President’s Letter — November 2007

Dear Members and Friends

The Board, staff and committees of this fellowship have responsibilities that are sometimes mundane and not without challenge to sustain the facilities and programs you expect. This maintenance role is important, but cannot dominate our focus.

I like to read and reread our UU Principles and our Fellowship Mission. I cite them often. Our true challenge is to convert those written words to life, to change our lives and those of others, on Sunday mornings, and through the week, in our homes and in our communities and to make this a better world for future generations. As such, we are in the business of transformation. This is spiritual work that goes on seven days a week.

Recently I met with a group of prospective members. I indicated that in the past some new members felt pressed into service, to immediately join a committee and get to work. I saw some smiles of acknowledgement around the circle. I apologized for the perhaps overly zealous enthusiasm of some of our recruiters. I know that I needed some time before I “volunteered” my services when I joined my first UU in 1989. These recruiters believe that members tend to feel more at home when they actively engage in the Fellowship by teaching in RE, joining a committee, an interest group, and a Community Circle. This may be true.

Here is another perspective: Everyone has strengths and gifts. We need to provide opportunity for our members to reveal and apply these strengths and gifts in the service of our mission. Done right, there is personal satisfaction in the service and appreciation of the gift. Everyone wins. And we become even more vital and zealous in pursuit of our mission. Each gift celebrates, “The inherent worth and dignity of every person.”

So where do we apply these “gifts” so that we can engage in the business of transformation? Your Board of Trustees has a set of Goals and Objectives. Our first is to bring the Religious Education of our Children and Youth to the forefront of our congregation. Next we want to expand our support to families with young children, teens, and with aging parents. Small group ministries have 80 participants; community circles must be available to all. We want to expand the music experience and participation in our congregational life. We want to provide a welcoming religious home to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transvestite (glbt) members of our community. We want to encourage sustainability as an expression of our faith.

There is more. If you have strengths or gifts in these areas or others, please let one of us know. Being in the business of transformation is a large responsibility. The work is hard, the rewards are HUGE. And the spiritual work of this congregation goes on seven days a week.

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