The time is approaching for us to leave our meeting house at 624 North Broadway, which Jim Mihuta once called “the ugliest building on the city’s prettiest street.”
Built by Jehovah’s Witnesses, it’s a modest structure that’s sufficiently flawed to make us greatly look forward to moving out, but it’s filled with great memories.
In a special service last Sunday planned by the Butterfly Team and introduced by Leigh Stallings, we both honored our past and embraced our future, reflecting on the contents of the two time capsules we unearthed following the November 10 service.
The first capsule was buried in 2002 when the Rev. Linda Hoddy was our minister. The second was buried in 2013 during Rev. Thomas Michaelson’s tenure as interim minister.
For two weeks, Faye Mihuta poured through all of the messages and memorabilia from two periods in the congregation’s history spaced 11 years apart.
On Sunday, she reported what she found, opening with the poignant call that her own daughter Alie had submitted in 2002 at age nine: “Remember this building as long as you live.”
It was a fitting reminder to all of us as we prepare to leave our current home and look toward a future filled with possibility.
From the 2013 capsule, Faye recounted the story of Grace Adams, who sang her first solo in front of the congregation as a child. Grace had written, “I realized that I didn’t have to be nervous or scared because it wasn’t bad at all. I ended up having a lot of fun.” Her words captured the warmth and encouragement that UU Saratoga provides to its youngest members—a testament to the nurturing environment fostered here.
Other memories were shared from beloved members no longer with us, including Pat McEvoy and Ely Fuller. Their reflections highlighted the transformative power of community. Pat, who overcame a fear of public speaking with the support of her UU friends, and Ely, who found affirmation and welcome as both a lesbian and a mystic, reminded us of the importance of inclusivity and shared growth.
Stories of intergenerational connections, like Jillian Ehrenberg’s memory of her young daughters working alongside Murray Penney in the greenhouse, underscored the ways UU Saratoga has created opportunities for members of all ages to learn and grow together.
The white PVC containers in which the contents were stored performed their jobs well. The messages and mementos that the Butterfly Team displayed on two tables at the front of the sanctuary were in pristine condition and were enjoyed by all of us following the service.
Submitting Your Memories and Hopes
“We are at a significant moment in the history of the life of this congregation,” noted Rev. Joe in closing. “Especially in the context of our turbulent times, now is a good time to reflect and remember, to give thanks and to hope. We want to record what you share both to inform our current projects and as something we can put in a new time capsule that we bury at 400 Louden Road.
“What is a favorite recollection of yours of your time spent with this congregation?” he continued. “You might share a reflection about a special event, personal interactions, favorite sermons or services, or any other heartfelt memory.
“As we anticipate the congregation’s transition time, what hopes do you have for UU Saratoga? What would you love to see happen during our transition time? What wishes, dreams, or intentions do you have for UU Saratoga in the years ahead?”
Submissions may be left in the designated box at the back of the sanctuary or submitted on this web form.
Whether it’s a photograph, a written reflection, or even a child’s drawing, your contribution will help future generations understand and cherish the vibrant community we are today.
As Rev. Joe put it: “What we share now will echo forward, helping those who come after us to see not only what we were but what we dreamed to be.”
May our dreams and memories carry UU Saratoga into a future as rich and welcoming as its past.