Splinters From The Board Archive
From Our DRE: Sanctuary and the Klondike Bar
noun: sanctuary: a place of refuge or safety.
From this simple definition one could infer that a sanctuary is a place to hide…in isolation. We, like our Christian cousins, call our meeting room a sanctuary. In the old days the builders of churches included stained glass as a way to create a sanctuary filled with the light of God. Many UUs don’t think of our sanctuaries as places of God, but as places made holy by the gathering of our community. This is what I believe.
I was lost, hurt, and alone in my tumultuous sixteenth year of life, and for a relatively short time I lived with my grandmother. Grandma Katherine worked a lot, and I hardly saw her. But every week we would get in her old Ford pickup and make a 30 mile grocery run. There was not a lot of money, so we mostly came back with beans, pork neck bones and lunch meat, which was usually the cheapest bologna on sale. But grandma, even though she was an insulin-dependent diabetic, loved Klondike Bars. She would get just one package of six ice cream bars and eat one a day until the next store trip.
One day I came into her room while she was eating one to ask her the simple question: “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Now, I do not remember what her response was. But I do remember her immediately getting up and going to the fridge to get me a Klondike Bar. I also remember that we talked long after the ice cream was finished about many things, including life, death, love, loss, hopes, and dreams. I remember feeling that I could talk to Grandma about anything, and she would still love me and accept me. I also remember that next week at the store she bought two packages of Klondike Bars, and following that, we spent at least one day a week on her bed enjoying our treats and talking. She inspired me, she encouraged me, she made me think things could get better. During that brief time I was in a kind of sanctuary – a home where I was loved and supported.
Somewhere, there are people to whom we can speak with passion
without having the words catch in our throats.
Somewhere a circle of hands will open to receive us, eyes will light up as we enter,
voices will celebrate with us whenever we come into our own power.
Community means strength
that joins our strength to do the work that needs to be done.
Arms to hold us when we falter.
A circle of healing.
A circle of friends.
Someplace where we can be free.
– Starhawk
I truly believe our church is becoming a sanctuary. I’m not just talking about the place where we gather to worship. I’m talking about how we are when we are together in that place, or anywhere we gather. We are inspired by the sermons, the music, and the readings. But we are also inspired by the people in our congregation doing justice work, the ones teaching our children in their RE classes, the ones teaching OWL, and those leading adult groups.
We are encouraged when we see each other doing the work, and even more so when we hear them talk with passion about what they’re doing. We are encouraged when we see it all making a difference even in small ways, leading us to hope to make more radical change in the future.
Sanctuary can be found in a community of people who come together and share openly and honestly with one another. It is found in being with people who share your values, celebrate your joys and successes, and hold you close in your failures and sorrows. Sanctuary is found in the people that you want to share your ideas and your ice-cream with.
In the words we speak,
In the songs we sing,
In the work that we do,
In the being together,
In the knowing that we make a difference in our world,
We are creating a sanctuary.
If you ever want to come by and talk with me about anything, contact me and we’ll set up an appointment. I’ll be sure to have a couple of Klondike Bars waiting.
Board of Directors Report: Board Joins with Neighboring Congregations; Announces New Hires
Board Development Day at UUSM 2018
On September 8, our church and Board hosted a Board Development Day for our and other local UU churches. The Board learned more about implementing best practices.
The Board met on September 11 and reflected on the historical significance of this date.
Announcements
There will be changes coming to our current communication methods. The purpose is to balance the volunteer hours needed with the need to keep members and friends informed in a timely manner, and to move the church more to current electronic communication methods.
New Hires
There are three new hires: two will be participating in Sunday services. The third person is Diego Andres, our new Thursday communications assistant.
New Committee
The Board voted to form a committee to implement a new restricted fund: The Young Adult Programming Fund. The committee is charged with three objectives: 1) to define a clear purpose for the fund; 2) identify a person responsible for disbursement of monies, and 3) to establish a sunset clause for the fund. These objectives will be also be a goal to apply to future restricted funds.
Other Discussion
The Board discussed ways to increase their visibility among the congregation. One main idea is to have board members read the Sunday announcements from the pulpit.
New Members
One new member was read into the minutes: Neelam Mullick. Please welcome her if you see her.
— Rebecca Crawford
Board Tackles Staff Turnover; Approves Committee Charters
The board met on August 14 after taking a break in July.
Reports from committees included updates on finding replacements for our Director of Music and our Communications Coordinator; the searches are moving rapidly and replacements will likely be announced soon. The candidates for the jobs are very accomplished.
