I’ve been swimming in the Fountain of Youth.
Well, not the Fountain of Youth, but a similarly rejuvenating body of water. The famed and sought-after restorative fount may not exist, but our family did visit Ponce de Leon Springs recently. These natural cold springs named after the conquistador and seeker of the Fountain of Youth are located in a picturesque state park about 85 miles east of Pensacola.
My soul was restored by the splash in the 68-degree, crystal clear waters and time spent enjoying the spot with family. The chilly water has an invigorating effect. The timing of our visit was perfect. Not only am I battered by waves at work right now, but August brings much activity at UUCP, too.
July 1 marked the beginning of our new church year. That means there have been some shifts in leadership within our Ministry Teams, in addition to the turning of the tides on the Governing Board.
As proclaimed on our website, our Ministry Teams make everything happen in our Beloved Community. We have a small staff and no full-time staff at this time. The teams work above and below the surface for our congregation. Now is a great time to familiarize ourselves with and remind ourselves of the Ministry Teams, their purposes, and the people who work with them. I am posting the team points of contact to help promote awareness of our Ministry Teams and to encourage more engagement. More info on the teams is available on our website.
Traditionally, each team had a Chair or Team Leader who anchored the team’s work. However, life being what it is, most of the teams now share responsibilities with a pair of leaders or a crew with individuals performing discrete tasks. The Caring Team and the Fun & Fellowship Team are two examples of the crew approach. One team, CRE, is without a captain, and more hands are needed for other teams, such as Building & Grounds. Gerry Donnelly reminded me that all members of the congregation are part of the Building & Grounds Team as we all have a responsibility to care for our building and property.
The Communications & Publicity Team is launching a new process. This team is responsible for maintaining our online presence through Facebook and the church website. Submissions for one or both of these venues should be sent to communications@uupensacola.org with specific instructions about what is needed. Just like with submissions for The Light, time is critical when submitting an item for the Facebook page or website. The more lead time given, the better.
Our Ministry Team volunteers are talented, caring folks who perform much-needed work that benefits us all in one way or another. We cheer them on while welcoming new faces.
For the uninitiated, maybe it’s time to dip your toes into the pool of UUCP teams. Or dive in. The water’s fine.
Until next time,
Lauren Anzaldo, Board President