The Holiday Season is upon us and with it the many feelings and emotions that usually accompany this season of hope. This is a time to be reflective as individuals and as a faith community. It is a time to cherish family and friends. A time to remember the blessings of the year now passing and to consider the possibilities for the year ahead. Here are some things that we can say about where we are now.
We are moving along with creating our next 5-Year Plan thanks to the work of the 545 Task Force following the speed visioning event held last month. Committees and teams have begun working on writing specific goals based on the information gathered over the past year. It looks like our new Plan is shaping up to be a road map to boldness in the coming years.
Some other highlights from this year include:
- Adding Jimmy Vasquez to our staff as Membership Coordinator.
- Beloved Conversations began last year, and this year will be hosted by our congregation.
- The Auction was a great success with lots of fun for everyone.
- Our parking lot is scheduled to be re-coated the end of January.
- The Art Gallery in the Green Room is a constant source of inspiration.
- A Capital Campaign started to fund a sound system for the sanctuary.
- We have expanded our circle of relationships.
Most importantly the UUCV has changed lives for the better. We do that every day of the year with our Lift Up Your Voice advocacy, with our Safe Sleep overnight parking, and with our Inreach/Outreach program of giving away the Sunday Plate to other non-profits and folks in need. We make a difference by donating food each Sunday to Project Understanding; by supporting River Haven; and by providing support to numerous organizations that use our facility for meetings. And those are only some of the things that we do at the UUCV!
Please take a moment to read the letters of thanks and appreciation from those receiving our gifts. They can be found on the bulletin board by the copy machine. This then is the work of Unitarian Universalism where our first principal states : “We affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person.” That’s a message for every season! Finally, on behalf of the Board of Trustees,
Happy Holidays to Everyone! Thank you especially to our Staff, to Rev. Dana Worsnop, Congregational Administrator Jennifer Luce, Music Director Carolyn Bjerke, A/V Technician Brian Fortune, DRE Emily Carroll, Membership Coordinator Jimmy Vasquez, and to all of the RE Aides for all that you do in support of the UUCV. We have much for which to be grateful.
May peace and joy be yours this season.
Bryan Buck, President