Greetings from your Executive Operations Director 

It is always a pleasure to see many of you on zoom throughout the week for meetings, coffee hour and other connections. If you have not joined coffee hour after the service, I encourage you to do so. It makes a difference to see each other’s faces and to hear each other’s stories and life situations and to discuss important questions posed by the ministers. This past Sunday was especially meaningful as we had the opportunity to process the news of Alma Wood’s death, and to provide support to others in our congregation who are ill or have losses in their lives.  

Remembering Alma Woods and her significant contributions to the life at UCE. Alma mentored me on accessibility and helped me understand ways to look at all we do to ensure that our facilities and our programming are easy to navigate for those who may have physical challenges or special needs. Alma was co-chair of the Accessibility Team with me. This team was formed during the Five-Year Plan in preparation for a future capital campaign, which we are in the midst of right now. Alma provided vast history and knowledge about access and was so helpful as we decided on the LULA (Limited Use Limited Access) that was installed near our lobby. Alma gathered together in one room people who had experience with various accessibility issues such as hearing, vision, physical movement, aging and speech to name a few. We were all enlightened on the way we needed to view our space and our offerings to include everyone. Alma was a force to be reckoned with and a person who has always been there to help and to share her care and knowledge. She will be missed.  

Capital Campaign: We are now in the middle of our Capital Campaign projects with the kitchen, lobby and wing floors and shades, sewers, parking lot and walkway from Greenwood completed. Recently the lobby/wing project team (Johna VanDyke, Sandy Danforth and myself) met with a focus group to hear ideas of how various programs in the church use the lobby, including membership, hospitality, accessibility, religious education, UCE historians and others. They provided insight on decisions we will make on furnishings, flow and components to make the lobby welcoming and functional for all who enter. The Sanctuary Cooling Team (or as our leader Greg Grabowski says, “The Cool Team”) continues to research and make a decision on cooling. We have narrowed it down to two choices and are now exploring which is the most feasible for UCE, including considerations on the environmental impact. The team is Greg Grabowski, Andy Schlickman, Mike Drennan and me. We have Green Team and Buildings and Grounds represented. In the spring we will proceed with the Intergenerational Playscape and Accessibility Ramp.  Following in the fall we begin work on the Hearing Loop and Accessible and Inclusive washroom in the lower level. This is very exciting and moves UCE forward with many conveniences and upgrades for our congregation and all who use our space.  

Buildings and Grounds has had two meetings this year so far. One of those was a walk-thru of the building. We captured for a spreadsheet, projects that need to be done now, in one to five years and for a future capital campaign. Currently, Robb Geiger, Carol Nielsen have been working with me on a project to upgrade the broken steps on the east side and replacement of the railings. This will be done in the spring when concrete facilities reopen.  

Now on the financial forefront, please watch your email to make sure you receive your 2020-21 Fiscal Year Operating Fund Statement and, if you pledged to the Capital Campaign that statement was sent as well. If your records do not agree with ours please contact Vickie Doebele, our Staff Accountant at finance@ucevanston.org Thank you for your generosity and financial support of UCE. We value every contribution.  

If you plan to donate stock to UCE please contact Vickie to let her know your broker will be sending funds. This way our Treasurer Susan Comstock can check our investment account to make the appropriate stock transfer. If your broker needs our account numbers and information for the transfer, please contact me at srobinson@ucevanston.org and I will call them.  

We continue to keep a tight control on expenses, which is helping us during this difficult period. Currently our outside accountant Julie Pierce is compiling our information and doing the application for our PPP loan forgiveness. Julie and her firm are keeping up-to-date moment by moment with webinars and information to ensure the best results for their client’s applications for forgiveness.  We have had almost no rentals and no rummage sale so we are very grateful for the PPP as it has helped us pay employees and has provided much needed financial assistance.  

Integrated Stewardship Council meets monthly via zoom. We recently changed our meeting time to the second Thursday at 7 p.m. Each leader of areas related to finance report at this meeting and we address any significant items that may arise during the month.  

Stewardship: Marianne Griebler is our Pledge Drive Chair this year and she is working with Tom Carlton as we move forward in February/March for our 2021/22 Fiscal Year Pledge Drive. She has many terrific ideas in store including a celebration that includes all of the congregation.  

Fundraising: Serendipity Auction was a huge success and reminds us that we can have fun and raise funds during these COVID closure months. Susan Comstock, Jenny Walsh and Cathy Deamant, along with a very capable team pulled off an amazing event that was so much fun and it raised over $24,000. Bravo team!! This was beyond our expectations and our budget line item.  

Budget Working Group of the ISC (Susan Comstock, Treasurer; Rob Wingader, Member-At-Large, Rev. Eileen Wiviott and I will meet on Friday, December 18 to review and further refine the draft budget that was put together for the Ministerial Search Committee.  

Information Working Group of the ISC shares this information about REALM: There are still more than 250 members and friends who have not set up their Realm account. If this is you, please don’t forget to join our online community. On Realm, you will be able to update your contact information, access the current directory, see your giving history, and connect with your small groups! If you can’t locate your invite email, contact Adam Gough at agough@ucevanston.org or Jessica Meis at admin@ucevanston.org.  

Our staff continues to meet weekly via zoom. I look forward to each staff members’ warm smiles and hearing each of their voices. This contact brings joy and comfort as I work from my home office from day to day. The Board of Trustees has planned a holiday party for staff, which we so appreciate and are looking forward to.  

I so enjoy the work I do with the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee. It is an honor to work with these dedicated people who care deeply about UCE and work so hard for our congregation and community. They are always open to your input and questions at BOT@ucevanston.org. 

I truly miss all of you and look forward to the day when we can be together in our church building on a Sunday morning. My very best to each and every one of you and your families during this unusual holiday season. May you be well and may your find peace.  

Sandra Robinson 

Executive Operations Director