To Our Dear Beloved Community,
Emergence – the process of coming into view or becoming exposed after being concealed. That’s the definition I found online of our worship theme for this month. I certainly feel like that describes us as we take our safe, baby steps from the confines of COVID. Fortunately, we can now look forward, create dreams, and make plans to get us there. It’s so energizing! So many things are happening now that it’s hard to decide what to list first.
Certainly at the top is the excellent work our New Home Task Force is doing! They are doing all the necessary homework to move us forward in a methodical, yet efficient way to find us an improved space for worship, RE, and community. Their recent report that they shared with us shows the depth of their work as they help us find a new and viable possibility for a place of worship. Truly an emergence!
The Stewardship Team kicked off our Pledge Drive for 2023 and sometime this month you will receive a call from one of us to check how you are doing, to ask how we are doing, and see if you have any questions about the Pledge Drive. We want to help each other fully emerge and blossom with energy and enthusiasm. Certainly creating financial stability will allow for that.
The Board of Trustees is beginning its work to develop a 5-year plan. Teams and Committees are submitting suggestions this month that will help us create something that represents all of our needs and desires. This along with a final version of our new Vision and Mission Statements will be presented at our Annual Meeting.
Our Restorative Process Facilitators – Art Holmberg, Tari Lee Sykes, Leigh Stallings, and Barbara Floeser – will take their 6 advanced training sessions from November through February. What a positive force they will provide to help us mend any conflicts that may arise.
Social Justice: We are definitely emerging in this area!
1.) Thanks to Linda and Ron Giancola for spearheading our efforts with UU the VOTE!
Hundreds of letters and postcards have already been completed and there is still time to write yours and drop them off in the back of the Sanctuary.
2.) Come check our new Little Free Library in front of the building (thank you Hal Bigelow!). Featured will be banned books for kids and the kickoff celebration is on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at 7pm in the Sanctuary. Come hear kids read excerpts from sample books, register to vote with the League of Women Voters, and enjoy music provided by our own Dan Berggren!
3.) UU Albany has invited us to join them in efforts to pass legislation providing medical aid in dying here in NY. We had several members very active with this endeavor pre-COVID and it’s time to emerge and resolve this battle. Please let me know ASAP if you are interested in getting involved with this important issue.
Please welcome Jamie Gargano as our new Director of Religious Exploration if you haven’t already! She is already reaching out to our families, preparing the basement rooms to welcome our children, and will begin activities this month. This may be the most exciting emergence that we have!
I bet you can think of other ways we are emerging: the choir is singing again – more members/friends are attending services live – fundraising fun has returned with the recent excellent recital by Jolene Crowley and Judith Thomas and a lasagna lovers’ dinner at the end of the month as starters.
Remember that if you ever have questions, suggestions, or concerns that you can always contact any board member or Rev Joe at any time. We want to hear from you!
Lucy Manning,
UUCSS President