Amazing Gratitude
September has been a big month of transitions and change throughout our music program. When Susan Shaw and I started in our roles as Interim Co-Directors of Music Ministries, we, with trepidation, thought our theme song would most accurately be described by Roy Zimmerman’s “Hope, Struggle, and Change.” However, as we reflect on our wonderful experiences throughout September and what we are anticipating in October, we think a more appropriate song is Hal Walker’s “Amazing Gratitude” — with train whistles…
A Busy Fall
We are in the middle of a very busy Fall, and I am excited about all the energy. It is a busy time! In the middle of it all, we are still trying to start construction on our new sanctuary. Despite our best efforts to reduce the costs, it is still going to cost more than we expected, a lot more. We need another $700,000 in pledges and authorization from the congregation to get to groundbreaking. It is not going…
Heritage and Legacy
Beth Syverson, our former Director of Music Ministries, left quite a heritage and legacy at this church from her 22 years with us. She started as our accompanist, growing into the Music Director, then Choir Director positions and then finally the Director of Music Ministries. She told me once that she didn’t “get” Unitarian Universalism until she went to her first yearly conference of UU Music Directors and Musicians. There her colleagues taught her to connect the music with the…
Transition and emotions
Over the years I’ve written over 200 Reach articles, and this will be my last one. My time at OCUUC is quickly coming to a close. This transition brings about lots of emotions for me – gratitude, sadness, nostalgia, and excitement – all rolled in one. The famous therapist Virginia Satir created what we now refer to as the Satir Change Model: I find this Change Model to be very helpful when I’m in that uncomfortable Chaos phase. Knowing that…
Guest Makers
As we inch towards the end of the summer, I want to highlight the contributions of all the “guest makers” that shared their talents and passions with our children in the UU Maker Space over the past couple of months. Linda S. led us in some watercolor experimentation using eye droppers, which was fun and engaging for the kids. Maureen M. joined us for some woodworking, and each child got to make their own wooden car! Barbara M. did origami…
Fall at OCUUC
I love Fall at OCUUC. Although our fiscal year started two months ago, it feels like a beginning. Rev. Sian will be back, our new intern, Wendy Karn, will be starting, and we have so many exciting events coming up. It will be busy, and we will use it to transform our lives and communities by living our Principles. That is our mission! We will celebrate transitions, explore new ways to make a difference, and enjoy being together. We will…
Wrapping Up
It is a bit surreal to be writing my second-to-last article. After 22 years my time at OCUUC is drawing to a close as my last day with you all will be September 10th. I am experiencing lots of “this will be the last time I…” as I am wrapping up my responsibilities. A crack search committee is working hard to find an interim music director to manage things while an official search (with Rev. Sian) for a long-term music…
Guest Makers
Our OCUUC kids have truly been enjoying their time in our Maker Space on Sunday mornings this summer. My deepest gratitude goes out to each and every one of you that has donated materials (and there are a lot of you!). I am also so thankful for all of the “guest makers” that have joined us to share their talents and, of course, none of it would be possible without our trusty, dependable religious education volunteers who are making it…
Different Cultures
Tom and I had a wonderful time in Scandinavia. We are thoroughly enjoying the opportunity to travel at this point in our lives. It helps us learn so much about other cultures! It inspires me to see how other people do things and how they live their values. Here is one of my favorite pictures – it is how one Norwegian woman gets through those long dark winters! She knits tree sweaters. What fun! There were about twenty of them.…
Music Under the Stars
Don’t miss our special Music Under the Stars event on Saturday, July 15 at 7pm. Some of you purchased this as an auction item, but even if you didn’t you can still come. The suggested donation is $10, either through the auction or at the door. The musicians will provide snacks and beverages and we’ll set up tables and chairs in the courtyard under the pergola. Music Under the Stars is always a lovely evening filled with great music from…
Joan Gillan Award
At our Congregational Meeting on June 11th we honored Reverend Judy Tomlinson with the Joan Gillan Award for service to our Religious Education program. Rev. Judy is our former Director of Religious Education who has continued to serve our church community in her retirement. This church year she taught OWL to our 4th-6th graders all Fall and led our Youth Group twice a month in the Winter and Spring. She organized a cookie bake event for the Youth Group and…
Transitions
I am really looking forward to this new year. While I will dearly miss Phyllis Daniel and Birdie Reed on the Board, we will have new energy with Emily Scherping and Eric Noël. Welcome! We have lots to anticipate. We will have a new intern, Wendy Karn, and I very much look forward to getting to know her and work with her. With very mixed feelings, we will have a big transition in staff with Beth leaving. We are all…