How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these.
George Washington Carver, 1864–1943
As a girl, I had access to a small library at my parochial school. One of my favorite books was a biography of George Washington Carver. Professor Carver was an African American who was born into slavery and rose to the position of chair of the Agricultural Department of the Tuskegee Institute. I was enthralled with his biography because of his brilliance and achievements despite immense obstacles and the kindness he showed to all those he encountered.
It is important to have heroes, and George Washington Carver is one of mine.
I feel fortunate to be surrounded by the heroes I encounter every day at OCUUC. I am grateful and inspired by the number of people who all work together to keep our church not only up and running but prospering. You are all my heroes too.
This summer our Sanctuary Fundraising Committee members, led by Linda Spery, have been hard at work contacting members and friends of OCUUC to raise additional funds for our planned stunning new sanctuary. If you have not already done so, please consider donating to the new sanctuary. And if you have already pledged, please consider making a stretch pledge for the new sanctuary. It is going to take all of us to make the new sanctuary a reality. For information and inspiration, please visit the section on the new sanctuary.
In last month’s article, I reported that the Board approved going forward with some refurbishing of the RE/Admin building and listed many of the details in that article. The refurbishment is well under way thanks to the work of Craig Spery, Bob Loeschen, Mark Renshaw, Bob Gurski, and Sexton, David Nunez. It is going to look great! No more cranberry carpet on the walls and a much bigger Victoria Room meeting space are some of the improvements being made. I can’t wait for you all to see and enjoy the improvements in the RE/Admin building when we are able to meet again in person.
Rev. Sian will be returning in September from her two-month sabbatical. Welcome back, Rev. Sian! Many thanks to all of those who so ably kept the Sunday services and pastoral care on track while she was away. Special thanks go to Beth Syverson and the choir for the herculean work they are doing to provide us wonderful music for our virtual services.
With love and gratitude,
Debra Quam
President@ocuuc.org