Update from Board of Trustees

News from your

Board of Trustees

15 March 2021

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.

To attend our monthly virtual meetings, every 2nd Thursday, 5:30-7:30pm, click this link and save it on your browser.

To receive the agenda in advance, contact Communications.

Highlights from the March 11th meeting

The Board discussed the Interim Minister Survey question

“What do you want to see in the next 10 years?"

· A vibrant church with a vibrant RE program

· A growing congregation attracting young families

· UUSP as a center for social justice, adult education, and community

· Re-imagining of our role in the community beyond Sunday services

· Leadership development with an eye on sustainability

· More technologically sophisticated using media that attract younger people while valuing our sense of community and tradition

Covid Update: Though the light can be seen at the end of the tunnel due to vaccines, it remains premature to re-open.

News from Rev. Jack: UUSP has gained 5 new members during the pandemic. Rev. Jack will discontinue the Contemplative Meditations at the end of March. The next book for the Adult Religious Studies Zoom Discussion is From Beginning to End: The Rituals of our Lives by Robert Fulghum.

Rev. Jack provided his perspective and wisdom on the transition to the new minister, highlighting passages from the Transitional Ministry handbook. He answered questions from the Board, emphasizing that the most important things the Board and congregation in general can do is stay in close touch with one another and remain democratic. Three words to keep in mind are stability, helpfulness, and community. Rev. Jack recommends continuing a focus on raising questions of the developmental potentials for spiritual growth and encouraging members to understand and pursue them, to benefit of themselves, our congregation and the wider world.

Committee Reports

Giving Team: The kick-off for the 2021-2022 Annual Given Campaign will be on March 24. This year’s theme is Celebrating our UU family. Carol Ulmer outlined the schedule of events which will include newsletters, Sunday Service announcements, and videos. Members will be encouraged to pledge online. See more detail below.

Buildings and Grounds: Permitting and other related delays have impacted the kitchen renovation, now slated for completion in July.

Treasurer: Harry Sauers reported that the Church is in good standing financially with expenses running under budget primarily due to the church closure. The finance team is commencing work on the 2021/2022 budget. See more details below.

Worship Committee: Exploring the pros and cons of options for live streaming.

BOT Draft Meeting Minutes

Search for an Interim Minister

The Interim Search Committee (Sally Carville, Susan Burnore, and Michael Killoren) is preparing the interim search documents packet for submission to UUA in early April. (They encourage members to complete the Interim Search survey by March 17th so those insights can be included in the packet.) See guidance from Pastor Jack, above.

Once potential Interim Ministers review packets from the congregations, they will submit interest in specific positions by May 1st. The Interim Search Committee and Board will review up to nine applications and respond back to UUA by May 17th.

FAQs on the Interim Minister Role and Search Process

Search for an Office Administrator

Click here for the job posting and contact information.

FY2021-22 Budget and the

Annual Giving Pledge Campaign

PROCESS: Board Treasurer Paul Craig anticipates distributing budget packages and meeting with committee chairs and budget owners between March 21-April 15. At the conclusion of the Pledge Campaign in mid-April, the Giving Team will provide revenue projections to Paul which will guide budget development. Board review and approval of the budget will occur between late April and early May with a congregational meeting and vote on the budget in late May.

BUDGET PRIORITIES: move toward fulfilling our full UUA dues, increase the Maintenance Reserve Fund, fund interim & settled minister search processes, expand RE program, provide leadership training and prepare for online worship capability.

ANNUAL GIVING PLEDGE CAMPAIGN:

The Campaign will kick off toward the end of March and allow members and friends to pledge online for greater efficiency, accuracy and security of information.

Each year, members make a pledge of financial support for the next fiscal year beginning July 1. Pledge amounts are annual and can be paid throughout the year. The theme of the campaign this year is “Celebrating Our UU Family.“ After a year of social distancing, recognizing the importance and value of UU St. Pete in our lives is a reason to celebrate.

Members are asked to be thoughtful about their pledge and consider a pledge of 3 to 5 percent of their annual income or budgeted expenses. The aspirations of the congregation are great and as UU St. Pete heads into a challenging time, members need to be as generous as they possibly can.

WHY THIS ALL MATTERS:

UU St. Pete depends on its members to financially support the congregation, its programs, staff, outreach and social justice work. Each member commits their resources - time and treasure - to fulfill UU St. Pete’s mission. Together the contributions of each will care for our spiritual selves, hold each other close, and give us the courage and resources to care for the greater world.

Meet Your Board Members

Jeanay Johnson

ex officio board member

Jeanay was born in Los Angeles, California, and has lived in Saint Petersburg, Florida for the last 15 years. She has worked with children across many cities for over 13 years. With her vast experience in child care, communications, journalism, law enforcement, health care, and civic engagement, she utilizes her love for the spiritual development of children to execute her monthly themed lesson plans to guide them on their spiritual growth. She has been involved with UU St Pete for four years, starting off as the High School Religious Education Teacher to overseeing Religious Education (RE) and Communications. She is currently working towards accreditation through the Unitarian Universalist Association.

Every day, she lives to provide a loving atmosphere for the youth as they grow. Her mission reflects the same mission that the RE department upholds:

“The purpose of RE is to foster the full spiritual and faith development of children and youth from preschool through high school so that they may lead healthy, happy lives.”