I will be away from September 3 through September 14 If there is an urgent message for me, please contact Jessica Meis at admin@ucevanston.org or call the general number at UCE 847-864-1330.
This is an exciting week for UCE as we plan for the parking lot blessing scheduled for next Wednesday. Please see information in this newsletter. Greg Grabowski, Janelle Brittain and I have been busy working on punch lists, sharing ideas on landscaping, hiring our grounds care person to lay mulch, trim trees, and install sod. Liz and Steven have diligently watered new sod. Greg and I are currently orchestrating the installation of our new planters which will serve as protection for those who are making their way from our sidewalk to the accessibility ramp. These planters will also provide a spark of color to the entrance our church. Our parking lot and entrance to our beloved space is forever changed in a lovely way. In the fall we will resume planning for an accessible and inclusive bathroom in the lower level, as well as the Intergenerational Playscape east of the wing and the accessibility ramp from the southwest sanctuary door. Please visit the Capital Campaign page to follow updates on Capital Campaign projects as we continue to move forward.
Greg Grabowski and I are working on a team with Andy Schlickman and Michael Drennan of the Green Team to explore sanctuary cooling options for our sanctuary. We have been meeting at 9 a.m. every Monday morning for several weeks and will continue to do so until our research, the consultant’s work is complete, and we make a final decision on the appropriate system for our sanctuary. Once complete the consultant will prepare drawings and send RFPs to HVAC companies to obtain competitive bids for the work. I will keep you apprised in future newsletters, as will Janelle Brittain, CCIC Chair, in her monthly reports and newsletter articles.
Meanwhile, work continues on the wing and lobby as Johna VanDyke coordinates new lighting above the furniture and near the washrooms. Projects for the fall include new furniture for the lobby and room 2 as well as a streamline kiosk with a computer for the lobby where visitors can sign in and REALM, our database, can be accessed.
During this period of working at home we are all busy keeping programs at UCE running. On the administrative end of things Eileen and I have been reviewing and updating UCE Guidelines, Personnel Guidelines and Compensation Guidelines. Board policies call for 3-5 year reviews on each of these items. We are taking this time to ensure we are staying up-to-date.
I attended our annual board retreat last weekend. The meeting was facilitated by our Interim
Minister Karen Gufstafson and Board Chair Jessica Tomell-Presto. Friday evening was an
Opportunity for each of us to lean into the process, break out into small groups and get to know one another on a deeper level as we prepared for the work of the day on Saturday. We delved deeply into the discussion around Widening the Circle and sharing meaningful exchanges about white supremacy, anti-racism, and the work ahead of us as a church, board, staff and congregation.
After a couple of false starts I will be taking vacation starting Thursday, September 3 and returning Tuesday, September 15. On September 15 I have the honor of joining UU Regional
Executive Directors and Senior Administrators on a first-ever zoom gathering. It will be inspiring to share ideas on how our work has changed as we transitioned to working at home,
holding zoom meetings, and conducting essential fundraisers. Earlier this summer I attended AUUA days as part of General Assembly this year. We had a record-breaking 160 participants on a two day zoom event. These opportunities to share with colleagues is important during this time of COVID-19 church closures.
As you know, UCE’s rental program has suffered due to the COVID-19 closure of our building. We are now offering meeting space for groups of 10 or smaller, as well as outside space for groups of 25 or smaller, as long as they meet our safety criteria and adhere to our UCE COVID Phase 4 guidelines compiled by our UCE COVID Task Force (Executive Staff, UCE Attorney, and member physicians). If you know of not-for-profits or individuals who need a place to gather during these times, please let me know. Ask them to email me at srobinson@ucevanston.org.
Last but not least, we are almost ready to rollout REALM, our new membership database. Tom Carlton, Project Manager, Adam Gough and Jessica Meis will inform congregants about this exciting launch and how you can participate in upcoming newsletters.
Sandra Robinson, Executive Operations Director