November 2007 President's Column

Something wonderful is happening at First Church this fall! We are abuzz with activities and plans. We are working to improve communications, provide a variety of meaningful programs and fellowship activities, and to serve the larger community. In just the last few weeks, we held a very successful tri-church Retreat, with over 60 people in attendance, have hosted a Reception welcoming Rev. Melanie to the larger community, and have begun an exciting fall Religious Education program. Our GNOUU representatives (Claudia Barker, Jyaphia, and Rev. Melanie) are continuing their hard work to launch a national fundraising campaign. We are celebrating transformational abundance through our annual canvass. Rev. Melanie is providing us with much needed pastoral support, inspiring worship, and gentle guidance in taking care of ourselves. We are moving forward with plans to build a commercial kitchen for our partnership with NO/AIDS. Many others are anxious to begin hosting events or renting space in our building as soon as circumstances allow. Our message is going out to the wider UU community through our partner churches, others who stay at the Volunteer Center, and our own members who continue to share our stories.

I believe we have truly turned a corner in our recovery. I encourage everyone to celebrate our accomplishments, to take care of others who need a respite from church work burnout, and to be truly open to the many new people who have been coming by to check us out. If you would like to get involved in something new and different, look for the help wanted column in this newsletter/blog, or contact me. I consider my primary job as President of the Board to facilitate communication, “direct traffic”, and lift up the wonderful people who are contributing to our revival.

Kudos this months go to Cherie LeBlanc, the primary organizer of the Retreat; Mary Jo Day, who has worked doggedly to secure building permits and to track down the Gordon Windows; Bill Robertson and Mary Holt, who have stepped up to help with the ongoing challenge of facilitating communication within, among and about FUUNO; Claudia Barker, whose work behind the scenes on the national fundraising effort have been phenomenal; Marcie Brennan, who is leading the facilitation of the Welcoming Congregation program and serving on several other committees; Howard and Tina Mielke and Esther Scott, who are facilitating our Anti-Racism program twice a month; Janet Spencer, who took the Katrina/Ultreya play on a very successful road trip which raised funds for our rebuilding campaign; Gail Lazarus, a relative newcomer who has jumped right in to teaching RE; Kathleen North, who helped lead two workshops at the Retreat and is our point person in creating and implementing our vision of shared ministry. These wonderful volunteers, and many more, are what make this community special. Thanks!

Peace,

Ann