News from your
Board of Trustees
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To keep you informed on the actions and activities of your UUSP Board,
we feature highlights from the most recent Board meeting, Board member profiles, financial information, details on specific initiatives, and more.
Monthly virtual meetings are every 3rd Wednesday, 6:30-8:30 pm.
To submit agenda items, receive the agenda and the link in advance, email Bill Motter by noon on 2nd Tuesday
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Message from Board President |
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In December, many in our community received emails from Rev. Jack Donovan about his exit interview, which was conducted according to a UUA format and with reassurances of its confidentiality. Your Board continues to be very concerned about the tumult caused by this perception of unfairness to a highly regarded and beloved minister. But we are also alarmed by the breach of UUA rules that these emails represented.
At the town hall held on January 9, 2022, members voiced similar concerns. Meeting minutes have been posted on the UUSP shared Google drive and are available to members by clicking here. We have also heard from people who were hurt, some by his past actions, some by perceived breaches of process.
After much deliberation among members of the Board, we composed a letter to Congregants about their concerns and about our upcoming direction including interim work, which will look at some of the issues raised. (This work will be led by the transition team of Michael Pohl, Beth Stombaugh, Sabine Von Aulock, Rebecca Wilson and Rev. Ben Atherton-Zeman. )The letter was mailed to each UUSP member household and staff on January 23rd.
Each of you will have the opportunity to participate in the interim work, and I sincerely hope you will choose to do so. ~ Karen Coale
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Feature Story:
The work of the Worship Committee
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The Worship Team works with our minister to present meaningful worship services every week. Team members assist Rev. Ben as Worship Associates - they handle readings and other parts of the service, like Joys and Concerns, chalice lightings, etc. The team also provides the entire service on about 20 Sundays a year, coordinating with the Religious Education and Social Justice teams.
Our meetings include discussion of this question: What does our congregation need most right now from our team? Currently, we think the answer is three things: Connection, Comfort and Hope.
Committee meetings are at the church and on Zoom every third Wednesday of the month. New members welcome! Email or phone Susan at 770-480-0200 if you’d like to join in!
Current committee members include: Susan Burnore, John Motter, Bill Motter, Jamie Grey, Ayliah Cannon, Beth Stombaugh, Morgan Gresham, Michael Pohl, Jon Arterton, James Mack, Jeanay Johnson, and Rev. Ben Atherton-Zeman.
~ Susan Burnore, Worship Committee Chair
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Highlights from the Jan. 19 Meeting |
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Karen Coale reviewed what has been accomplished for membership reengagement. New member orientation classes, conducted by Rev. Ben and Rev. Ayliah Cannon, will be held on Jan. 21 and 28. Many members participated in the MLK Jr. Day Dream Parade. Six Board members and team leaders attended a UUA workshop on shared ministry. Karen applauded Rebecca Wilson for updating our PowerChurch member database; we currently have 143 members and 119 households. Rev. Ben reported that several members completed the UUA Beloved Conversations Workshop. The next level class involves the congregation and has the purpose of making anti-racism a spiritual practice.
In the Treasurer’s report, Paul Craig and Trish Burch reported that our operating revenue is 12.5% under budget due to a shortfall in pledge income, property rental, and fundraising. Due to the pandemic, the latter two may not catch up. Operating expenses are 19% under budget primarily due to the delay in opening the church. Overall, due to investment income, we are showing a surplus. The kitchen project is still tracking under budget as completion nears.
The Interim Process has begun! Rev. Ben had the first meeting with the Transition Team (Michael Pohl, Beth Stombaugh, Sabine Von Aulock, and Rebecca Wilson). They are beginning the transition work by delving into our congregational history.
The five steps for interim work include:
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Claiming and honoring the congregation’s past and healing its grief and conflicts.
- Illuminating the congregation’s unique identity, its strengths, its needs, and its challenges.
- Clarifying the multiple dimensions of leadership, both ordained and lay, and navigating the shifts in leadership that accompany times of transition.
- Renewing connections with available resources within and beyond the UUA.
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Enabling the congregation to renew its vision, strengthen its stewardship, prepare for new professional leadership, and engage its future with anticipation and zest.
Sharon Winters spoke about the Facilities Master Plan Review Process. There was a 31% response rate to the member survey. Respondents signaled that accessibility was very important and the elevator took top place in the rankings. See the next Renew-Restore-Rejuvenate newsletter for details. The next steps will be to work with architect Martin Gold to develop project proposals including detailed scope of work and estimated costs for top projects.
2022 is proving to be a busy and challenging year!
~ Karen White
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Get to Know Your Board Members |
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Jeanay Johnson
ex officio Board Member, Religious Education & Communications Coordinator
"Hello, all! My 2021 was quite the ride. My daughter turned ten years old! She is now officially one decade on this planet we call Earth. As I type this, I search for the words to share with you all. A lot of lessons and experiences have transpired, and for each one, I am grateful to be able to learn from them. Though many enlightening experiences have been seen, some also pull on my heartstrings, such as my position as the Religious Education Coordinator. I miss my kids dearly. It has been a tough road, listening and learning from other RE Directors across the nation. We are all experiencing a lot of the same. We do our best to support one another and assure that we each are here and we share the same feelings. I have completed my first year of seminary school on a lighter note. This journey has been excellent. The people I meet to have theological conversations with are inspiring. We all come from different faiths, spiritual or religious beliefs, yet we can hold open-minded talks to educate one another about our perspectives. It is mindblowing. The more I learn, the more I realize I don't know. That proclamation alone continues to carry me."
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Editors' Choice: The Long Read |
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Highlighting stories that align with UU values. |
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"Today, we are supercompetent when it comes to efficiency, utility, speed, convenience, and getting ahead in the world but we are at a loss concerning what it's all for" writes Leon Kass in his 2017 book Leading a Worthy Life. In this podcast (also available as a transcript), David Brooks and Kass grapple with the question "What does it mean to live a meaningful life?" -- Sharon
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Upcoming Virtual
Board Meetings
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Co-Editors
Board Member
RE & Communications Coordinator and ex officio Board Member
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