From the Board

Goals provide a target to focus on while motivating us to stretch beyond our current circumstances. The Governing Board sets goals each year to prioritize our work. The 2019-20 Board established three goals at our August retreat. The goals involve clarifying our present situation and setting a clear path for our
future.

Goal 1: Work with the congregation and with Rev. Alice Syltie to create a vision for the church’s future that is aligned with our mission statement.

You may notice more explicit references to the UUCP Mission Statement in Sunday Services, in the newsletter, and in other communications. We want members of the congregation to be familiar with and proud of our mission. Our mission to Celebrate Diversity, Strive for Justice, and Inspire Love grounds our work today and provides a strong starting point for a vision of the future.

Related to this goal, Board members have been exploring our WHY and will share several exercises with the congregation. The WHY of UUCP will be considered at two after-service workshops, Oct 20 and 27, facilitated by Rev. Alice Syltie and Nancy Hagman, respectively. Also, the “Smalls Making a Big Difference” webinar will be broadcast at 6pm on Wed., Oct 16. We’ll participate and learn together in the sanctuary.

Goal 2: Increase the congregation’s awareness of our current ministry situation, e.g. part-time contract consulting minister.

After many years with a full-time settled minister, having a part-time contract minister takes some getting used to. The reality is that we cannot afford a full-time minister with our current annual budget. Instead, we have contracted with Rev. Alice as a part-time consulting minister, which is different than an interim minister who would help prepare us for the process of searching for a new settled minister. Members may feel that Rev. Alice’s time with us is temporary and/or infrequent. While everything in life is impermanent, Rev.
Alice anticipates being with us a few years as she helps us navigate the work described in Goal 1. There is no set  timeframe for a church’s contract with a consulting minister. A second one-year contract was signed in August. Her agreement is to be in town about two weeks per month, 20 Sundays per year. She is available by phone or email much of the time even when she is not in the area. Members are welcome to review Rev. Alice’s contract or to speak with a Board member for any questions about her ministry at UUCP.

Goal 3: Engage and support the Ministry Teams, including filling vacant Team Leader positions.

Ministry Teams require ongoing support to carry out all the amazing work they do in our congregation. All but one Ministry Team are covered right now. CRE needs a leader to work with our paid CRE Coordinator, Sarah Stubbs, in creating a meaningful program for our young people. The Ministry Team Roundtable on Sat., Oct. 26 will provide training and information for the teams while also connecting them with the UUCP Mission and long-range goals.

What goals do you envision for UUCP? I would love to hear your thoughts.

Until next time,

Lauren Anzaldo, Board President