From the Executive Operations Director

So much is happening at UCE. Our settled minister search process has begun, 2018-2019 budget process is in full swing (Susan Comstock, Treasurer reports in this issue), capital campaign launch is in progress, and we have hosted an overnight shelter for the past few weeks.

The overnight shelter at UCE has been a very important service to the community by Interfaith Action and area churches and supported by our congregation, volunteers, staff, and our renters. Udumbara has relocated to Room 13 for their weekly meditations, UCE meetings have been held in alternate locations throughout the building to free up Rooms 2 and 3, the choir has rehearsed in the sanctuary. Everyone has been supportive and caring. My favorite, touching moment was related to a concert rental in the sanctuary last week. It featured a pianist and opera singer. As I sat in my office I had the pleasure of hearing their rehearsal. As I left the church, shelter guests began to arrive and wait outside. Some wanted to come in for the concert. They were welcomed in. How wonderful to be able to provide beautiful music and a warm space, even if for the night. Liz and Steven have gone above and beyond the call of duty by cleaning each morning and providing a fresh space each day for those who stayed over. UCE is a very special place where love and care are provided, not only our to own congregation, but others in the community.

Join me in welcoming Pam Means, our new Sunday lobby staff. Pam is a lifelong friend of Elizabeth who left for another calling to work with people with disabilities. Elizabeth has offered to sub for us from time to time, for which we are excited and grateful.

Another bit of staff news…Razvan Sofronie is no longer our UCE accountant. This came after a thoughtful process. We wish him well. At this time I am making deposits, issuing checks and getting us up-to-date on daily financial tasks. On Tuesday a professional accountant recommended by our bank came in to do year-end tax forms, W-2s for staff and filing, as well as payroll taxes. This firm will give us a quote for doing the major tasks each month while we continue to explore possibilities for making sure the accounting position is filled in a timely manner. Our finances are in good order.

Melanie Kitchner has been helpful to me in reviewing statement information and making data corrections in MemInfo. We will proceed with printing and sending statements in the next few days. If you receive your statement and need more information or have questions, my email and number are on the statements.

Wing hallway, lobby, bathroom and Room 3 floors will be stripped and waxed on Sunday evening. It was our hope to wait until the capital campaign as replacement of the floors is on the list of projects. It is not possible to wait until funding and we will proceed with stripping and waxing. Lobby bathrooms will be painted and new toilet stall handrails in the balcony and lower level bathrooms will be installed.

Tom Carlton has agreed to be our new REALM database Project Manager. We are proceeding with getting pledge data into REALM with the eventual goal of launching this exciting database for members to use. It has taken longer to launch than originally planned, but we are making big strides forward toward that goal.

Please let me know if I can be of assistance or can provide more information about Buildings and Grounds, Accessibility concerns, Administration, Rentals or Safety needs at UCE. We have a new Safety Team and several of us will be attending a training tomorrow addressing how to respond and manage a variety of emergency situations.