From EOD: March 11, 2022
Greetings,
First and foremost, as Staff Lead of the Integrated Stewardship Council, I appeal to you if you have not yet turned in your pledge for 2022-23 please do so today. Our pledge drive chairs and
planning team are working hard to help us reach our projected goal. We are asking you to get your pledges in this Sunday. Your time, talent and treasures are so valued as we all work
together to do the work at UCE and in the world that matters greatly.
Two important events are coming up that I want to make sure get on your radar. We will hold a Rummage Sale at UCE on Friday and Saturday, May 20 and 21st. We will provide for the congregation a list of items we will be accepting. The sale will be held in the Sanctuary, Room 2 and 3 with a Café in the lobby. Since we are not using the lower level it means we need to thoughtfully determine what we sell. The Rummage Sale Planning Team is using spreadsheets of former sales to determine highest selling items. Our donation requests will be based on that information.
The first round of donations will be on Sunday, May 15 after the service with additional drop offs on Wednesday, May 18 from 9-noon. Set up will be Wednesday and Thursday. Stay tuned
for a memo from our team that provides additional information. In the meantime, we need volunteers to help us do this sale. It is an important event that is not only fun and brings visitors
to our church, but it is a key line item in our budget. Like last year’s pop-up-sale we will not be selling large furniture items, but we have a team who will help you sell member-to-member with proceeds going to the rummage sale. Please help us make this a success. Contact me at srobinson@ucevanston.org if you would like to help and/or if you know others who would be willing and available. It will not require the long hours for several days volunteers were expected to work in years past. We plan to have enough people to spread over the days of set up and the sale without undue pressure on volunteers.
Another exciting opportunity to meet with congregation members and friends is Saturday, April 30 at 7 p.m. when Emma’s Revolution (Sandy O and Pat Humphries) return to the UCE stage to perform their amazing music. How we need their voices and powerful messages of social justice right now. Tickets will go on sale next week. Images, ticket information and publicity will be distributed just after the 15th. Watch the newsletter, a special mailing to members and friends, as well as member-to-member social media (Facebook and Instagram). This will be a terrific
night of music as well as a way for us to off-set our budget losses during the pandemic. We hope to see you there.
When you are in the building take note of the many improvements that have been made over time. Liz and Steven have been busy following behind the Capital Campaign projects with their
organization and cleaning skills. Rugs are being shampooed in the lower level, the furnace room has been cleared for work on the air conditioning system, and reorganization of book carts and
other changes here and there all add up to a more attractive and organized church. Thank you to the Capital Campaign Team, to all of you who have donated to the Campaign and for all our
staff and volunteers who have been working hard to make our space more comfortable and welcoming for all.
A contractor has been chosen and work has begun on the installation of cooling in the sanctuary. Gleason Heating & Air Conditioning has ordered equipment, and has visited the
church as they begin their work. The anticipated date of completion is May 30, 2022. The new welcome center desk will be completed in a month or so. After interviewing cabinet
makers we have hired Arlan DeRussy who designed and built the UCE name tag cabinet. The Lobby Team is very excited about this new addition to be added at the entrance that will serve as a welcoming place for our members as well as guests to UCE.
A complete report of Capital Campaign projects and timing of each is outlined in a full report that is provided to the Integrated Stewardship Council and Board of Trustees monthly. That document can be shared with you, our congregation members at any time. Please contact me at srobinson@ucevanston.org and I can email it to you. Jessica Meis, our Communication Coordinator has reduced her hours to 30 from 40 hours per week while she is in school. Please be patient as we transition activities among staff in order to cover all the many tasks
Jessica so capably handles. Jessica is working with Liz Kennedy to transition maintenance of the UCE calendar. We will make an announcement when this transition is complete. Liz is closely
connected to the calendar in her work as Sexton and coordination of room set up so it is a logical move of staff responsibilities. Bear with us. We are all working hard to cover all of the activities as we re-enter our building.
Keep your eyes on the newsletter and member-to-member for more information about the upcoming Earth Day activities planned and Afternoon of the Arts.