President’s Blog
The regular column by Mary Lundholm, OCUUC’s current President.
Board Decision about Homeless Man on OCUUC Property
At Wednesday’s Board meeting, the Board of Trustees discussed the issue about the homeless gentleman who has been living on our property. For those of you who don’t know, we have a homeless man who has been sleeping on the grounds behind the Boag building and leaving his belongings there during the day.
The board felt that we had three options for handling this situation:
- Do nothing
- Call the police and have him removed
- Assist him in finding a better situation
The board looked at our principles in forming our response. Our first and second principles apply to this situation.
- The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
- Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
The board has, therefore, decided that we will proceed with compassion and assist this man in finding a better situation. He will be asked to store his items away from the children’s areas on the property and to be off the property before 8AM on Sundays.
Rev. Ed will be working with SOS to find assistance and housing for him. While that is being solved, the man still needs help. I am asking the congregation to bring things to help keep him warm, dry, and fed. If you have things that can assist him please talk with me (president
ocuuc
org) .
Concerns or questions can be sent to Rev Ed or Mary Lundholm
Clarification of Settled Minister Search Process
Hello Members,
We are getting ready to begin our settled minister search process. The Settled Search Committee is not yet formed. There is an applications process that will begin in February and end with a congregational vote in late April/early May. The search for a settled minister involves the whole congregation in various stages. The Congregation votes for 5 members of the Settled Search Committee to represent them in the search process.
Since our congregation is having a two year interim period, the Board chose to have a separate committee to conduct the congregational survey. The MInisterial Search Survey Committee was appointed by the board to conduct and analyze the data so that the Settled Minister Search Committee could focus on the review of the applicants.
Please fill out and return your survey when it becomes available. Attend a focus group so that your thoughts may be included in the final report.
Apply to be a member of the Settled Minister Search Committee or sign the application of someone you trust to do an excellent job. Review the statements of the applicants for the Settled Minister Search Committee. (They will be posted in early April 2012) Come to the Special Congregational Meeting and vote for your 5 top choices!
Love and Light,
Mary
President’s Report December 22, 2011
Last year the board set a goal of increasing our Sunday service attendance by 5%. We exceeded that goal! Our average attendance was 136 on a Sunday. This is an increase of 12.4% from the previous year. Please see the graphs below for the amazing increase we have had in participation in worship. This increase in connection is felt in all our programs and activities. As always, let someone in leadership know if you have a way to increase the interconnections within our community.
Together we are creating a new surge of energy to invigorate the congregation. Look for more Adult Education classes to get started in January 2012. The board hopes that you will find offerings that appeal to you and create a sense of spiritual depth to your connection with OCUUC.
This chart is just amazing to me. Look at that jump in attendance.
This chart shows that our goal for a 5% increase was an average Sunday attendance of 117 people. We reached an average of 136 people.
Covenant of Healthy Relations
At the Congregational Meeting on October 30th, the Congregation voted to accept the “Covenant of Healthy Relations.” This document states that we really mean to live by our principles and hold each other to those standards. I am so excited that we are formalizing this aspect of our culture. It is now written in a document that will be published for all to see and to use in those rare instances when we need to remind each other to speak with compassion and understanding.
An important part of this document indicates that we will “honor established process of resolving conflict where differences become chronic.” The Board of Trustees has established new procedures to implement this Covenant. You can find those procedures in our “Peacemaking Policy” and our procedures for correcting a “Serious Breach of Covenant.”
Fall 2011
Announcements for Fall
Service times have changed to 9:45am and 11:15 am. Also, please remember Daylight Savings asks you to FALL BACK on Saturday night before you go to sleep.
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OCUUC Fall 2011 Events, Goods & Services Auction on Sunday, November 6th from 10:30 am-2:00 pm
View the Auction Catalog here.
Get ready for different kind of Goods and Services Auction!
Silent Auction
- Bidding will be available between services for early birds, and we will provide a “Buy it Now” price in case you can’t stay. Our fabulous Auction volunteers will be on hand to assist you in bidding, should you need it.
- Bidding will be open between 10:30 am and 11:15 for early attendees. Bidding will close during second service but will reopen at 12:30 pm.
Afternoon Event
- Lunch will be available for $4.00 starting at 12:30 pm. Beer and wine bar open.
- Live music by rock/blues band “About Time” starts at 1:00 pm for your enjoyment.
- At 1:45, the Silent auction ends (pencils down!) and winners are determined.
- Members, recent visitors, friends, and friends of friends are invited and welcomed.
- We will have age-appropriate activities for children. The nursery will be open for the youngest. In order to help us plan a great time for your children, please let us know if they’re coming. RSVP to Mary (presidentocuucorg) .
If you’d like to offer an event, goods, or services, you may use the online form to submit your information or you may print out this form, fill in your information, and turn it in at the Auction Table. Submit your items by Sunday October 30th and be entered to win $150 in scrip!
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Join us for our Annual Programs Fair on Sunday, November 13th, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on the patio.
What is the Programs Fair? It is one way that Committees, Groups and Recognized Organizations can present themselves to the OCUUC community. The goal is to provide volunteer opportunities that motivate people to get involved with the good work you do. For more information, email Mike Scott (programsocuucorg) .
