Sunday, March 5, 2017
“Together We Can” – 9:15 and 11:00am
In Edward Packard’s 1970s “Create Your Own Adventure” book series, at the end of each page or so the reader was offered a choice, and in the choices taken, the story would unfold. It didn’t take but a few books to realize that the more daring a choice, the more interesting a storyline. As we explore this year’s pledge theme of “together we can,” we create the adventure of our church bounded only by the risks we take and the vision we share—together. Rev. Bret Lortie speaking.
Sunday, February 26, 2017
“The View From Senior High” – 9:15 and 11:00am
Members of our senior high youth group will share their thoughts and feelings through words and music.
Sunday, February 19, 2017
“Serving Those Who Served Us” – 9:15 and 11:00am
Due to the recent news that the federal hiring freeze will affect veterans and the services they will receive, Ministerial Intern Kevin DeBeck will discuss ways in which this congregation can help expand the our ministry to help serve those who served our country.
Sunday, February 12, 2017
“Marriage that Works” – 9:15 and 11:00am
What does it take to form a lasting marriage partnership with another? Romance is nice. Common interests are nice. But these are not what will keep you going toward what songwriter Patty Griffin calls a “mad mission” to the finish line. Maintaining our personal identity while opening ourselves to the language of another’s heart are keys to a lasting union. Rev. Bret Lortie speaking.
The Board Wants to Hear from You
The Board Wants to Hear from You
Submitted by Kerry Heckman
This year the Board of Trustees set the following goal: “Increase Congregational Linkage Through Communications”
Our original intent was for us to communicate more to the congregation, through media such as the newsletter. Then, we realized communication goes two ways and we’d like to invite the congregation to communicate with us.
The recent Presidential election may have some of us questioning, “Who does the government actually work for?” The government is supposed to work for us. That is the purpose of the Board of Trustees. We are here to work for you. We are here to understand and bring about your vision for the church.
In October of 2014, we developed the “ends statements.” We met as a church to brainstorm what matters most to us. Then, the Board consolidated our vision into 5 short statements:
Spiritually aware: We cultivate spiritual awareness, joy and wonder through words, music, the arts and the natural world;
Intellectually excited: We foster intellectual excitement, lifelong learning, truth seeking, and respect for our traditions of reason and faith;
Community builders: We build beloved community through inclusive welcoming, compassion, care, generosity and forgiveness. We create a supportive place to take risks and grow in service to others;
Diverse in belief: We are a people of diverse beliefs united by our covenant. We develop relationships that open us to the lives of people in our congregation, community and world;
Acting for justice: We act for peace and for social, economic, and environmental justice through study, advocacy and outreach.
Each year the Board, ministers, and staff “monitor” each of the ends statements to determine whether or not we are living our vision. We evaluate based on the content of the worship services, the programming of the church, and the connections we are building outside of UCE.
The nine of us do our best to represent each and every member of the congregation, but we are only nine people. We welcome input from all of you. How are we living our “ends”? What are we doing well? What could we be doing better?
For those of you who don’t know who is on the current Board of Trustees, here is a list of our names (our contact information is listed in the church directory):
President: Barbara Ghoshal
Vice President: Janelle Brittain
Susan Comstock
Heike Eghardt
Ann Gadzikowski
Kerry Heckman
Jeanne Kerl
Tom Ticknor
Gary Zacny
Pull one of us aside after the service, request a one-on-one conversation, email us, or call us.
We are here to listen.