Greetings Everyone,

We are in the final lap of our 2021/22 fiscal year. We are poised to have a successful year-end. Pledge statements will go out this week. If you have not yet completed your pledge payments for this year, please do so. This will enable us to meet projections for year-end. We have exceeded rummage sale and rental projections and are well on our way to a healthy financial recovery and start to the new fiscal year on July 1. Your generosity has kept UCE thriving. Not only is your financial support crucial, but your time and talents. Each of you bring something to this congregation that is valued and worthy. Thank you.

Rummage Sale was an incredible success this year. Not only did we meet our financial goal, we doubled it. Our planning team took a close look and a professional review of how previous sales had been done, what was successful, what was not, and took the opportunity post-closure to model a new refreshed sale and the changes worked. It is believed that containing the sale to one level and the new air conditioning in our sanctuary boosted buyer comfort and enjoyment, which encouraged sales. Guests were comfortable and spent time milling about the “department store” environment. Prices were increased this year, yet great deals were abundant. Grouping of small items limiting/eliminating items at 25 and 50 cents, increased income in each department and we had far fewer items at the end of the sale.

In last week’s newsletter we did a “Hats Off” for Rummage Sale, but we missed one of our very important department leads, Johna VanDyke. Johna did an amazing job of wrangling hundreds of pieces of art into a cohesive, organized hallway of delight. The art department was very lucrative selling almost $700 in the first 15 minutes. Even under difficult circumstances and not feeling well, Johna did a terrific job. I’d also like to give a shout out to our terrific small furniture team leaders Jinny Niemann and Kay Gibbs-Novy. Tory Bassani also had two special lead helpers Lisa Solomon and Joan Taylor. If we have missed anyone in lead roles, please let us know. It is impossible to list each and every worker whose contributions were invaluable.

Not only was Rummage Sale 2022 a financial success, but the set up and sale were so much fun. Everyone who helped has commented on how mellow and enjoyable their experience was. It truly was a community-building gathering of like souls who enjoy our annual rummage sale event. Some thought it might be time to put the old sale behind us and try something new, but thanks to our younger generation for reminding us they are still interested in keeping this long tradition going. Gillian Lawrence encouraged the planning team to look at new ways to make that happen. Gillian organized the children’s department and recruited help of families to set up and run that department. Gillian also took department heads recommendations on donations we should and should not accept into a well-organized and easy to follow instruction sheet.

Kudos to everyone who “Shared the Work” worked the sale, donated items, set up, cleaned up, and supported this effort. The well-used phrase “it takes a village” could never be more true.

This Sunday, June 5, is the annual church picnic. Everyone will have an opportunity to experience our new Intergenerational Playscape as we gather, grill, socialize and share in the dedication of the accessibility ramp so generously funded by the Woods family in memory of accessibility advocate and mentor Alma Woods. New accessibility buttons were just installed so that access to the lawn is possible for everyone. Thank you to Ruth Ormes-Johnson, Bob Mesle David Wiviott, and David Bates-Jeffreys for stepping up to be our grillers this year. Much appreciation goes to Robb Geiger and Woody Haynes for assembling the new Playscape furniture. Groups will be able to gather outside for meetings and enjoy the beautiful garden. A new fountain will be installed soon to provide audible and visual enjoyment.

Our rental program is growing once more. Baker Demonstration School has it’s graduation next week. PedalHeads bicycle training camp returns June-August. We have had several outside memorials, as well as music concerts, including Youth Choral Theater Chicago and North Shore Chamber Orchestra. Rentals are a key component in our budgeted income this year and next. It has taken extensive outreach and negotiations to rebuild this program. Not-for-profits endured losses, as we did during the pandemic closure periods. Our new air conditioning has been a good selling point for attracting summer events and weddings thus far. I will do more to market this new feature. As well, our multi-platform equipment makes workshops rental more attractive to renters.

On the expense side of things, we will incur repairs costs for the sanctuary roof. The wing roof was funded through the capital campaign and was replaced a few years ago. The sanctuary is showing signs of roof issues such as spalling, and a few leaks. Sanctuary roof repairs were not approved by the congregation in the capital campaign, but we now must follow through as we are experiencing issues. Three roofers are scheduled to look at the roof in the next few weeks. For every project in excess of $5,000, per board policy, we obtain three bids. We will choose the appropriate roofer based on scope of service, price and referrals. Our Equity Lens is applied to all construction project contractor choices.

Sandra Robinson, Executive Operations Director