Reminders
The Congregational Meeting on June 11th at 3:00 pm is very important. We will be deciding our future in terms of congregational survey, ministerial search (2012), two year interim (change from 1 year) and setting our finances for the next two years. The board needs to hear your wishes and desires so that we can lead the congregation in the right direction. Please come and let your voice be heard.
- Faith in Action Agenda Item, which may be viewed here. Mike Harmanos will speak in support of this issue. Anyone wishing to speak in opposition please be prepared to speak at the congregational meeting. For more information about the bill from a UU perspective, please visit the UU Legislative Ministry Health Care Reform website and read the fact sheet in favor of the legislation.
- vote for the Proposed Slate of Officers 2011-2012; click this link to view the list of names
- vote for Emerita Status for Karen Stoyanoff
We will offer some snacks, so if you’d like to help bring some, they would be greatly appreciated.
Plan to attend and help shape our future! Childcare available with an RSVP to Mary Lundholm (presidentocuucorg) .
General Assembly June 22-26
Are you going to Charlotte, North Carolina? OCUUC needs a representative. Contact Mary.
Ways and Means
Looking for grant writers to work on grant applications during the next fiscal year. We would be locating grants, writing, working with Program Council and other groups (like FIA or RE or Adult Programs) to find ways to improve our programs, have outreach to the community, and become a larger liberal voice in our community. An additional outcome would be improving our bottom line by bringing in outside funding. Please volunteer to help us in this endeavor. Many hands make light work. Contact Mary Lundholm (presidentocuucorg) or Christine Hernandez for more information.
Publicity
Looking for a group of people to write press releases and to send them out to the media. Also, if anyone has access to an email list of media contacts that would be helpful to me as I want to announce several new programs and staff to the community at large. Mary Lundholm (presidentocuucorg)
Thank you Minister Party July 16 at 5:00 pm
We will be thanking Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff for all her years of service. Please plan to attend this wonderful event and watch for information about it to come privately to all members and friends…The date is public, the surprise part is a secret…sshhhh…contact Mary.
Big Sunday!
ocuucorg (presidentocuucorg) to volunteer to help host. Or find a project that appeals to you at http://my.bigsunday.org/index.cfm?x_x_=1Grant Funding Available
OCUUC needs your help to apply for this grant. It requires that we include a poem about our mission, works, or service. Can you help? Deadline for the poem would be March 21st because I have to have the application in by March 28th. Please send an original poem to Mary Lundholm.
Details:
Write a Poem About Your Mission
Registered nonprofits, charities and voluntary organizations are invited to celebrate and reflect upon their work in communities around the world. Gather your staff, clients or volunteers and write a short poem about your mission. The most inspiring poem will be selected by an international panel of independent artist and producers and turned into an original song.
Grant Awards:
1st Place: $10,000 USD and an original song inspired by your mission. The song will be produced by Jim Tullio of Butcher Boy Studios and performed by recording artist Bill Dillon, recently exonerated after 27 years in jail, thanks to the Innocence Project of Florida.
2nd Place: $5,000 USD
Blogger’s Choice Award: $1,000 USD
Two First Act guitars signed by Los Lonely Boys to be auctioned by a lucky nonprofit
20 Technology Grants for nonprofits that indicate a need
Exciting Times
We are entering and exciting time at OCUUC. The search for an Interim Minister has begun. Our team is preparing the information packet for the interested ministers.
An Interim Minister is specially trained by the UUA to assist congregations through a change in settled minister. Please view the video on Interim Ministry provided by the UUA. You can access the video through the link on our website. http://ocuuc.org/ministersearch.php It documents one congregations path through this process. I found it very interesting and informative.
As president, I am wanting to hear any concerns or questions that the congregation has about this process. Please talk with me.
I would encourage all of you to attend the meeting on March 6th after second service. I will be available for questions and our VP Finance will discuss the upcoming budget needs. Most importantly, we will hear from our Ministerial Settlement Representative about the steps our congregation will go through to find a new settled minister.
I am very pleased to be helping us through these changes. I look forward to the next few years with joy and expectation of new and good things happening at OCUUC. Be the change you want to see in the world.
Wintertime
Hello All,
This is my favorite season: Fall moving to Winter. We nestle in and come closer for warmth with our family and friends.
At OCUUC, we have a number of holiday traditions. Some are newer than others. First, we have the Winter Solstice Ritual. If you can, I encourage you to come to the evening service. There is something about all the candle light glowing in the darkness. It is a beautiful and moving service.
Then, more traditionally, we have the Christmas Eve service. It starts with a cookie eating feast with spiced cider made by our own Rev. Dr. Karen Stoyanoff. Bring some cookies and enjoy the warmth of community. After that is storytime for the children, followed by a visit from a special someone in a red suit…and our visitor has a REAL white beard!
This year’s evening service will be filled with music. Come and participate in the singing and joy. During this service, the offering is to replenish the minister’s discretionary fund for the coming year. This year was challenging for many of our members. If you can at all help the minister, please bring what you can to share with those in need.
Love and Light,
Mary
