The Search for Truth is Our Sacrament and Service is Our Prayer

The Search for Truth is Our Sacrament and Service is Our Prayer

Historical Highlights 1950 s (Membership: 16, 28, 45, 83, 74) Beginning of Unitarian Fellowship in Little Rock; first meeting held in Temple B nai Israel (Oct.1950). First formal services held at the Sam Peck Hotel (Jan. 1951). 28 members noted as of June 1951. Membership split over activism promoting racial equality in Spring 1953, first building fund started. Board of Directors started in 1954 42 members noted in June 1955 and the church began renting ($60/month) the American Legion Hall 24 th & Wolfe Streets. Rev. Charles A. Wing, Unitarian Minister-At-Large assisted the Fellowship 1960 s (Membership: ~110) Rev. Richard Kelley installed as the first Minister Church legally incorporated Nov. 1960 Moved from Fellowship to Church Status in 1961 Bought land on Reservoir Road just south of a dirt track leading to a Boy Scout camp Built and occupied its own building with first services being held January 10, 1965 $45,000 Campaign in 1963-65 (equates to $360,000 in today s dollars).

The new church symbolizes for us both security and opportunity. Security from the pressures and threats of a notalways- friendly community. Opportunity to establish a truly liberal center within the community, a radiating point of progressive influence reaching out into the life of Little Rock. A tribute to what a few truly dedicated and determined people can do. Rev. Rick Kelley, circa 1964 Bought additional, adjoining land on Reservoir Road almost doubling the size of the property. 1970 s (Membership: ~ 180) Church involvement and participation in many critical social justice and women s equality issues of the period. Annual Traditions established: Christmas Eve Candlelight service, Labor Day Goat Roast, Dinners for Eight or Small Group Dinners UU Film Society showing foreign and avant garde films 1980 s (Membership: ~210) Church embarks upon an ambitious building program to expand the sanctuary, renovate the religious education center and construct Thomson Hall housing the fellowship hall, church offices and the kitchen. Estimated cost: $265,000 Construction contract: $340,000 A Growing Season Capital Campaign raises $235,000 Rev. Jean Rickard serves as first woman minister of UUCLR UUA General Assembly held in Little Rock (June 1987) Began serving dinners at the Our House homeless shelter Endowment Fund established

1990 s (Membership: ~ 255) Burn the Mortgage campaign raises $33,360 to pay off the mortgage that financed the 1986-87 facility expansion/renovations Active participation in newly formed Interfaith Alliance Expanded the RE program including a full-time DRE Established Covenant Groups and a Young Adult group Advocated for gay rights IllUUmination holiday established 2000 s (Membership: Fluctuating) Celebration of UUCLR s 50 th and 60 th Anniversaries (Oct. 2000, 2010) Creation of congregational covenant At Peace Among Ourselves Creation of strategic plans and a new governance structure Greatly revised Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and Rules and Regulations. Moved to a Second Hour Church model; RE at 10 AM and Worship at 11 AM UUCLR became an official Welcoming Congregation Began the annual Blessing of the Animals service Many new programs and outreach programs initiated which continue to this date Cornerstone Society established to honor distinguished, long-time leadership

1951 28 1955 42 1965 110 1975 180 1985 210 1995 255 2000 198 2001 167 2002 175 2003 167 2004 183 2005 198 2006 213 2007 208 2008 223 2009 234 2010 201 2011 199 2012 165 2013 171 2014 134 2015 130 2016 150 2017 156 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 UUCLR Membership

Ministry and Outreach Programs Our House Shelter Dinners Stephens School Food Pantry Young at Heart RE-Questor Forum Sunday Circle CAYRE Between the Lines Book Club Women s Activity Group Sunday Lunch Bunch Covenant Groups BLUU Venue for Music Concerts and Movies Buffalo River Float Trip Small Group Dinners Prison Literacy Outreach Share the Plate Faith in Action Earth Ministry/Green Sanctuary Humanist Discussion Group Nourish Our Whole Lives (OWL) Youth Leadership Team Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scout Troop 6018 Choir Faith Development: Explorations of Short Stories and Essays Ad Hoc Camping Outreach to Homeless

Community Organizational Use of UUCLR Facilities Hindu class Narcotics Anonymous ARTEC-Transgender Support Group SGI Buddhist Group Social Discussion Group AARP Tax Service Assistance Cub-Boy-Girl Scouts New South Produce Cooperative Arkansas Coalition for Peace and Justice Kiwanis Fundraiser Red Cross Blood Drive Voting Location Social Worker Training String Camp Ecumenical Buddhist Society lectures

What are your HOPES AND DREAMS for the future of UUCLR Assume: That there are no barriers or obstacles to be overcome or that would stand in your path... What Programs would you like to undertake or expand? What Enhancements to this campus would you undertake? What would you: Keep Change Discard Add

Factors Influencing Historical Construction Decisions 1965 Sanctuary & RE Center Tremendous growth in membership; adults and children, Security from pressures and threats of a not-always-friendly community, Ability to more fully embrace UU core principles, particularly surrounding integration, that were challenged by our landlord relationship and community attitudes. 1986 Fellowship Hall/Kitchen/Offices Continued growth in membership, Desire to have an area for social events and gatherings where all members join in fellowship, Necessity to provide functional space for minister s office and administrative office that would be separate from RE director s office, Need to renovate facilities, expand parking and install AC.