The church has received $100,000 from the Ralph Meyers Estate, and it has been apportioned according to the Committee on Money requirements.
Several committee charters were received and approved, including Worship Associates, Pastoral Care Associates, and Adult Religious Exploration. Such charters will be available on our website under the “Policies and Procedures” section.
Three new members were read into the minutes: Barbara Gluck, Lois Ganner, and John Laslett. I hope you have a chance to welcome them, when you see them.
A very experienced advisory team for our intern, Robin Stillwater, is in place. We look forward to welcoming her in September.
The board will host a “Board Professional Day” on September 8, which will be led by UUA regional staff member, the Rev. Jonipher Kwong, and attended by the boards of several UU churches.
The board retreat will be held in October (specific date to be determined).
If you would like to keep up on board doings, you can find postings in the “For Members” section at the UUSM website, under “Board Documents.””
— Rebecca Crawford
Shifting the Stewardship Conversation toward Genrosity
The last meeting of the current board met in Forbes Hall on May 8 with seven board members, Rev. Greg, and nine guests in attendance. Two board members were ill. Kikanza Nuri-Robins lit the chalice with quotes from Dao De Jing, the foundation of her spiritual practice. Four board members would be leaving the board including me (Patricia Wright), and this will be my last Splinters article. It has been a pleasure to serve the congregation. Others are Kim Miller, Jerry Gates, Kikanza Nuri-Robins, and Kit Shaw, who replaced Emily Hero in April. The new board took office immediately after voting at the Annual Meeting on May 20.
We welcomed new member Sherman Neusom.
The board gave tribute to the generosity of Dianne Fletcher Hoppe and Carl Hoppe for their $10,000 per year over five years support of the music program above and beyond their pledge to the operating fund.
Rev. Greg reviewed a survey of board members about how he should spend his time. Rev. Greg reordered some priorities that he deemed were trust-building priorities. His highest priorities are trust-building and leadership development, and he stressed that they are related.
Kit Shaw reported on the directions that the Stewardship Team is contemplating, which include aligning the pledge year with the fiscal year, and eliminating rollovers. While the intention was to inform the current board (and get their feedback), the board passed a motion to align the pledge year with the fiscal year. Kim Miller prepared a report with details supporting the motion and the notion to no longer use rollovers. These steps, when implemented, would require conversations with the congregation.
The real stewardship conversation is about values and vision. Rev. Greg has suggested that the stewardship team and the board participate in a new Stewardship/Generosity program from the Pacific West Region of the UUA. Institutionalizing a Ministry of Generosity will provide religious leaders with materials and support to shift congregational practices and transform culture to promote generosity in all areas of congregational life.
The board passed a motion to transfer unused board funds to the Second Sunday Supper. Other board actions included the appointment of Alicia MacLennan, Aubrey Sassoon, and Linda van Ligten to the Right Relations Team. Steven DePaul and Jeffrey Ellis were appointed to the Investment Committee.
UUSM board meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month and are open to all members. More details can be found in the minutes of each meeting, which are posted on the UUSM.org website in the “members only” section or by talking directly to board members.
UUSM board meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month and are open to all members. More details can be found in the minutes of each meeting, which are posted on the Board Documents page in the “For Members” section (member-level log-in required), or by talking directly to board members.
— Patricia Wright
Board Discusses Budget, Future Leadership
The board met in Forbes Hall on April 10 with nine board members, Rev. Greg, and 11 guests in attendance. Patricia lit the chalice for empathy as a way of being.
Rev. Greg engaged the guests first and then the board in a fishbowl dialog whereby the participants in the fishbowl are invited to discuss and the others observe. He asked the guests to share how they felt about the church and the board’s work since the beginning of the church year, and why they come to board meetings. Members of the Nominating Committee come to glean what they might need to exercise their role. Others attend to learn more about the board and what it might be like to be on the board. Guests observed that tension has decreased, and trust has increased over the last 12 months. During their turn in the fishbowl, the board expressed the weight of being on the board and the challenge of modeling with each other what they need to be in the community, especially regarding right relations.
A proposal for funds to support Second Sunday Supper (SSS) cleanup, parking, and help with childcare was introduced. Such a fund and other dedicated funds should have “sunset” clauses, i.e., termination clauses to begin to move us away from directed donations and to help us look at how we budget in coming years.
