[printprofilepic]What an eventful year this has been! We tried out a new two-service program and recently voted to continue it next year. We finally achieved our dream of a new, beautiful, and functional kitchen. And, in the process, the kitchenette was also renovated and is making coffee hour so much more enjoyable. Following our congregational vote last October, we made much progress towards our chosen goal of building a new church. We selected a Building Project Steering Committee to head the project’s various subcommittees. The BPSC and the subcommittees have been working hard since they were formed in early January.
On Our Way …
The first major product of the Building Plans subcommittee was the draft “Charge to the Architect” that was presented to the congregation at a recent Town Hall meeting. The Charge is intended to help guide the architect selection process and later work with the chosen architect. The draft Charge was the result of input from the congregation via numerous coffee hour poster sessions, meetings with the staff, observations on the ways in which we use our current building, and many long hours considering and drafting a description of a new building.
Our UUA consultant, Mary Gleason, has proved to be an invaluable resource. Mary recently spent a long weekend visiting our church and meeting with the BPSC, the various subcommittees, the Architect Selection Task Force, the board, the minister and staff, and other individuals. The weekend culminated with a Congregational Town Hall meeting. Based on her work with us so far, Mary has said that she believes we are on the right path and that we will get our new building.
General Assembly and UUA Elections
General Assembly will be held in Salt Lake City from June 24 to June 28. You can take a look at the agenda and other information here: <http://www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/>.
If you didn’t attend the May 21 discussion on the UUA Candidates, you can visit the following web site for a video of the UUA Candidates Forum sponsored by the Mountain Desert District at First Unitarian in Denver this March. The site also contains extensive information about the upcoming elections and useful links. <http://www.uua.org/aboutus/governance/elections/index.shtml>.
Stewardship
Thanks to all of you for your pledges and to all who came forward with increased pledges or one-time donations! This was not an easy year for many churches and your faith in our congregation has carried us through a difficult time.
Joyce’s Retirement Party
Joyce’s Retirement Party was truly a spectacular event, with the multi-colored tablecloths, flowers, beautiful cakes, heavily laden potluck buffet, and so many of our congregation and out of town guests in attendance. I really enjoyed hearing the wonderful memories and stories shared by the speakers. We will miss our DRE but I am happy that we could show her how much she is loved and appreciated! I will remember fondly our planning meetings (that we hoped Joyce wouldn’t notice!) and really appreciate all the imagination, wonderful ideas, and just plain hard work that so many of you contributed. Thanks to all of you who helped to make this event possible.
New Interim DRE
Our Interim DRE Benette Sherman begins her work with us on July 15. Like Joyce, she is a Credentialed DRE and has many years of experience. We are fortunate to have found such a qualified person to guide our popular RE program through the next two years.
Hello and Farewell
We have an excellent incoming Board taking office on July 1 with Rebecca Howard as your president. The outgoing and incoming Boards have met together a couple of times now, once at the May Board meeting and also during Mary Gleason’s visit. There is much work ahead as we continue to look toward and plan our future. The Board vice-president, Dean Carstens, will be your new Council chair.
Please be thinking about what committees you might enjoy being involved with. It is a great way to get to know people and there are many interesting projects and tasks, large and small, essential to making our church community such a wonderful experience. And, as we take our various paths this summer, perhaps you will also have some time to think about our congregation, what has defined us in the past, and what may be our vision for the future.
I enjoyed being your president this year. It has been a lot of work, but doing something that I believe in, especially with so many dedicated and talented volunteers, has been a pleasure. Thank you all for your contributions in helping to make our church community such a vital, interesting, and growing place! Have a safe and wonderful summer!
Kersti Rock
2008-2009 Church President
