Notes From the President’s Desk – July, 2018

by Kitty Merrill | Jul 3, 2018 | Justice Actions

Last month one of the quotes in my column came directly from UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray who stated: “This is no time for a casual commitment to our faith.” That is a thought provoking statement worth discussing.

She was speaking about the many ways that Unitarian Universalists make a difference in the world. About how our efforts help change lives for the better, all while understanding we live in troubled times politically and economically. These are times when justice and compassion are hard to find for the disenfranchised, those who have somehow missed out or been cast aside as unworthy. For UUs who may feel discouraged about the current direction of our country, her words are a call to action.

There is a need for the prophetic voice of liberal religion that is Unitarian Universalism. It is a voice that speaks of inclusivity and building loving community. That message begins with affirming the inherent worth and dignity of everyone and concludes with the understanding that we are all connected.

When you look around you can see that there are big problems to be solved. You can also see you don’t have to do very much to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life. As troubling and perplexing as the world is today, it is never time to give up or give in on what you believe and value.
It seems if you are going to do a thing, a job, raise a family, learn a skill, that you should try to do it well. That is even more true depending upon how important something is to you. How worthwhile is it?

I love that UUs are a justice seeking people and we are engaged with our neighbors. I love that UUs show up to witness and speak truth to power. I love that I am responsible for my own faith journey.

So, in my case I hear the words of our UUA President as a reminder that the practice of one’s faith is not to be taken lightly. I would like to know what you think. Please send me an email at bryanabuck@hotmail.com and let me know how the above quote speaks to you.

Living in Paradise,
Bryan Buck, UUCV Board President

Minister’s Column – May, 2018

by Kitty Merrill | May 3, 2018 | Justice Actions

“FLAWS”

The word was in all caps at the center of a collage that a Coming of Age youth and her mentor were creating. All youth and mentors were focusing on collages representing Unitarian Universalism, and I was happily circulating among them all watching and listening to the collaborations. The word piqued my curiosity.

“Why FLAWS?” I asked.

“Because we don’t have to be perfect in this church,” came the response. “We get to be who we are.”
I could not have said it better. One of the things I loved about our faith from the first was that I felt accepted in my full humanity. I wasn’t a sinner in need of saving, but a complex human being seeking meaning, trying to live with purpose and compassion. I was appreciated for my gifts and blessings and encouraged to deepen them. I was fully accepted with my failings and foibles and encouraged to learn and grow.

I have loved working with Emily, our Coming of Age crew of facilitators and mentors, and eight of our magnificent youth. Our UU youth always delight me. They often surprise me with their wit, insight and sensitivity. We grow great kids in our faith and in our church. I can’t wait till the Coming of Age service on June 10 when they will read their Credo Statements to the congregation.

These kids are just one more reason I am falling more and more in love with the church and all our people. It’s hard to believe we are coming to the end of our second year together. In some ways it feels like I just started yesterday, in other ways I feel I’ve been here forever. I’ve told anyone and everyone who asks that I am happy as a clam, here in Ventura, serving this congregation. It’s still true.

And by now we are coming to know each other’s gifts, quirks and a few flaws. Folks now know that I don’t always reply to emails right away. And I’m an external processor, meaning that I don’t always know what I think until I hear myself say it, meaning I sometimes blurt out wild and impractical ideas.

I realized that I was even more a goner for y’all recently when I had encounters with a number of folks with their particular quirks and idiosyncrasies, and all I felt was an upwelling of affection. I realized that I love them not in spite of quirks and foibles but because of them.
We don’t have to be perfect in this church. I prove that on a daily basis. We simply get to be who we are.

And what a wonderful group of folks we are.

With love,
Rev. Dana

Notes from the President’s Desk – May, 2018

by Kitty Merrill | May 3, 2018 | Justice Actions

Budgets
Budgets are moral documents that reflect our commitment to our values and principles. They are aspirational expressions of our hopes for the UUCV. This year’s Budget is just one of several important issues we will discuss at the June 17 Annual Meeting. “But wait a minute, that’s Father’s Day!” Why did the Board pick that day for a meeting? Well, because that’s the day that was available, sandwiched between our Coming of Age program, the Church Picnic on June 10 and the UUA General Assembly on the 24th. Next year we will schedule the Annual Meeting earlier as part of our first ever Grand Master Calendaring meeting on May 7.

The Budget for 2018-19 is manageable and in keeping with the last 2 years during which we have benefited from a very generous “Bridge Pledge” that enabled the UUCV to maintain our current staffing level. We will have a relatively small deficit, around 2%, for a budget that is about $500,000.00. That deficit is easily covered from our reserves. The creation of “Reserves” comes from prior years when budgets were not fully spent. We saved those monies for a “rainy day” and that day has arrived!

The real angst at the Annual Meeting will come from the “projected” budget presentation for the year 2019-20. That’s when the “Bridge Pledge” Funds will be depleted. That budget makes clear just how much we have been living off the generosity of others, including those who came before such as Tom Berg and Nick Williams whose legacy continues to inspire us all. So, we will be facing a “Cliff” deficit in 2019-20 and Leadership is considering ways to “ease” into that year with a combination of reserves and other funds. It will also require your help!

What we do next will affect us for years to come. The last six years the UUCV has pursued a vision based on the idea of Staffing for Growth. It has involved the generosity of two Capital Campaigns from a few members and Grant money. We are clearly benefitting from having a very strong staff. There is improved adult programming, R.E. has tripled in size, we have women’s and men’s covenant groups, we have amazing music and much more. The result is we are absolutely growing! This dynamic growth affirms that the UUCV is the Prophetic Voice of Liberal Religion in Ventura. We offer the radical message; “You do not need to think alike in order to love alike” that people want to hear. We are an inclusive, loving, faith community.

Capital Campaigns are not the way to sustain our current level of staffing. We must have Pledge Income to support that vision. In the past 6 years we have never asked for a specific commitment from the Congregation. Instead we tried everything else to generate revenue and it is not enough. Ours has always been a “soft” request for the financial support of what you value. So, what comes next is a very big “ask” of everyone. Including new members, we will need an 18% increase in pledging income between now and June 2020. That is two years away. If you believe in the UUCV and what we stand for, then begin now to take your own personal steps to fulfill this request, and please, make our Annual Meeting a priority. We can do this together.

Living in Paradise,
Bryan Buck, President