The Nominating Committee’s slate of candidates was presented. The candidates nominated include Jacki Weber for President, Beth Brownlie for Vice-President, Norm Richey for Secretary, and Kim Andres for Treasurer, with Nina Emerson and Eileen McCormack nominated for two-year terms as at-large board members. Ed Brand and Margot Page were nominated to complete one-year terms for vacant positions. Ron Crane will remain on the board as the Past President. Kikanza Nuri-Robins and Patricia Gomez were nominated for election to the Nominating Committee. Church members may also be nominated by petition.
A lengthy discussion of the budget submitted by the finance committee ensued. The very successful sustainability campaign has reduced the deficit to at least $21,500, with gratitude to the community for increasing pledges and contributing to the sustainability fund so that pledge increases could be matched. The finance committee has also proposed to continue the deficit reserve fund for the 2018/2019 budget by shifting funds from other reserves. This proposal will appear as a resolution at the Annual Meeting for the congregation’s vote. The utilization of reserve funds for purposes other than originally specified requires a majority vote of the congregation.
The board did not have time to adequately review the budget. A special meeting of the board was held on Tuesday, April 17 to review and approve a budget to present to the congregation at the Annual Meeting on Sunday, May 20. Pledge income remains at 100% of pledges for 2018. Two motions were passed: 1) Expenses for our Director of Religious Education were increased by $1,200 to $2,200, in accordance with her contract; 2) PSWD/UUA dues were increased by $1,414 to move to 55% of our fair share, with a commitment to pay our full dues to our denomination in four years. This increases the deficit by $2,614. The board approved a budget with a deficit of $24,268. The successful sustainability drive made a big difference in reducing the deficit.
UUSM board meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month and are open to all members. More details can be found in the minutes of each meeting, which are posted on the UUSM.org website in the “members only” section or by talking directly to board members.
— Patricia Wright
Sustainability Fund Established to Encourage Financial Support
The Board met in Forbes Hall on March 13 with seven Board Members present and two members absent. Rev. Greg was present, along with approximately 10 congregants, and lit the chalice with a short reading.
There are two new members this month, and one deceased member which brings our total membership to 314.
The Communications Team reported results of a recent congregational survey. Communication via the newsletter is one of our critical tools for reaching our stakeholders. The board moved to add a study of our newsletter and other communication tools as an initiative for the 2018-19 church year.
Regarding Stewardship, Jacki Weber summarized a new Campaign for Sustainability, a plan to address our large
projected deficit for this coming year. The board of directors needs direction from the congregation: will we increase 2018-19 revenue through increased pledges or will we rely on expense cuts and tapping reserves instead? Rev. Greg and Jacki preached on the subject on March 11 from the pulpit and mailed a copy of the sermon, along with a financial overview of UUSM, to all pledging Members and Friends. It is being followed up with a financial presentation on March 18 and the announcement of a hoped-for Sustainability Fund to match pledge increases by congregants. Jacki requested the Board to authorize $20,000 from the Ministry Equity Sharing Reserve.
These funds could then be paired with restricted contributions from congregants, ultimately providing upwards of $80,000 for a Sustainability Fund to match pledge increases beginning in the 2018-19 fiscal year. She urged a future discussion about replenishing the Ministry Equity Sharing Reserve. The UUSM Board unanimously approved the action to withdraw $20,000 from the Minister’s Equity Sharing Reserve to create the seed money for Sustainability Fund to provide an incentive for generosity in the congregation.
Kim Miller mentioned that although we are now focused on the new Campaign for Sustainability, the Town Hall meeting in April will focus on the 2018-19 budget.
Norm Richey gave a brief report on the work of the Membership Committee, and the Board recognized the 2018 Charter of the Membership Committee.
The Board unanimously approved a motion of $3,000 to be used from the Capital/Building Reserve Fund to fund two urgent Forbes Hall projects: women’s bathroom faucet repair and lounge chair upholstery.
Emily Hero announced that she is resigning from the Board after serving four years. The President and Board Members thanked her for her dedication and contributions while on the Board.
– Norm Richey
Board Tackles Budget Challenges
The board met in Forbes Hall on February 13 with nine board members, Rev. Greg, and nine guests in attendance. Jerry Gates lit the chalice with the thought that although we are different, our efforts are united.
There were no new members this month. The current membership is 314, with 17 members lapsed since the January board meeting.
Rev. Greg spoke of working hard and feeling tired but not giving up. A majority of the targets he has set (Worship, Pastoral Care, Staffing, Leadership Development, etc.) are on track or ahead of schedule; and Membership and Adult RE are making progress. But tiredness is likely to continue until there is a way to address (with the understanding and commitment of the whole congregation) the magnitude of needs that require the work of more than staff and, historically, just 15% of the congregation, to meet.
