Notice of the Red River Unitarian Universalist Church. Fall Congregational Meeting

Transcription

1 Notice of the Red River Unitarian Universalist Church Date: Sunday, October 29, 2017 Time: Where: Agenda Documents: Potluck: References: 1:00 pm Fall Congregational Meeting In the Chapel 515 North Burnett Ave Denison, TX Approval of the minutes from the May 21, 2017 Spring Congregational Meeting Discussion and approval of the Annual Reports Freedom of the Pulpit Tradition Evaluate Current Goals Discussion on the Committee on Ministry Sunday Mornings at Red River all church survey Elevator Fundraising Chairperson Improved Disability Access Refreshment Schedule Discussion Social Action Reports Adult Forum - Jerry Harris Building and Grounds - Marilyn Alexander Booked for Lunch - Carole Harner Earth Day Planning - Amy Hoffman-Shehan Moveable Feast - Marion and Elbert Hill Communications Team - Doug Strong North Texas UU Congregations - Red River s Representative - Marla Loturco Religious Education - Dan Althoff Safe Congregation Panel - Dan Althoff Worship Team - Doug Strong Open Discussion Adjournment The Complete Meeting Packet containing Minutes of the May 21, 2017 Spring congregational meeting Current Congregational Behavior Covenant Annual Reports can be downloaded below. You may print out the packet, or save it to your device and access them during the meeting via the church wi-fi (saves paper). Our normal In 4 Lunch Potluck falls on October 29th. You are encouraged to bring a dish to share for the all-church potluck prior to the meeting. Specifics about congregational meetings and voting requirements can be found in our church bylaws.

2 Draft Minutes from the 2017 Spring Meeting Red River Unitarian Universalist Church Spring Congregational Meeting Sunday, May 21, :35 PM CALL TO ORDER ROLL CALL OCTOBER 30, 2016 CONGREGATION MEETING MINUTES ANNUAL REPORTS BECOMING A REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE CONGREGATION BECOMING A WELCOMING CONGREGATION REESTABLISHING A CARING TEAM President Helen Schulze called the meeting to order at 12:35 PM. She asked Vice President Linda Tracy to take the roll in order to determine a quorum. Ms. Tracy reported 27 members were present, either in person or by proxy, representing 55% of the membership. A quorum was in place. Board secretary Douglas Strong presented the minutes from the last congregational meeting, October 30, A motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes as presented. The motion passed unanimously. Annual reports from the President/Board of Trustees; Committee on Ministry and Membership committee were sent to the membership prior to the meeting. Various members expressed appreciation for the work done by church committees and teams. There being no further discussion, a motion was made and seconded to accept the reports as presented. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Tracy presented the topic and referred the membership to the lengthy article in the February 2017 Red River Rambling. As a Reproductive Justice Congregation we are stating a safe place where women (and men) can explore all options concerning reproductive justice, including abortion. It does not imply in any way that Red River UU Church endorses or opposes abortion, only that here people can feel safe exploring all reproductive options. Upon approval by the congregation, we can place the Reproductive Justice logo on our social media outlets and will be listed as such on the Just Texas web site. There being no further discussion, a motion was made and seconded that Red River UU Church become a Reproductive Justice Congregation. The motion passed with a few members voting against. Mr. Althoff presented a brief history of the UUA Welcoming Congregation program and explained that we have never undergone the process which entails a small team shepherding us through several different steps, often a year in length. It was pointed out that we use the rainbow colors in our church logo and while we feel welcoming to all, this process is a good education opportunity for us and signals to LGBTQ individuals they know they will be welcomed. The motion to enter into the Welcoming Congregation process leading Red River UU Church to be certified a Welcoming Congregation was moved, seconded and passed unanimously. David Dyer, Jim Holmes and Marla Loturco volunteered to oversee the process. Ms. Loturco introduced the agenda item explaining that over the years we ve fallen short on having an organized way to extending help in times of personal need. There is no one someone can call to alert the membership when someone is ill, in the hospital, or experiencing a need. In the past the Caring Circle included the entire congregation (people signed up to help on an ad hoc basis to prepare a meal, be a driver, friendly visit/phone calls, send cards/ s). What is needed is a coordinator. A motion was 2 P a g e

