&ch=qEduBzK-LlyQRrOnC9W8Ua_4dC5FsYynsGqQYDliG_XGA3ji5jezIw==>
.

Titled, "Signs of Rebound Amid Uneven Recovery: The Changing Congregational
Landscape
<https://8yslzbdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001zBGmXdLx68NBkrM4YLPe35gifkjK1fpxY1tvKA7_0Ixx4naXFdnVTNYUzN1Hv-sWWU0LdhcgbrTR_3hg2foBWybBVjSpSA7TcIhvUUk4R0047hnqL6sZlgPzYOOcJq7PSDb_8ZdXpxLiPOLEJ77n3qP1ESFFSrxSyF7makcfqtC4HPnSaShoKlVEKIMXRoHknOx2kslUgn_qd7SFkX4Pfg5TONx27bV7xRortmknIxsk2Glb2-mcdg7aoszPihmFy6WXNE3lNWyC9ytjwgkZS63X2lc8ehpBV5Otx6ylh2fWIgMFmmOGcfrZGYaSwiG2b3QdRuybUVM=&c=77CqsDZe9AEwmdhTNoUHSzm8L1Ez0i-RI7FCeCpC2p1B_Dceq1gkfA==&ch=qEduBzK-LlyQRrOnC9W8Ua_4dC5FsYynsGqQYDliG_XGA3ji5jezIw==>,"
this report is the latest installment of the Exploring the Pandemic Impact
on Congregations (EPIC) project.

Among the key findings: median in-person worship attendance has risen to
70—surpassing pre-pandemic levels and marking the first increase in 25
years. Median congregational income has reached $205,000, outpacing
inflation. Volunteer participation has returned to pre-pandemic levels, and
clergy report improved physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

At the same time, the report cautions against interpreting these gains as a
broad revival. Nearly half of congregations continue to decline, and much
of the growth reflects people switching congregations rather than new
participation. Mainline Protestant congregations, and especially those with
50 or fewer attenders, remain particularly vulnerable. Even so, many
congregations, even those struggling, report renewed optimism and energy.

Overall, these findings point to a period of “reinvigoration”—this break in
long-term decline is marked by resilience, adaptation, and a cautious
hopefulness.

Read the full report at covidreligionresearch.org
<https://8yslzbdab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001zBGmXdLx68NBkrM4YLPe35gifkjK1fpxY1tvKA7_0Ixx4naXFdnVTNYUzN1Hv-sWWU0LdhcgbrTR_3hg2foBWybBVjSpSA7TcIhvUUk4R0047hnqL6sZlgPzYOOcJq7PSDb_8ZdXpxLiPOLEJ77n3qP1ESFFSrxSyF7makcfqtC4HPnSaShoKlVEKIMXRoHknOx2kslUgn_qd7SFkX4Pfg5TONx27bV7xRortmknIxsk2Glb2-mcdg7aoszPihmFy6WXNE3lNWyC9ytjwgkZS63X2lc8ehpBV5Otx6ylh2fWIgMFmmOGcf39hcSm3gGLZSduIq9WWUQ=&c=77CqsDZe9AEwmdhTNoUHSzm8L1Ez0i-RI7FCeCpC2p1B_Dceq1gkfA==&ch=qEduBzK-LlyQRrOnC9W8Ua_4dC5FsYynsGqQYDliG_XGA3ji5jezIw==>
.

Thank you again for your participation. We trust these findings are helpful
in your ministry and leadership.

Warm regards,

EPIC Research Team
[image: Constant Contact]
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-- 
Dawn Hewitt
Office assistant
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Marietta
232 Third St.
Marietta, OH 45750
(740)373-1238
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 10 a.m.--2 p.m.
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