A lengthy discussion of the budget process and the projected minimum deficit of ~$60,000 for FY ’18-19 followed. Treasurer Kim Miller provided a comprehensive report on the deficit and possible scenarios to address it. Patricia Wright provided the status of the Committee on Money Reserves since its inception. A Town Hall meeting on the budget will be held on Sunday, March 18.
A lengthy discussion on the role of stewardship in addressing the deficit, culminated in a motion and the commitment of the board to have courageous conversations with the congregation and to make a three-year plan to develop a culture of high expectations and commitment.
UUSM board meetings are held on each second Tuesday and are open to all members. For more details, contact one of the board members or read the minutes and materials of each meeting, which are posted on the website in the “For Members” section.
— Patricia Wright
Board Studies Leadership, Discusses Pledge Results
The board met in Forbes Hall on January 9 with nine board members, Rev. Greg, and 13 guests in attendance. Rev. Greg opened with a reading of the poem “For a New Beginning” by John O’Donohue.
Secretary Beth Brownlie read the names of new members Craig Charles, Alicia MacLennan, Dan Wunsch, and Erika Scremin, for a total membership of 343.
There were two main discussion topics that occupied the meeting. They were a discussion of the common read of the first four chapters of “Never Call Them Jerks” by Arthur Paul Boers, and a discussion of stewardship and the Board’s role as fiscal steward.
“Never Call Them Jerks” addresses difficult behavior by church members. Key aspects of “jerks” include blaming and shaming, labeling situations, triangulations, and bullying, amongst others. The first four chapters explore that behavior and ways of addressing it that do not work, and acknowledge that it exists in all of us. We bring our past into our present, and it affects how we react to present situations. Rev. Greg is asking the board to identify areas of leadership – and areas of self-awareness, self-differentiation, and self-acceptance – in order to become better versions of ourselves and to learn to tackle problems in a collaborative and cooperative way. Along the way it helps to notice what triggers us and what underlying needs govern our behavior.
The board welcomed stewardship co-chairs Kit Shaw and Gretchen Goetz who reported on the status of the 2018 pledge campaign. 50% of the pledging units have pledged. 50% of the pledging units are rolled over. The dollar amount pledged to date is $368,706. 48 pledges are the same as last year, 66 have increased, 13 have decreased or terminated, 13 are new pledges.
As agent to the board as fiscal steward, stewardship has done its job for this year’s pledge campaign! Stewardship created a process in carrying out the wishes of the board. It is clear that there will be a deficit, so what do we do now? We raise the level of conversation with the congregation further through stewardship, pastoral care, membership, and a good slice of education.
UUSM board meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month and are open to all members. More details can be found in the minutes of each meeting, which are posted on the UUSM.org website in the “members only” section or by talking directly to board members.
– Patricia Wright
Intern Minister Chosen; Discretionary Fund Approved
The board met in Forbes Hall on December 12 with nine board members, Rev. Greg, and six guests in attendance. Rev. Greg lit the chalice with “A Blessing for One Who Holds Power” by John O’Donohue … “May the gift of leadership awaken in you as a vocation …”.
Secretary Beth Brownlie read the name of new member Jennifer Styzens, for a total membership of 339.
The Board approved the Covenant of Right Relations and recommended that the congregation adopt the covenant. The Board has the responsibility for and is considering a date for a congregational meeting to vote for the adoption of the covenant, perhaps preceded by a town hall meeting. How to integrate the covenant into the life of the congregation will be the work of Right Relations and may involve workshops and practice sessions on each of the main aspects of the covenant. The covenant is aspirational and broad. Right Relations is working on processes and procedures to address application of the covenant.
Rev. Greg’s report to the board started by talking about the binary thinking that he has observed in our congregation. Binary thinking is either/or, left/right;, up/down, right/wrong, good/bad, and is a barrier to a more reverent, nuanced, curious relationship, one that requires more courage, more self awareness, and energy. Though moving out of binary thinking requires more energy, it carries the promise of being more energizing as well. Focusing on process over task and getting better at process can provide the board and the congregation with a path to productivity, health, and happiness.
The board authorized the hiring of Robin Stillwater, a seminarian at Union Theological Seminary, as Intern Minister for ten months, beginning in September 2018.
A board retreat to address ways in which the board can be more effective is in the planning stage and is in search of a consultant for the retreat.
The board adopted an interim policy for a Ministerial Discretionary Fund for the purpose of providing financial support to those in financial need and is tax-deductible to the donors.
At the request of the finance committee, the board approved sending a request to the congregation to make an extra end-of-the year donation to the church.