3 made and seconded that we re-establish the Caring Team. Passed unanimously. Kelly Dyer and Megan Hutchinson volunteered to be co-coordinators. MOVING BEYONG THE PARTISAN DIVIDE WITHIN THE CONGREGATION ADOPTION OF CONGREGATION S GOALS FOR LOCKING THE DOORS DURING WORSHIP SHARE THE PLATE SUNDAY RECIPIENTS FOR THE NEXT YEAR ADOPTION OF A BUDGET FOR FISCAL ELECTION OF CHURCH LEADERSHIP Discussion about ways in which we as a congregation can move beyond the political turmoil facing the country. Discussion focused on encouraging everyone to be aware that there is no unanimity in the congregation regarding our elected officials, at all level of government. Mr. Strong volunteered to coordinate the UUA series A Call to Faith in Turbulent Times as a starting point. There was general agreement this is an important issue for us. No motion was forthcoming, however. General discussion regarding goals for the next church year (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018 resulting in the following goals: Establish a Mentoring Program - We are good at reaching out to first time visitors, but not so good at following visitors over time or tracking their involvement. Discussion suggested initiating a Mentoring Program, suggestion we might have a list of mentors at the door so the greeter could pass off visitors to a mentor; mentoring is happening informally, best if we could formalize it a bit more Finalize our becoming a Reproductive Justice Congregation (see above) Begin the Welcoming Congregation Program (see above) Make the Caring Team a functional part of the church so people know where to turn and so the coordinators have people who will help when needed (see above) A motion to accept the above 4 goals were made and seconded, passed unanimously. Ms. Tracy presented this agenda item explaining the board of trustees voted to lock the outside door at 11:15 am for a three month trial. Do we wish to continue, modify or discontinue locking the outside doors during worship? Discussion: When locked, people can knock to get in, but this is embarrassing;, doesn t portray being welcoming; have a greeter sit by the door; lock the back door but not the front door; repeat Robert Shelton s workshop on Emergency Action Team; locking the door gives appearance that we are afraid. A motion was made and seconded that we cease the practice of locking the doors during worship. Motion passed with only a few voting against. Currently we support the Texoma Earth Day Festival and the Grayson County Shelter. This year we contributed $763 to the Shelter and $839 to the Earth Day Festival. Discussion: Stay the course and continue with the same two organizations; it is important statement that we support local organizations. A motion was made and seconded that we continue supporting the Earth Day Festival and the Grayson County Shelter as the recipients of our Share the Plate Sunday contributions for Ms. Dyer presented the draft budget for Fiscal Discussion: Why $1,200 for child care when we don t have children? We pay to make sure someone is here when youngsters show up; Could we get a cardiac defibrillator installed in the church? Perhaps a grant request to NTUUC? There being no further discussion a motion was made and seconded that we accept the budget as presented. Passed unanimously. Grant proposal for a cardiac defibrillator referred to the board of trustees. The Nominating Committee presented the slate of individuals standing for various leadership positions. Linda Tracy - Vice President (2019) Megan Hutchinson - Secretary (2019) Dick Powell - Treasurer (2018) 3 P a g e

4 Jim Holmes - Trustee at large (2019) David Dyer - Nominating Committee (2020) Marla Loturco - Committee on Ministry (2020) A motion was made and seconded to ask the secretary to cast a single ballot electing all leadership positions by acclamation. Motion passed unanimously and with applause in gratitude for those volunteering to serve. OPEN DISCUSSION ADJOURNMENT The following concerns were raised The bike in Garage 2 - we need to get at least 10 of these bikes put together for which we need a work day; the rest can be hauled to recycle - No one volunteered. Church elevator - In the past we agreed to have an annual fund raiser for the elevator fund. Current cost estimated at $50K excluding modifications to the building in order to install it; a priority to get $25K raised. There are several places where we can ask for grants. Ms. Hill volunteered to be part of an elevator committee. In 2011, several members loaned the church a total of $50K to pay for our renovations. That loan will be paid off in (Applause from all) The garages are a mess. Let s clean them. Remember to save the usable lumber. Ms. Schulze volunteered to haul away the left overs. Mr. Strong agreed to head up a Garage Clean out day. It was moved and seconded that the 2017 Spring Congregational Meeting be adjourned. Passed unanimously at 1:39 PM. Respectfully submitted Doug Strong Secretary 4 P a g e

