EOD January 10, 2020

From Sandra Robinson, Executive Operations Director

January 10, 2020

 

So much good is happening at UCE. Our interim work continues, our website is being refined and updated in a more user-friendly format, capital campaign projects are moving forward and much more.

There is very exciting news on the Capital Campaign. Our kitchen renovation began yesterday at 10 a.m. Crews have removed all cabinetry and fixtures. Our plan is on target in terms of timing and costs. You will notice on Sunday that the area is cordoned off with plastic. You will not be able to enter the work area, but you will be able to see that we are well underway. Coffee hour will still take place between services and after service at the back of the sanctuary.

The parking lot project planning is still underway with requests for pricing sent to out and due to be received by January 22. Greg Grabowski, John LaPlante and I (Capital Campaign Parking Lot Sub-Committee) will review bids for the lot, sewer drain replacement and electric to the lot. A report will be made to the CCIC at our early February meeting. Additional information will be communicated to the congregation as we move along on this project.

Please attend our upcoming Capital Campaign Town Hall Meetings – Sunday January 26 at 10:15 a.m. after the first service and Sunday January 26 at 12:30 p.m. after the second service. A timeline of upcoming and future projects will be shared with the congregation at that time. Much work on the part of the Capital Campaign Implementation Committee has been underway over the past few several months. Members of this team are Janelle Brittain, Chair; John LaPlante, Sandy Danforth, Vickie Doebele and myself.

You will notice beautiful new treads on the stairs going to the lower level from the lobby. These new treads have safety strips to improve visibility and reduce slipping. New tiles replace the severely worn, old and damaged tiles in the tunnel area, as well as the area just outside the furnace room adjacent to the hallway leading to lower level classrooms.

The Budget Working Group of the Integrated Stewardship Committee has met twice to begin the formation of our 2020-2021 budget. Many components go into this budget as there are moving parts that we must focus on, including future ministry plans. Members of the Budget Working Group are Susan Comstock, Treasurer; Rev. Eileen Wiviott; Tom Ticknor, ISC member-at-large, Martha Holman ex-officio as Board Chair and myself as Executive Operations Director and ISC Staff Lead.

A Budget Town Hall meeting is being planned and will take place in early February. An announcement will be in the newsletter, member-to-member and communication sources to the congregation.

Susan Comstock and I have been working with the Integrated Stewardship Team to update UCE Financial Procedures. This is a document written and implemented ten years ago and is revised every three years. This is an excellent document that serves as a guide on how we manage our financial processes and procedures.