From EOD: July 2, 2021

Hello my friends,

We are all looking forward to the return to the building in September. The Capital Campaign Implementation Committee (CCIC) project managers continue to meet each week, zoom in between and sometimes meet at the building in order to get the space in order by the fall.

Room two is on the edge of completion. New furniture arrived and carpet is in the process of being ordered. Beautiful new intimate ceiling lighting has been installed as well as new ceiling tiles. The shades will provide warmth and privacy, and still allow for sunshine to come through when they are raised. It really satisfies the need for quiet meetings, covenant groups, our Udumbara meditation group, as well as small memorials from time to time.

Most of the lobby furniture has arrived. New carpet was installed on Monday of last week. The team is working on adding children’s coat hooks to the coat rack area, as well as a new entry desk where visitors and members can check in, pick up information and be greeted by lobby staff and the Sunday hospitality team. Enjoy the photos of the progress we have made. We know that you will enjoy the visible changes as well as improvement to the flow and comfort of the spaces in the lobby and wing.

Old Carpet Removal

New Carpet and a Sneak Peak at the New Room 2 Furniture

The ramp and playscape project was scheduled to begin on June 30, but is delayed due to our building permit for the accessibility ramp. The Capital Campaign Implementation Committee is working with Nature’s Perspective toward a resolution of issues related to zoning and permeable surfaces. Sandy Danforth is co-project lead and will ensure that we move forward as quickly as possible. Once the hardscapes are installed, including pervious pathways, the plantings can proceed.

Sanctuary Cooling continues to be studied and discussed weekly by the Sanctuary Cooling Team. It has been a much more complex evaluation to determine our needs, match current equipment and plan for the future than anticipated at the onset of this study. A summary statement will be prepared in the days following my return. In the meantime, co-project manager Greg Grabowski is keeping the project moving forward while I am away in the coming weeks.

Rentals are beginning to return. Our Buddhist Sangha Udumbara is returning to a limited schedule in Room 2 on Saturdays and Tuesdays. They will eventually expand to the regular weekly meetings. Currently, there is a bike camp each weekday on the parking lot and in Room 3. This has been a very worthwhile adventure in many ways. It provides a safe, open space for children to learn to ride and do so safely while providing a much-needed rental revenue stream for UCE. I am in conversations with others about music events, weddings, memorials and other events that we are trying to figure out as we move into an expanded opening of our building.

Meetings and events are opening up slowly for our congregation. It will take time, patience and understanding as we change from closure to being in the building. Please remember to follow procedures for signing up for an event or communicating with Jessica Meis at admin@ucevanston.org. If you scheduled a meeting that needs to be canceled, please remember to let her know so that we can plan accordingly. Office hours and lobby staff will be more limited than previously. We will soon have a better sense of our staff hours and office hours, which we will share with you in the weeks ahead.

Finally, I want to thank everyone who participated in our UCE Parking Lot Pop-Up Sale as a table leader, participant, donor or whatever role you played. It was a big success. While the crowds were not as robust as we had hoped, we understand that the pandemic was still just beginning to wane and not everyone was ready to return to crowds. Additionally, events take time to build. Jessica Meis did a good job of sending out notices to area churches, publications, posting online garage sale events, and posting on social media. Susan Comstock and I projected $6000 income in our financial projections, which was totally a seat-of-the-pants guess early in the year before we knew what plans would emerge.  We made $3000 clear and free after expenses, which we are very happy about. Most of all, it was an extraordinarily satisfying way for us to gather outside and share time with one another. Lots of hugs and smiles were shared. Stay tuned for next time. We have documented all planning and hope to build on the idea for a future date.

Sandra Robinson, Executive Operations Director