The Sanctuary Leadership Circle (LC) welcomes the opportunity to send this newsletter to you in order to
share updates
on what the LC has been focused on for the past few months, provide updates, and to
extend a personal invitation
to each and every one of you
to meet with the LC on January 11 (11 - 2).
The LC is committed to transparency and open communication with our membership. We are a new team of six individuals committed to navigating challenges together, while continuing to seek what we believe are Sanctuary’s best interests. In the spirit of transparency and open communication, we want to keep you informed of what’s happening week to week (you can read our minutes anytime and/or attend meetings) and share both the ministry progress as well as conflicts and challenges we face, when appropriate and necessary.
We are excited to announce the hiring of Bailey Henderson in the role of Office and Media Administrator. Alex Wang has been training Bailey and will end his work with us on December 31. We encourage you to stop by or give a call to the church to both welcome Bailey and say goodbye to Alex.
Last summer, the congregation approved a budget line item for a Ministry, Leadership, and Stewardship Development Consultant to work with us on sustainability. At the time of the Annual Meeting, the LC recommended we move Susan Corso, our grant writing consultant, into this role. Some members expressed concerns about utilizing Susan moving forward, and the new LC decided to further reflect. In August, the LC decided to explore other candidates in addition to Susan. After much reflection in October, the LC decided not to renew Susan’s contract.
Susan responded to this decision with a letter to the LC, which they experienced as unprofessional and inappropriate. In the letter Susan expressed strong feelings of betrayal, hurt, and anger, especially towards three individual LC members. The LC has spent the last couple of months processing this and deciding on the best ways to move forward after trust was broken. The LC began by making the recommendation that Wendy terminate her spiritual adviser relationship with Susan, and that recommendation was implemented as of December 1st. In summary, Susan Corso is no longer contracted in any capacity with Sanctuary UCC or Wendy.
The next step the LC agreed on was that these details be shared with you, in the interest of transparency. Moving forward, we are seeking open communication and a shared vision for Sanctuary, and we ask that you join us for a conversation with all members and friends – new and long-time – aimed at looking toward the future together, hand in hand.
The LC and Staff want to hear from you! Your ideas, frustrations, joys, pain, and hesitations about Sanctuary UCC – all of it. We are setting aside two hours in January to be available to engage with you in an open and safe space where you can spend more time getting to know us, ask questions, and share what’s on your heart. In order for this to be productive and genuine, we ask that everyone come – newer members and our long-term members – as every voice is valued. Your insights, longings, and excitement will help this LC as we plan our next steps and prepare for Sanctuary's Annual Visioning Meeting that will take place this spring. The LC has committed to participating in a retreat together in February to strengthen our team and to focus on how best to serve and support Sanctuary with common goals and vision.
You are invited and encouraged to join us for an
All-Church Listening Session
@ Sanctuary UCC
Saturday, January 11, 2020
11:00am – 1:00pm (lunch provided)
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for planning the food and space for the morning!
