Winter Blessings!
This is my last post as president of CUUPS. It is time for me to step out of the role and let the next leaders step forward. It is bittersweet in many ways. This board is an incredible group of people to work with. As of January, I will become president emeritus and act as a coach to support the next people leading the organization. I have been invited to continue managing the CUUPS communications vehicles and get them back into shape. With this as my only focus, I will have the opportunity to build a team on moving it forward and letting it go, too, eventually.
It seems fitting to go into this winter period of cocooning and reflection. It has been a busy year with health changes, the death of a dear one, graduating college, a career change, and transitions in my own congregation. Winter in New England is a time for hunkering down in front of the fireplace with good books and planning for the Spring. That is exactly my plan.
I am thrilled to announce that the board appointed and welcomed to the team Susan Foster from the Blue Ridge Spirit CUUPS chapter in Ashville, NC, and Taryn Nelson Seawright from the Unitarian Church of Evanston, IL. Both are longtime CUUPS members active in their local UU congregations and the earth-centered/Pagan communities. They also have tons of leadership experience.
Susan will be training to support our chapters at all stages from inception and on. We have been looking at instituting this vital piece for a long time. Having run two chapters, one in MA and one in NC. She has a strong background in this.
Taryn is studying community ministry at Cherry Hill Seminary. She will work in various areas like event management for the UUA General Assembly and possibly bring convocations back to life. There are so many areas she is skilled in, and she is ready to serve, and the board is looking at where she can make the greatest impact.
That leaves Cat, Om, and Ron to manage the rest, and they are working on those details. One thing is clear, old paradigms of organizational leadership as we work our way out of the pandemic need redefining. These three are a dynamic trio!
I will still lead church services as invited, promoting CUUPS and building a team to manage the website and social media and create new print materials. I hope to have a functional and trustworthy group within a year. My role as a voting member of the board will no longer exist. Maybe I can even skip meetings! LOL!
Thank you all for your love and trust over the years. It means a lot; despite the ups and downs, we are still going strong as an organization. That credit belongs to all of you -– the members, chapters, host congregations, and friends of the Covenant of UU Pagans,
Enjoy this time of year, and stay in touch.
Blessings,
Jerrie Hildebrand