5 ANNUAL REPORTS Adult Forum - Jerry Harris We watched Terror of History: Mystics, Heretics, and Witches in the Western Tradition a 24-part lecture from the Great Courses series, followed by another Great Courses series Native Peoples of North America. Next we watched and discussed Before The Flood, a documentary about climate change. Each meeting, we have open dialogue and a round-table check-in from the participants. Building and Grounds - Marilyn Alexander With the help of Kerry and Minnie, the grounds have been kept maintained, flower beds weeded and mulched, hoses repaired, grass burrs sprayed, lawn and flowers fertilized, and annual flowers replaced. Dick helped one day with weeding and planting. Helen Schulze paid for a shrub to replace the tree in the front flower bed that died. Plants were purchased and planted in the pots on the porch. Kerry has kept the HVAC filters replaced on a regular basis, applied blackjack tar to roof in an area where we have had leaks, replaced a hasp closure on one of the garages, and repaired the playground equipment. Marilyn, with the help of Elbert because she was still in an orthopedic boot, replaced a burned out fuse for the chapel AC unit. Kevin replaced the sink in the kitchen and ran new water lines. He repaired some electric fixtures and cleaned the porch LED lights. He painted some patches in the chapel and installed outlet covers. He installed a peep hole in the front door. Kevin replaced and repaired a section of siding that blew off the back of the chapel. Kevin tried several times to get the stair lift to work. Finally, the board opted to purchase a new one and have it installed. An outside trash receptacle was purchased for garbage and the city provided us with a recycle receptacle. We also purchased recycle and trash containers with lids for the kitchen. Minnie continues to clean the church on a bi-weekly basis. On Labor of Love Sunday, members organized the basement and cleaned garage 4. Marilyn hauled away the discarded items from garage 4. Outside windows were washed, the refrigerator was cleaned. Books were organized in the 3rd floor library and in the glass fronted cases in the Emerson room. Booked for Lunch - Carole Harner Our book club meets once a month (currently the second Friday) at 1pm at church except during the summer. We have six regular attendees and several others who come occasionally. It s a great way to get recommendations for books and authors. Good books are often shared. A snack is provided. Open to book lovers everywhere. Earth Day Planning - Amy Hoffman-Shehan The Earth Day Festival Planning Committee is made up of members of Red River Unitarian Universalist Church and other community members as individuals and as representatives of Choctaw Nation Going Green, CORE, and Waples United Methodist Church. We planned the 9th annual Texoma Earth Day Festival, which was held on April 22, The festival included a key note address, workshops, children's activities, entertainment, vendors, a wide variety of entertainment, and opportunities to recycle many types of materials. More than 30 sponsors provided financial support, expertise and talent to create the festival. The purposes of the festival are two-fold: 1. An outreach ministry of Red River Unitarian Universalist Church, providing our congregation with an opportunity to live and promote the 7th Principal of our faith. 2. Create a culture of environmental awareness in the greater Texoma region. Moveable Feast - Marion and Elbert Hill Moveable Feast has continued to meet about once a month this past year, sometimes hosted by members in their homes, sometimes at area restaurants. The membership fluctuates as people join or move away, but is usually 25-30, and attendance at monthly Feasts has ranged from 10 to 22. One highlight of 2017 was a potluck in July at the church that recognized the 80s among the group (people who had already attained the age of 80 or soon would do so): Paula Blackshear, Bruce Cameron, Joe Combs, Marion Hill, and Richard Newlin. Communications Team - Doug Strong Over the last year, as the church communication consultant, I ve published the monthly Red River Ramblings, the weekly enews, submitted weekly press releases to the North Texas E-News and until September, to the Herald Democrat. Now under new ownership, the paper only prints special church events - not weekly sermon descriptions, maintained the 2 5 P a g e

6 church databases, the church calendar (on Localendar.com) and the church App. We use icontact as our marketing client (and released 133 different church related s this year) and Appsme.com manages our church App, which now has been downloaded to 149 separate devices. For the first time this year, more of you read the newsletter and enews on mobile devices than on desktop computers. A new church directory was published in February. I also prepared The Morning Program each week. I ve worked with various church committees in designing and producing printed materials (visitor cards, new member packets, stewardship campaign materials, etc.) The church purchased a new color printer this year which includes an ink replacement contract that allows us to expand color printing without costing a fortune. Marilyn Alexander, Amy Hoffman-Shehan, Marla Loturco and I are the administrators of the church Facebook page. Marla Loturco is our church web guru and has worked diligently again this year on finding a way to update our outdated web site without spending a fortune. North Texas UU Congregations - Red River s Representative - Marla Loturco North Texas Unitarian Universalist Congregations (NTUUC) is the cluster to which Red River UU Church belongs. NTUUC is a non-profit corporation with the current mission to Connect UU s to inspire, learn and grow. In the last year, NTUUC has sponsored or supported many activities in the North Texas area. For all activities that require a fee, registration assistance may be requested (like the SWUUC Fall Conference, Spring Conference, GA, NTUUC Training Events, Extended Leadership, etc.): o October 2016 participated in the Fort Worth Pride Parade and Picnic; o November 2016 participated in the Workshop: UU International LGBT Humans Rights Work held at Community UU in Plano o January 2017 NTUUC Awards Banquet; Board Meeting; Teacher Recognition Banquet; Officer s Dinner for all cluster Presidents and Vice Presidents o February 2017 Leadership training at Oak Cliff; Sponsored busses to the TXUUJM Legislative Action Day o March 2017 Small Congregational Conference held at Red River UU Church o April 2017 Board Meeting o June 2017 Leadership Conference o July 2017 NTUUC Board Retreat; OWL Facilitator Training held at First Church in Dallas o September 2017 participated in Dallas Pride Parade NTUUC also sponsors awards in the cluster for ministers, staff and volunteers. Red River has been fortunate to have someone recognized every year since the awards began for the Marty Robinson Volunteer Service Award. o The 2017 Carole Harner o Dan Althoff o Elbert Hill o Marion Hill o Carolyn Cameron o Bruce Cameron o Marla Loturco o Amy Hoffman-Shehan NTUUC is very generous with its grant program. Here is a highlight of the grants that have been given in the past to Red River UU totaling $53,920. o 2017 Microphone replacement and community outreach $3,000 o chapel ceiling $5,500 o Microphones; wi-fi $2,470 o Worship music; 2nd floor HVAC $7,450 o RE renovation; RE Coordinator; Guest Speakers $9,000 o No grant submitted o Retreat / Consulting $3,100 o AV Equipment; Long Range Planning Consultant $5,800 o No grants given o No grant submitted o Minister Salary Support $7,500 o Advertising, Keyboard 4,700 o RE Director Salary Support $5,400 o No grant submitted So if you don t know much about NTUUC, visit the website at ntuuc.org or talk with your Red River UU NTUUC Representative, Marla Loturco Religious Education - Dan Althoff Religious Education (RE) focuses on children s religious education in contrast to the Adult Forum, which addresses adult interests. We are fortunate to have two young people, Ellie Dyer and Angela Cates, to be on hand on Sundays to work with younger people in learning about Unitarian Universalism. These two young people have accepted this responsibility with enthusiasm and have made good connections with their peers. While we are still a distance from having a strong regular core of RE students, we are grateful for 6 P a g e