Factors Driving-Influencing our Current Expansion-Remodeling Initiative Insufficient Sanctuary seating capacity - Resulted in a Temporary move of worship services to Thomson Hall Ageing, decline of existing facilities - 30+ years since any major structural project has been undertaken; the addition of Thomson Hall-Kitchen-Offices-Restrooms

Board-appointed committees to review needs and opportunities TRANSITIONS TASK FORCE If only one service were held and live-streamed into an overflow area, where should service be held? Previous Sanctuary: 67% Thomson Hall: 10% Unsure: 20% If two services were held, where should the service be held? Previous Sanctuary: 86% Thomson Hall: 6% Unsure: 7% Conclusion: Substantial majority desire to hold worship service in the Sanctuary TRANSITIONS II AD HOC TEAM If it is not financially feasible to expand the worship and RE spaces simultaneously, which would you prefer? Expand worship space, remodel existing RE space: 69% Expand RE space, remodel existing worship space: 13% Which has more appeal to you? Expanding/Redirecting the former sanctuary and returning Thomson Hall to a fellowship area: 78% Add to/remodel Thomson Hall to create a new worship space separate from office/kitchen/coffee area and convert former sanctuary to social space: 14% Conclusion: Substantial majority favors new construction in sanctuary rather than in TH

Four Areas of Focus: New Construction: Sanctuary RE Center Woodlands Interface Sanctuary Renovation & Upgrades: Thomson Hall Sanctuary RE Center RE Center Thomson Hall Woodlands

1. Ceilings throughout Thomson Hall and the RE Center a. Over 7,500 SF of Popcorn ceiling 2. Replace/Update Flooring 3. Replace/Update IT/AV/Telecom/Security 4. Patch & Paint walls (interior and exterior)

Lower Level of Sanctuary and RE Center Additional Classrooms New Construction Religious Education Center (2232 SF)

Estimated Investment Costs Sanctuary New Construction (3,464 SF @ $275/SF) $952,600 Renovation Sanctuary & Vestibules (2,105 SF @ $ 50/SF) $105,250 RE Center New Construction (2,232 SF @ $275/SF) $613,800 Renovation (3,864 SF @ $50/SF) $193,200 Thomson Hall Renovation (4,418 SF @ $50/SF) $220,900 Woodlands Site Costs (12,850 SF @ $5/SF) $ 64,250 Furniture-Fixtures-Equipment-Security System $235,000 Architect s Fees and Expenses $176,250 Klote Associates Directed Capital Campaign Costs $ 64,000 Total: $ 2,625,250

Estimated Investment Costs New Construction Additions ($275/SF) $1,630,650 Sanctuary (3,464 SF) $952,600 Religious Education Center (2,232 SF) $613,800 Woodlands Site Costs $ 64,250 Renovations to Existing Facilities ($50/SF) $519,350 Sanctuary and Vestibules (2,105 SF) $105,250 Religious Education Center (3,864 SF) $193,200 Thomson Hall (4,418 SF) $220,900 New Furniture-Fixtures-Equipment-Security System $235,000 Architect s Fees and Expenses $176,250 Klote Assoc. Directed Capital Campaign ($7K/wk) $ 64,000 Total: $ 2,625,250

1) No significant capital improvements in over 30 years. Facility is showing age, will need more and more piece meal updates and renovations in an uncoordinated manner without this project. Doing nothing is not a viable option for our future. While what we do will be determined by what we can afford we definitely need to do something. A comprehensive plan will ultimately be cheaper than constant temporary and uncoordinated fixes over the time it will take to retire the debt we may incur. Example would be even if we stay in Thomson Hall for worship it will need significant renovation to also facilitate social functions after services and at other times. At the same time the Sanctuary will need major renovations to function in some alternative manner. 2) Current facilities already do not meet our needs for RE and there is not a great deal of room for worship expansion. 3) If we want and expect growth of any amount (both by new members and retaining current members) we need both more space and more attractive space. 4) We have issues adequately serving members and guests with disabilities which detracts from us being a more welcoming congregation to members, friends and visitors. 5) Congregations must have collective and institutional vision and courage to survive and grow. This project is a classic example. As long as we go about this in the sane and sound manner we have set in motion the reward to risk ratio is very positive Phil Peters, Transitions II Ad Hoc Team Chair

Beyond obtaining architect s plans/estimates and engaging Klote to help with Readiness Assessment, Nothing has been decided yet! This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA