Sometimes the only way to find a solution to a problem is by asking someone else for help. Another person, with a different perspective, can often think of things we just aren’t able to in moments of frustration. Try as we might when we’re stuck in a pickle, we need each other to help figure things out.

The other day I was given a small, rounded cube of lip balm after our presentation with Maureen Burns of the HAP Foundation. She offered a very helpful presentation on Advanced Directives, making our end of life wishes clear to our family and friends, and then she offered these little goodies with the HAP Foundation logo on it. I was delighted because I love lip balm. However, when I tried to pry open the tiny container, I was completely stymied. I tried to get my nail between the crease in the two halves and wedge them apart, but it wouldn’t budge. After several minutes of pulling, I thought I might stomp on it to break it open, but I realized that would destroy its precious contents. A cooler head prevailed, and I turned to my kid, Grey, for help. Before I could even finish the sentence, “Hey, can you imagine how this stupid container might op….” they had twisted it to reveal a perfectly round mound of soothing shea butter. Of course, TWIST!

You might notice that I often fixate on these small frustrations, these inconsequential puzzles. Perhaps it’s my way of avoiding the larger, unsolvable challenges. Life is filled with dilemmas, mysteries, and conundrums and we need each other to find our way through them. From loss and loneliness to the huge intractable issues of racism, injustice, and poverty, we need each other to be creative, imaginative, to find solutions, to help us to see a different way forward rather than beating our heads against the same walls over and over. You know that definition of insanity: doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results.

What are the bigger conundrums you get stuck in? What are the problems that keep you in the mindset of, “There is no possible way!!”? In those moments, we can try to remember to take a breath and be open to the possibility that someone else might see it differently. Someone else might intuit a new way forward. We are better, stronger, more creative, and more powerful together. Can we remind each other of that?

On January 21st, we’ll gather to envision a new way forward toward our shared commitment of anti-oppression and anti-racism. I hope you will join us at UCE for the Anti-Oppression Summit from 9-1pm. We have much work to do and a long way to go toward building the Beloved Community. We can only get there together.

And for those of you who asked, here’s a link to the article I mentioned on Sunday, “183 Ways the World Got Better in 2022”, filled with creative solutions to big problems.

With love and appreciation for all the ways you help me think, see, and act with openness and possibility.

Rev. Eileen

It is a pleasure to be back at my desk after a peaceful and satisfying holiday break. My priority was spending time with my ninety-five year old mom who needs extra care and attention these days. My time there was low key and filled with moments of family love and togetherness. I hope that your holidays were filled with quiet times and joy and that we all return together in good health.  

 On the Capital Campaign front, the lower level accessible and inclusive bathroom is underway. We experienced a delay due to metal channel supply chain delay. The channel arrived and was installed last week. The following phases of work include plumbing, masonry and concrete saw cutting. Once complete, this project will provide a welcome new addition to our lower level space.  

 You may have noticed the wooden bin in the lobby that houses our waste receptacles. A few tweaks need to be made to better accommodate our needs, but we are making progress.  

 As you saw in our previous newsletters, we are inviting congregants to join us for a focus group discussion on selection of sanctuary chairs. Please follow this LINK if you would like to participate in our zoom discussion on Wednesday, January 11 at 6 p.m. 

Our Budget Working Group continues to meet and are preparing a draft of our 2023-2024 Budget. Members of the team include ISC members Carla Williams, Board President; Rev. Eileen Wiviott, Sr. Minister; Tom Carlton, UCE Treasurer, Rob Wingader, ISC Member at Large; and myself as Executive Operations Director. A preliminary budget will be approved by the Board of Trustees on Thursday, February 18. A Budget Town Hall Meeting will be held by Zoom on Tuesday, February 21 at 6:30 p.m.  

Susan Carlton, Tom Carlton, Eileen Wiviott and I are heading up the 2023-2024 Pledge Drive Team which is a collaborative effort of staff and volunteers. Several teams have been formed to assist in this important effort. Thank you to Jim Strickler who has recruited members for the Support Team, which will be co-led by Laura Etchen and Susan Carlton. Thank you to Joyce Loftstrom, Ally Hunter, Emily Ekwhal-Sanna, Carla Williams and David Carling who make up the Communications Team headed by Rev. Eileen Wiviott. Thank you to Tom Carlton is the lead of data and pledge information. Tom, Vickie Doebele, David Carling and I make up the Accounting Team. We are working with volunteers who will head our “Celebration Team”. If you would like to be part of the celebration by making food, baking or providing entertainment, please let me know. I will pass your name along to the leaders when they are affirmed. We need everyone’s help this year in making this important pledge drive a success. Our goal is to fulfill our mission through our many programs and activities and to pay our staff fairly. It takes our entire congregation to make this happen and we count on your support. Thank you all.  

 Lastly, but not of lesser importance, please keep our space in mind when you talk with friends and colleagues.  COVID closure hit our rental program hard and we are still trying to recover. I’m working on marketing efforts to rent our sanctuary for music performances, music recordings, weddings, and memorials. I am reaching out to not-for-profits to utilize our Room 3 and Room 6  classrooms, which have state-of-the art hybrid equipment for holding meetings and conferences. If you know of anyone who would like to rent space at UCE, please ask them to email me at srobinson@ucevanston.org