I am pleased to announce that we were approved for a PPP loan in the amount of $72,012, which could be forgiven. This will not change the budget for 2020/21 as most of the payroll expenditures will be made for personnel from May 8 when the funds were deposited into our checking account through July 3 which completes the 8-week time frame we must follow.   

I met this morning with CJ Presto, Accountant/former UCE Treasurer, and Vickie Doebele, UCE Staff Accountant, to document steps that are required for possible forgiveness of the loan.  

We are carefully following the CARES Act guidelines. If the loan is forgiven, this help stabilize our financial position, hopefully preventing us from reducing salaries, requiring furloughs or making layoffs. If reopening is greatly delayed our 2020/21 budgeted amounts for our fundraisers and rentals will not be met and will result in not meeting our planned budgeted income. Loan forgiveness is essential to help us overcome this loss.  

We have retained our staff during the closure period, including childcare, kitchen staff and lobby staff even though their services are not needed at this time. Our hope and intention is to pay these employees through at least June 30. If you are curious what the rest of us are doing as we work from home here are some highlights.  

Liz and Steven Eason check into the church every other day and keep things clean. They are available for special projects when asked. They have changed light bulbs, cleaned the lower level, carried boxes up for Carol as she stocks the kitchen, and sorted through Fair Trade items for Joan.  

Jessica Meis continues all communications, messages to members, newsletter and has kept the tracker for pledge drive, and does social marketing for UCE. She is currently working with our staff and board to organize the annual meeting on Sunday.  

Adam Gough is visible to many of you as he is working on virtual worship services, pulling together and producing the combined recordings of the ministers, music and other worship components. Adam is working on a project with Board member George Monical and Brian Nielsen is helping congregants who are in need of tech assistance for worship, the annual meeting and other virtual meetings. He assists small group meetings with tech needs.  

Vickie Doebele comes to the church two to three times per week to keep our books in order. Vickie provides reports to me and to committees and councils, as well as Endowment. She is currently working on pledge statements scheduled for mid-may so that members and friends can pay their 2019/20 pledges prior to the end of the fiscal year on June 30.  

Karen Mooney has stepped up immediately. The day she began work at UCE is the day we learned our member had become ill with COVID-19. She stayed until 9:30 that evening strategizing with Eileen and me, talking with health officials and making decisions about our closing. Karen has jumped right into social justice and membership efforts. There have been 11 people attending the virtual membership orientation meetings. She participates in some of the sunday worship services and helps extensively with pastoral needs.  

Rev. Eileen Wiviott, Karen Gustafson, Vickie Hellyer and Gregory Shifrin work on sermons and music throughout the week to provide such meaningful worship on Sunday morning. Their contributions have touched the lives of many, not only in our congregation, but beyond. Typically, over 200 people attend the virtual service and several hundred throughout the week return to the website to view the service. Eileen continues to guide staff and lead our weekly virtual staff meeting, as well as pastoral care. Karen Gustafson is engaged in her interim work with regular communications to our congregation.  

Sandra Robinson. I have been working on financial matters. Over the past month and a half I have filled out PPP applications, have prepared financial projections, and met with Integrated Stewardship Council, the Pledge Drive Team, and wrap up on the kitchen project. A good deal of my time aside from financial is spent with the Capital Campaign Implementation Committee. We are finalizing details for permits for the parking lot, drain sewers, electric work and a walkway from Greenwood to the building so that we can move these projects up to June. Johna VanDyke, Sandy Danforth and I are working on new shades and flooring for the wing and lobby floors.  

Your staff is working hard to keep the church meetings, programs, and worship services going forward without a building. Stay well, keep distancing and stay connected. If you need assistance in any way, please telephone the church at 847-864-1330. The call is forwarded to Jessica Meis. If you have questions about my report please email me at srobinson@ucevanston.org 

Sandra Robinson, Executive Operations Director