President’s Letter — November 2006

Dear Members and Friends,

Why would anyone in their right mind volunteer service to this Fellowship? Many of us lead busy, even hectic lives. Don’t we deserve the spiritual refocus of a worship service and enlightenment of a program Sunday after an exhausting week of business and family responsibilities? Why do some people work so diligently to make this organization go? Why would others want to join these busy folks by serving on a committee, or teaching in RE?

Recently Michael Schwartz and I attended a Metro UU Leadership Development Program at the UU Congregation at Shelter rock. There we heard Rev. Dr. Larry Peers talk about, “The Resilient Congregation.” His thoughts are worth sharing.

Congregations are being stretched, he says, not only to find new ways to do what we do, but also to better understand and serve the needs of our members. Resilience is needed to Grow the Soul of the congregation…and of its members.

Some might agree that Unitarian Universalism, as a faith, can support, inspire and challenge us to be resilient. But how can our little Fellowship be both resilient in its efforts, while engendering resilience amongst its members?

Rev. Peers drew from Richard Southern and Robert Norton suggesting that congregations succeed by reviewing the confluence of four systems.

The Welcoming System includes those activities and behaviors that attract newcomers to a safe and inviting environment, one that hopefully will address their reason to be out searching.

The Nurturing System provides the support a member gets to address her/his most important needs. For some it is deepening their spiritual life, for others it is finding fellowship with people of like values.

The Empowering System is our ability and focus, “to help each person discover his or her spiritual gifts and passions.” It is not just utilizing talents, but rather more like unleashing and celebrating each others talents. It is how we all engage in ministry to and for each other.

And lastly, the Serving System includes those avenues we provide for members to use their unique gifts to serve others, to grow spiritually, and emerge as servant-leaders.

So, each system feeds the next. It is more than a cyclical process, it is organic. Welcoming draws us into a desirable environment, nurturing feeds the needs that brought us to this community, empowering adds to personal and collective vitality and serving both rewards the recipient and the donor.

I asked one particularly engaged volunteer why she put so much effort into her belonging to this fellowship. Anne Sumers, a relatively new member, chairs the Membership Committee. She and the Committee have been prodigious with their greeting, new member follow up, getting to know UU opportunities, new member Sundays, a new baby welcome and support. The list is endless, as it seems is Anne’s energy. Why the effort? “I want to make friends, and become part of the community, and do useful work with others…with congenial and intelligent people.” “UU makes me part of something much larger than myself,” describes her pride for the work of the Social Concerns people in our congregation.

Another particularly committed member, Sandy Lewis, puts in countless hours week in and week out to maintain and improve our facilities. He is chair of our Buildings and Grounds Committee. Somehow despite a demanding career and while being an attentive father and husband, he finds time to (most recently) keep our furnace running and plan our November 4th Fall Clean Up. Asked why he puts in so much effort for us, he replied, “I consider the Fellowship my spiritual home, and as such it has special value to me.” He says that, “There is a long tradition of people in the Fellowship, particularly in B&G chairs, going above and beyond…” His work demonstrates, “…that we are a vibrant and passionate faith community.”

So, why do you come to this Fellowship? To make it through the week? To find or confirm your place in the world? Or to accomplish something most important to you…before you die?

Whatever your needs are, I hope you will see yourself, your benefits and your role within the welcoming, nurturing, enabling, and serving systems of this congregation. If you need help with your search, we have one wonderful reverend-minister and many wonderful member-ministers here to search with you.

The light is on, the door is open, please come in, we have much warmth to share.

Eddy Fried

President of the Board of Trustees