Ministerial Search Committee Update 

The Ministerial Search Committee (MSC) was launched at a retreat in June led by St. Lawrence District Settlement Representative Rev. Priscilla Richter. We built ourselves as a team, as well as receiving our marching orders.

Our roles are these:

• Connie Valk-chair from now until January and hospitality for pre-candidates and final candidate
• Lisa Gwinner-chair from January to May and packet editor/distributor
• John Wellin- "neutral pulpit" scheduler for ministerial pre-candidates and reference checker
• Chris DeGolyer-secretary
• Tom Ruganis-treasurer
• Sarah Singal-congregational record processor
• Lauretta Young and Dolores DaLomba-survey coordinators

If you would like to know what these roles involve, ask us.  The MSC has also placed copies of the MSC Handbooks in our church library, if you want to know the fine details. The UUA, from its long experience with church transitions, has developed guidelines to keep the search process fair for both churches and ministers. The guidelines also make MSC's job easier.

In July we have been working on the MSC's covenant, which describes the committee's purpose and how we plan to accomplish it. Although confidentiality rules require that we not reveal any names of possible candidates, we pledge to keep you fully informed about our progress during the year. One of our tallest tasks is to represent you, the congregation, to potential candidates in the best way possible. We plan to survey the whole congregation in September, as well as hold cottage meetings, so that you can tell us how you see the congregation's strengths and challenges and also what characteristics you want to see in our next minister.

Social Justice Committee

The next Social Justice Committee meeting will be on Monday, July 15th at 5:45PM. The meeting will take place in the Volunteer Room. For more information contact Eric Van Dusen at [email protected].

Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network (RAIHN) Host Week

RAIHN is a non-profit organization of faith communities assisting homeless families in achieving sustainable independence. This is done by supporting them with resources of food, shelter, personalized case management, and a broad network of caring volunteers. Every fifteen weeks, a faith community hosts RAIHN guests in their place of worship for one week.

Our next RAIHN Host Week is August 11-18, 2013. For volunteer opportunities, please contact Chris DeGolyer at [email protected]. 

Recycling Opportunities

This church practices recycling for the usual reasons of ecology, but also to reduce the cost of refuse removal.  The city does not pick up non-resident recycling where we are in the Inner Loop, so it all has to be toted out.  The days of one or two people taking care of all of this labor are ended, and in September I will be posting a Recycling Take-out Sheet in the kitchen.  Rental households aren't expected to do this, but homeowner households only need take one or at most two rotations during the entire calendar year to get the job done with no undue burden on anyone.  

I know I don't want my pledge dollars to go toward increased refuse removal, and I doubt that anyone else does either!  Please do your part and choose a week to take your turn.  I will gladly offer suggestions if needed.  Thanks in advance!

Karen Dau

David Gloss' 70th Birthday Party

(Since there is no parking on St. Paul Blvd, and the driveway is for drop offs, consider Seneca Park Ave, Pinegrove Community Center of the High School on Cooper.)