News from your
Board of Trustees
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To keep you informed on actions and activities of your UUSP Board,
we'll feature highlights from the most recent Board meeting, Board member profiles, financial information, details on specific initiatives, and more.
Monthly virtual meetings are every 2nd Thursday, 5:30-7:30pm.
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Message from our Board President & the Interim Minister Search Committee |
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I’m speaking on behalf of the Interim Minister Search team whose other members are Sally Carville, Sharon Winters and Paul Craig.
I know everyone who has been following our search is anxious to know who is coming when, and I regret that we can’t answer those questions yet.
We have been through the two rounds of UUA's process for matching congregations with potential interim ministers. Though we met with some very appealing candidates, our matches through that process have not worked out.
As a team, it has been disappointing, but we’ve realized that our church is in a strong position for the future - maybe not with a full-time interim UUA minister arriving immediately - but with all kinds of resources from within and outside our own congregation, the Tampa Bay area, and UUA. It’s going to take longer than we’d hoped, but we’re confident that we’ll find the people to help us professionally with three key areas - our transition from Jack’s ministry to our next settled minister, the running of the church, and professional pastoral care along with Sunday morning services.
We ask for and appreciate your patience and support. We are so fortunate to have a strong Worship Committee, led by Bill Motter, dedicated to bringing us Sunday morning services throughout the summer. And we’re looking forward to a wonderful service in the sanctuary with Pastor Jack before his farewell celebration on June 27.
Thank you for being such a wonderful congregation - it is an honor to represent you in this process. -- Susan Burnore, President, UUSP Board of Trustees
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Highlights from the June 10th Meeting |
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President’s Report
Each member of the congregation was invited to a Re-Group gathering. Attendees were delighted to meet with one another after the long pandemic isolation. The Annual Meeting was successful. Appreciation is extended to all who attended by zoom (77) and at the Sanctuary (14).
Treasurer’s Report
The UUSP finances are strong, showing a current bank balance of $77,935 and YTD surplus of $44,974. Though income is $21,890 below budget, much of this is pledge shortfall and will be made up by the end of June. The surplus is due to forgiveness of our PPP loan, lowered expenses due to the pandemic, and the cancellation of our hurricane insurance by the insurer. The demands of the pandemic increased staff expenses for Office Administrator and Communications Coordinator.
Nominations
The board thanks Chris Pedersen for his year of service as Clerk. His technical expertise was an enormous asset. A replacement is sought and Chris graciously offered to help with the transition. Anyone interested in serving as clerk please contact a member of the Nominating Committee: Sarah Craig sarah.craig@uusp.org, John Motter jpmotter@gmail.com or Karen White karenannwhite52@gmail.com
Worship Committee
The committee has services lined up through August and beyond. September is the targeted month for reopening the sanctuary for live services. Equipment for live streaming has been purchased, giving options for viewing.
Re-opening Policy
A temporary Policy for All UUSP In-Person Gatherings on Church Property was approved by the Board on May 28. All gatherings of more than 10 people on church property must be approved in advance by the Board. In approving any event, the Board will consider this policy, facts pertaining to the specific event, and Pinellas County’s recommended metrics for reopening. Click here for the policy. Barbara Archibald, Bill Motter, and Karen Coale are working on formulating guidelines for staff and renters.
Mission Moment
- Karen White
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Membership & Pledge Report |
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On the eve of Pastor Jack's retirement, we're all reminded of how much our congregation has grown under his leadership:
- 25 households (32 people) have been members for more than 10 years.
- 29 households (33 people) have been members for 5-10 years.
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102 people have been members for less than 5 years.
We currently have @145 member households with 19% of those households representing two congregation members... which gives us a current membership of about 172.
The pandemic has impacted our members in many ways; there's been so much uncertainty and re-prioritizing, but many of us have found strength and support from our UUSP community. 15 households left the congregation and 7 households have joined since July 1 2020.
Pledging: For FY2020-21 pledges, as of May 31st, 92 households have fulfilled some or all of their pledge and 23 households have not yet fulfilled any of their pledge. Quarterly reminder notices went out June 7 on unfulfilled pledges totaling $26,000. 110 households have made their FY2021-22 pledge, totaling $188,000. Of those pledges, 3 are from new members, 31 are increases over last year, 16 are decreases over last year, and 60 remain the same.
~ from report compiled by Rebecca Wilson, Financial Secretary, and Carol Ulmer, Chair, Giving Team
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Last Call for UUSP delegates to the
UUA General Assembly June 23-27
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Cynthia Patterson, Karen White and Carol Ulmer will serve as UUSP delegates to the annual General Assembly. We still have one slot for a voting delegate. Click here to learn more about the virtual conference. Registration is $200/person; contact Susan Burnore if you're interesting in serving as a delegate, scholarship money is available.
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Dani Skrzypek
Assistant Financial Secretary
I grew up in NYC, lived all around the country as a young adult (San Francisco in the late 60’s) and settled in Florida with my partner, Deb, in ’95. I lived in NE Kansas for 18 years because it was a safe and inexpensive place to raise my two boys alone. While there I got an MSW and worked as a clinical social worker, a career I dearly loved. Once in Florida, Deb and I first had a coffee house (The Harmonic Turtle) but eventually I returned to school and got a master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine. I had an acupuncture practice until I retired, allowing me to travel to visit three fabulous grandchildren.
I joined the UU Fellowship of Topeka in 1989. That group of spiritual, liberal activists was life-saving in conservative Topeka! Once in St. Pete, UUSP has proven to be the same. In gratitude for what UUSP has given and taught me, I’ve tried to give back by volunteering for lots of committees, serving on the Board of Trustees, as Financial Secretary for seven years and now as Assistant Financial Secretary. I’ve even been honored to officiate at weddings and baby blessings. When Deb and I decided that 28 years together meant we were going to make it, we were lucky to have Jack still available to marry us. UUSP is truly quite central to my life.
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Upcoming Virtual Board Meetings for 2021
Respond to this email for Board minutes prior to this month.
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What do you want to hear about?
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Co-Editors
Board Vice President
RE & Communications Coordinator and ex officio Board Member
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