From Rev. Susan Frances: September 18, 2020
Dear Friends,
I’m enjoying reconnecting with more and more of you each week. In this time of being physically apart, I have been relying on REALM, our new database and membership directory, in order to find your email addresses and occasionally to look at a photo to make sure my memory of name and face match. So, I am pleased to announce that we are rolling out REALM for our members and pledging friends this week.
You are invited to attend coffee hour at 12:15 pm this Sunday, September 20, 2020, via Zoom to learn more about REALM from Jessica Meis, our Communications Coordinator, and Adam Gough, our Congregational Life Assistant. They have a virtual scavenger hunt planned!
In 2016, UCE created its current Long Range plan. Part of this strategic planning included providing an accessible database to build connection, develop leadership, increase engagement, and enable members and friends to share their gifts, talents, and interests with one another. This was an expressed aspiration for the membership, social justice, stewardship, and lifespan learning councils.
As a result, a volunteer task force was formed to explore several options, leading to the recommendation of REALM. An Endowment grant to purchase the REALM software was drafted by Rev. Eileen Wiviott, Sandra Robinson, and Brian Nielsen and approved by the Endowment Committee and the Board of Trustees in 2018.
Since September 2019, pledge payment statements are being sent via email through REALM, which has been more reliable, as well as saving staff time and postage. And now, the final information from MEMINFO, our previous and limited database, has finished being migrated to REALM, and the staff and congregational leadership have started to receive training on the various features. In addition to the ability to promote connections within our community, REALM also has four levels of privacy settings, so you can work with Adam or Jessica to make sure you are comfortable with what information is viewable by others.
Be on the lookout for an email that reads “Join our Online Community.” Open this email and click the link to set up a password. You may also click here for video tutorials on creating your password and updating your profile. I am hopeful that you will take a moment to attend to your profile. As we continue to meet virtually, having access to email addresses, phone numbers, and a photo will help us continue to connect with each other.
I know it sounds a bit silly to say that a robust database will lead to a richer community, but because of the communication features in REALM, I actually think it will, especially while we are physically separated.
Speaking of a richer community, I am feeling fortunate to be able to conduct the pet and animal blessing on October 4, 2020. My mild allergy to animal dander has increased over the years, so I no longer attend worship service when there is an animal blessing. Since we are having virtual services right now, I am able to lead our Pet and Animal Blessing! My family has had many pets, furry and scaly, over the years, so being able to participate in this service is a great joy and one of the gifts I have received in the midst of this challenging pandemic. Please take a moment to send Adam (agough@ucvanston.org) a photo of your pet, you with your pet, or your favorite animal!
As we navigate this virtual world of new databases and online services together, I am continually reminded that these are tools that assist us in living out our values of caring for and connecting with each other. These tools do not define us, our relationships do. I’m looking forward to continuing to build my relationship with you.
Blessings,
Rev. Susan