Looking back on three years of serving as the President of your Board of Trustees, the word that comes to mind is "intensity." First Universalist does not sit still.

We had already begun the quiet phase of our capital campaign in the fall of 2016, when my service as President began. More than a dozen congregants, committed to the future of our Church, stepped forward to take on leadership roles in the campaign. They barely flinched when weekly meetings were set for 8 a.m. on Sundays.

Then there was that election. 1,100 people worshipped together in our sanctuary in the two services that following Sunday. Again, congregants stepped forward to lead a Sanctuary and Resistance Team. By February 2017, we had responded to the campaign of hatred against immigrants by voting to become a Sanctuary Church.

Our work on the capital campaign continued unabated. Despite a recent setback, the campaign has been the most successful fundraising campaign in the history of this Church.

In the fall of 2017, yet more volunteers worked with Jen Crow and our architects to begin implementing the vision of our capital campaign. At the Board level, we entered into profound conversations about our ministers' request to transition to co-ministry. We had deep conversations about our racial justice mission and the imperative laid out for us by our Change Team that we move swiftly toward bringing a minister of color onto our staff. We also tackled a revision of our church bylaws.

I had thought, when I was asked to serve a third year as president, that we might be entering a period of quiet, perhaps a time of building capacity for a next great challenge. I should have realized that is not how we roll at First Universalist!

So instead we have been engaged in a period of complex discernment over whether to co-locate with Shir Tikvah. Like all the other great work of this church, I actually play a rather small role in the week-to-week activity. But I have the privilege of occupying the best seat for observing how we engage on big issues. Hearing the vision and wisdom of our ministers. Watching our lay leaders roll up their sleeves. Listening to congregants voice their concerns. Having deep and honest conversations with our Board of Trustees about where we are going. There is a tremendous power in coming together to do the work and in doing it well.

I serve and have served on several boards. None have been as fulfilling as it has been to work with our Trustees these past three years. Our Trustees are thoughtful, dedicated, sensitive, honest people who give fully of themselves to our church. Mostly we agree. When we sometimes have vigorous discussions, they are always grounded in mutual respect. They make it appear as though I am leading when in fact I am just communicating their well-considered direction. Your trust in their leadership is well-placed.

One of the privileges of church leadership is the opportunity to work closely with Justin and Jen. Their vision is remarkable; their commitment to our Church is unshakeable. Few people see how hard they work or how much they carry. I am a better person for having been able to walk alongside them.

Thanks to all of you, the members and friends of First Universalist, for your trust and support. It has been my pleasure to serve you.  

Eric Cooperstein

President, First Universalist Board of Trustees