UUSM board meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month, and are open to all members. More details can be found in the minutes of each meeting, which are posted on the UUSM.org website in the “members only” section.
– Patricia Wright
Church Receives Bequest; Rev. Greg Describes Church Models
The board met in Forbes Hall on November 14 with eight board members, Rev. Greg, and eleven guests in attendance. Rev. Greg lit the chalice with a reading about the “coat of power” that increasingly fits over time.
Secretary Beth Brownlie read the name of the new member who joined since the last board meeting: Aubrey Sassoon, for a total membership of 340.
Rev. Greg encouraged the board to adopt a goal of making 100% cooperative, respectful process its main task and the main commitment of every member on the board. His challenge to board members is to conduct every interaction as if they were standing outside the church on a Sunday morning surrounded by visitors, newcomers and potential investors in the church. The board will collectively be reading and discussing “Never Call Them Jerks” by Arthur Paul Boers. The board read aloud the draft covenant of right relations.
Rev. Greg pointed out that UUSM is the size of a programmatic church but operating on a pastoral model that cannot be sustained. Congregations that operate from a programmatic model do not require it to be the sole responsibility of the minister to carry the communication, resolve the conflict, manage relationships and keep programs well informed and connected. Congregations operating from pastoral models, however, depend much more on the minister.
UUSM has been awarded $8,500 as a stipend toward the cost of an intern (approximately $20,000 total). In the application for the stipend UUSM expressed interest in entering into a good faith agreement to move toward fair share over four years. Two applications for the intern position have been received and interviews will be conducted by a small group represented by the minister, personnel, board, and at large.
A workshop on the history of UUSM up to 2008 was held on Sunday, Nov. 12 and was well attended by about 50 people. The next phase of the exploration of our history from 2008 to the present will be held in January.
UUSM has been awarded approximately $116,000 from the estate of Ralph Meyer. Once received, the money will be allocated to the various funds established by the Committee on Money in 2016.
As of November 9, UUSM has received pledges for the 2018 calendar year from 38% of the membership for a total of $175,159 towards the goal of $425,000, which will represent a 15% increase over last year’s budgeted amount.
An overview and timeline of the development of the comprehensive safety policy was given by Emily Hero.
The board unanimously affirmed and approved the Newsletter Committee’s decision to select Abby Arnold as their Editor-in-Chief.
UUSM board meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month, and are open to all members. More details can be found in the minutes of each meeting, which are posted on the UUSM.org website in the “members only” section.
— Patricia Wright
Board Establishes Priorities for the Upcoming Year
The board met in the Sanctuary on October 10 because of plumbing repairs in Forbes Hall. All board members, Administrator Nurit Gordon, Rev. Greg, and eight guests were in attendance in the pews. Rev. Greg lit the chalice, with a reading from the “Book of Qualities” on the notion that trust is the mother of love.
Rev. Greg explained his role at board meetings in the context of developmental ministry. His intention is to focus on vision, and to cultivate a sense of process that leads to people who are eager to be with each other. He explained that a single minister, focused on developmental goals, cannot at the same time perform all the broad ministerial responsibilities that are expected in a church of our size. There will be an evaluation of the ministry in January 2018. The board approved an addition of $20,000 to the 2018-2019 budget to hire a ministerial intern to assist in developing a Pastoral Associates program, so that the congregation can meet the needs for pastoral care with the help of well-trained and organized volunteers.
Jacki Weber reported on the follow-up to the 2017 board retreat, which included a review of action items and recommended follow-up. The board established priorities for the coming year: (1) clarify roles and responsibilities, (2) develop and adopt a comprehensive safety policy, (3) develop and adopt a covenant of right relations, (4) develop a pastoral associates program, (5) develop a worship associates program, (6) develop a membership program, (7) examination of UUSM history, and (8) optimize the stewardship program.
The board approved a job description for the new Religious Education Assistant position, based on the template of the Liberal Religious Educators Association.
Patricia Wright reported on the status of this year’s pledge drive to support the core operations of our church. The Stewardship Committee has scheduled six house parties, Rev. Greg is training facilitators, and the board is encouraged to attend. The board agreed to covenant to optimize the stewardship program.
Beth Brownlie reported that the Forbes Hall plumbing repair project is moving along, and the board thanked Nurit for overseeing the logistics involved.
The board recognized and affirmed the revised charter of the Communications Team. UUSM board meetings are open to all members, and are held on the second Tuesday of each month. Minutes of each meeting are posted on the UUSM website, in the “For Members” section.
— Patricia Wright