7 Ellie and Angie stepping up to help young people learn more about Unitarian Universalism. We hope this modest beginning, after many delays, will be the nucleus of a regular Religious Education program for children and youth. Safe Congregation Panel - Dan Althoff The Safe Congregation Panel consists of the President of the Board of Trustees and the Committee on Ministry. Its main function is to safeguard the wellbeing of all members, but especially the wellbeing of children and youth among us. The Safe Congregation Panel is convened only when there has been an allegation of inappropriate activity. We are pleased to report that there have been no incidents reported in the period October 1, 2016 through September 30, Social Justice While we did not have anyone to coordinate Social Justice last year, Red River was represented in a variety of social justice events. We o continued to be the reason Earth Day happens in Texoma by facilitating the 9 th annual Earth Day Festival o provided two lunches for volunteers building a Sherman Habitat for Humanity home o participated at the TX Day at the Legislature o participated (locally and in Washington DC at the January 21 National Women s March o participated in local protest vigils against the government s Immigration ban o held a 4 part Small Group Ministry program A Call to Faith in Turbulent Times o participated in the Science March Red River continues to be a Life Member of the Grayson County NAACP chapter, thanks to a generous private gift The Worship invited various Sunday speakers to address different social justice themes Red River is also a member of the Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry success, so much so that the next year Pathways UU hosted a similar conference on Religious Education. Arlington UU picked up the enthusiasm and hosted the 2016 small congregations conference. In March the conference returned to Red River with 25 attending with workshops on Church Growth, Stewardship, Use of Media, and Creating Religious Space. NOTE: For historical purposes, mention of the conference is made, although it technically is not part of the Annual reports. Worship Team - Doug Strong The Worship Team meets at least once a month to arrange our Sunday morning worship services. As a layled congregation we are responsible for assuring that we have a worship experience every week of the year. Drawing on UU clergy, lay speakers, and people within the congregation, the team strives to bring a variety of topics which speak to the diverse spiritual and religious needs among us. The team uses Evernote, an online application that keeps tabs on whose doing what each week and we developed two Google forms which are sent to each speaker giving outlining the flow of the service and giving opportunities for speakers to select various worship elements. Thanks to a grant from NTUUC we replaced our wireless microphone system. Some numbers: This year we had 1,478 people attend worship (3 less than last year); 23 children (37 last year); 65 visitors (90 last year) and our average number of people on a Sunday: 30.8 (28 last year). The team members this year were Robert Shelton, Tommi Sue Homuth, Angie Cates, Dan Althoff, Marla Loturco and Doug Strong with Marilyn Alexander, Carole Harner, Marla Loturco and Doug Strong - AV and Megan Hutchinson, Ronda DeCaire, Tommi Sue Homuth, Robert Shelton, Joe Jordan serving as worship associates. NOTE: Summary of Service Topics on next page Special Event - Small Congregations Conference III In August 2014 the worship team organized a Saturday conference Wide Awake Worship to help lay-led congregations learn how to create wide awake worship. The Rev. Dr. Christine Tata was the facilitator. Thirty three people attended. It was a huge 7 P a g e

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