President’s Letter - January 2009

Dear All,Happy New Year! I trust this finds you well. My letter to you this month is a short synopsis of issues that have come before the Board recently, as well as some news.

The big news, as you may be aware, is that Nenette Kress has agreed to chair the 2009/10 pledge drive!! The chairs of the 2008/09 pledge campaign, Kathy Williams and Dave Morkal, have agreed to help Nenette and provide continuity. Also helping with spreadsheets and financial calculations will be our Treasurer, Greg Kullberg. As you know, we are living in a difficult economic climate with perhaps the most vexing concern being the uncertainty and fragility that we see in traditional institutions. We cannot control the economy, but we can ensure the continuing good works of this Fellowship by honoring the call to pledge. What’s the old maxim? Every challenge is an opportunity? That is the vision I hope you’ll share. The pledge process is your opportunity to define your commitment to this community and make a statement: this Fellowship is important and I want this Fellowship to thrive, not just survive.

To help members understand the budget process, specifically issues such as timing,priorities and the nitty-gritty of our finances, the Board will host a special, informational budget meeting on January 18th - you will see the notice for this special meeting in this newsletter. The 2008/09 budget meeting this past June produced many thoughtful questions about the budget that could not be answered in the limited time allotted and so we invite you all to come and learn more about the Fellowship budget. The meeting will also provide an opportunity to answer your questions and concerns. Please join us: this is your budget.

Other news? Our Fellowship recently joined PAPA, the Peekskill Area Pastors Association. Member Emily Cunningham has volunteered her time to serve as our representative and liaison to PAPA. PAPA promotes interfaith dialogue, understanding, and service in the larger community, beyond any single congregation. Members include about 80 area faith-based groups from Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Protestant and U.U. (!) congregations who gather monthly for lunch and fellowship. PAPA performs interfaith programs for the benefit of the greater Peekskill area. Rev. Adolphus C. Lacey of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Peekskill is currently President of PAPA. Current programs include inter-faith services and observance of Thanksgiving, the Holocaust Memorial, National Day of Prayer, as well as Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. At the last meeting of PAPA plans were being prepared for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - a very special day to remember a great American. Rev. Lacey has invited members of our Fellowship to join other area congregations and attend a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebration at the Paramount Center in Peekskill on January 19th from 3 to 5 p.m. PAPA hopes that members from each area church will attend this youth-led celebration. For more information, or to RSVP your attendance, please contact Emily Cunningham at 917-940-9915. For those who want to honor Dr. King closer to home, the Croton churches are organizing an event the same day.

For members interested in getting more involved in issues of U.U. policy and governance, the Board is looking for a member to serve as our “official” designated representative for Denominational Affairs to the Unitarian-Universalist District of Metropolitan New York, Inc. As the liaison for denominational affairs you would receive notices of Metro New York events and generally try to keep our Fellowship apprised of U.U. issues occurring on the metro and national level. Does this sound interesting? Tell me if you are interested in serving in this position or need additional information.

Two representatives from RE, Marge Grimm and Susan Cuccinello, met with the Board at our last meeting and discussed the pressing need for more members to participate in teaching. RE enrollment is booming and we need more teachers. Providing a meaningful religious education is one of our paramount priorities and the job is up to us. Please think of helping out with RE as you contemplate fulfilling your service commitment.Live in peace,
Rick Turner,
President of the Board of Trustees