Thank you to all 100+ of you who participated in the October 27th Special Congregational Meeting about the Building for the Future (BFF) Project. Making a commitment to gather in community on a Sunday morning to discuss, discern, and make decisions together is not an easy task. I have great appreciation for the time that each of you dedicated to being present with one another and for the careful thought that you gave to the question at hand. I also know there were many of you who were not able to be present who also committed much time and energy leading up to the meeting to learn more about the BFF Project and to educate and engage with others in the congregation. Thank you!
The resounding affirmation of the question, “Shall UCM continue developing the Building for the Future Project by approving the use of up to $15,000 from cash reserves and the Long Term Invested Fund to hire a consultant to assess UCM’s ability to raise the funds necessary to implement the Project?” means that the BFF Steering Committee is now working with the consultant to implement the feasibility study over the next month or so. The Board and BFF Steering Committee are also working together to map out what comes next for the whole congregation while the study is happening and afterwards.
You can still continue to learn more by visiting the Building for the Future bulletin board and table on a Sunday morning, by visiting the BFF website, and by reaching out to anyone on the Board, BFF Steering Committee, or work groups.
The BFF team would also like the congregation’s input about the current plans. Each member and friend will have an opportunity to complete a Preference Survey the next three Sundays. The whole congregation’s rank ordering of the different parts of the BFF project will be used along with the results of the feasibility study to inform recommendations the BFF work groups and steering committee make to you in the next few months.
You can take the survey at church on November 10, 17, and 24 after each worship service in the Vestry during the Coffee Hours. Or, if you are not able to come to church in November, you can print the survey, complete it, and mail it to the Church Office (send Attention: BFF Survey, with your name in the return address). The Steering Committee will call people mid-month to remind them to submit the survey if we have not checked their names off in the Directory by then.
It is crucial to this process that each and everyone of you feels included and that you have a way to share your thoughts and opinions about Building for the Future – even if those opinions may be in disagreement with others! In our community, we know that we don’t always agree, and yet, we strive to engage in loving discernment together towards a common purpose. I hope that each of you feels able to share your opinions and feelings openly and freely, and that you take the opportunity to do so as we continue on this journey.
What a gift it is to serve as your Minister and to be engaged with you in these big questions of how best to live out our mission and transform ourselves and our world with love!
With gratitude,
Rev. Joan