Denominational Resources Group – 2024 Annual Report
The Good News: The primary focus of the undersigned has been on developing a process for selection and credentialing of UCM delegates to the UUA General Assembly, to result in a full delegation representative of the congregation. To this end, a draft process was presented to the Board a few months ago. The Board modified and executed the process and, with the assistance of the minister and the undersigned, recruited a full slate of five delegates (the number allowed by the UUA based on UCM’s membership). They range in age from 39 to the late 70’s; one is male and four are female. Three have previous experience as GA delegates. This slate shall be presented to the Annual Meeting of the congregation for affirmation. This is the first time in many years that such a process has been followed; the minister is due major credit for this singular accomplishment.
Two members of the congregation continue to be active in the Vermont Quebec Universalist Unitarian Convention (VQUUC). The Board has named the undersigned to be the delegate to this year’s conference on May 18th at the Champlain Valley Congregation in Middlebury, following which our delegate will become the president of the Conference to serve for the next two years. UCM’s other member active with the VQUUC is on its Nominating Committee.
Three members of the congregation have been involved in the Housing Organizing Committee of Vermont Interfaith Action (VIA). A fourth has just become involved and, as a result, one of our other members will be moving over to the VIA Corrections Organizing Committee to focus on issues affecting the incarcerated. There are serious problems in this area which demand the attention and involvement of faith communities. Our minister has applied to the UUA Fund for Social Responsibility for a Congregation Based Community Organizing matching grant of $750 to be contributed by UCM to the VIA.
The Not So Good News: A group of one is not a group. It is suggested that the congregation and the Board consider what message is being sent when only one person is carrying most of the responsibility for denominational matters and relations. The Board may want to appoint one of its members to assist in and focus on this area to recruit more congregational members to be involved. Also, it is noted with sadness that because of financial stringency, the proposed congregational budget maintains a reduced contribution to the Unitarian Universalist Association. It is hoped that eventually the contribution can be increased to its former more generous level, especially since the UUA granted UCM $50,000 from its Disaster Relief Fund to help with flood recovery. Report submitted by ~ Stephen L. Finner, Ph.D