Annual Report of the Unitarian
Universalist Church in Eugene
Church Year 2014
(July 2013 – June 2014)
Eugene, Oregon, August 2014
Contents
Minister’s Report..............................................................................................1
Board President’s Report..................................................................................5
Aesthetics Working Group................................................................................7
Adult Religious Education Committee.............................................................7
Archives Committee..........................................................................................8
Building and Grounds Committee....................................................................8
Chalice Lighters...............................................................................................9
Communications Task Force............................................................................9
Community Offering Committee.....................................................................10
Coordinating Council.....................................................................................10
Finance, Budget, and Stewardship Committees.............................................11
Library Committee—The UUCE Teddy Salmon Library...............................12
Membership Committee..................................................................................13
Morning Doves Birding Group.......................................................................14
Music Program...............................................................................................15
Newsletter.......................................................................................................16
Nominating Committee...................................................................................17
Personal Reflections.......................................................................................18
Personnel Committee......................................................................................18
Poetry Groups.................................................................................................19
Religious Education Committee.....................................................................20
Religious Education Program........................................................................21
Service in Action.............................................................................................22
SIA—Earth Action Committee........................................................................22
SIA—Health Committee.................................................................................23
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SIA—Fair Trade Coffee Store........................................................................24
SIA—Hand-In-Hand.......................................................................................24
SIA—Interweave.............................................................................................25
SIA—Basic Rights Oregon/Oregon United for Marriage..............................25
SIA—Homeless Support Activities..................................................................25
Sister Circles...................................................................................................26
Small Group Ministry Program......................................................................27
The UFOs.......................................................................................................28
Worship Associates and Anchors....................................................................29
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MINISTER’S REPORT
Annual Report 2013/14
After ten months serving as Developmental Minister to the UU Church in Eugene (a ministry
defined as 3 to 5 years with the option to call), my reflections fall into 5 categories; the 4
mandates in our Letter of Agreement, and the more usual work of a Unitarian Universalist
minister.
In September, one had the feeling of an exhausted congregation. The cost of moving, renovating
a new building and working toward a congregation-wide social justice initiative was greater than
imagined—not only in terms of finances, but also in relationships and religious/spiritual
wellbeing. It seemed harder to recall that there were gains as well: a beautiful building, pride in
accomplishments and confidence in the ability to survive the storms. These came into play in
December when the building was flooded: leadership and members pulled together in ways
wondrous to behold.
Naturally, I am interested in the role of ministry here. If we look at the history of the church
since 1909, only 2 ministers served the church for longer than a few years: those between 1927
and 1941 (of 7 and 6 years respectively). Then, suddenly, from 1962 to 2006 a steady stream of 5
to 9 year ministries occurred. What happened? The 60’s cultural revolutions… the merging of
Unitarian and Universalist denominations… Also, I am intrigued to note that incomplete records
suggest that there were long ministries serving the Universalist Church in Eugene between the
1840’s and the late 1890’s. This too is an important part of your history and legacy.
With six ministers during the last seven years (one member remarked, “We’ve had a period of
time when even the interims wouldn’t stay”), the congregation is deeply cautious about
ministerial leadership. However, it is my perception that the insight solidified during this period
of time is a deeper sense that the church is its people. Which leads me to wonder: given the
tremendous depth of relationships within the congregation (friendships, productive working
relationships, marriages, partnerships, etc.) there certainly seems to be an abundant potential for
the church to develop long and successful relations with their minister.
Back here in the future, I have interpreted this ministry, which began in September of 2013, as
assisting in the development of the solid foundation already laid through the hard work of the
congregation, its leadership, and its ministers. To that end, I have attempted in this first year to
keep as much the same as possible, so the congregation might feel that its steady progressive
steps are not lost and that UUCE is moving forward.
First, the usual duties of the minister:
Worship has been characterized by positive responses to preaching, a fine music program and
an active team of Worship Associates; special thanks to Chair Jake Walsh. The monthly themes
this fall and winter have been the UU Association of Congregations Principles numbered 1
through 7, ending in April with “What’s Missing? (UU as its own source, mercy and kindness,
right relations, re-definition of traditional religious language all seem to deserve more than
inference). Through the summer we journeyed into the Sources of Our Living Tradition.
Moving the pulpit out from under the Exit sign to the center and the use of different physical and
liturgical configurations including a regular Story for All Ages revealed a flexible and
goodhearted attitude from the congregation. As part of the Worship Ministry, I was happy to
convene a Sound Team (thank you Ruth Ross for coordinating). Well received has been the
weekly meditative service I conducted each Friday from 5 to 5:45 PM in the cathedral room
South Entry.
Pastoral Care has been largely one-on-one, with a focus on review and recovery. I have invited
the congregation to consider this a year of healing and reconciliation.
Lead Administrative Officer duties have demanded considerable attention including the crisis
management of IT systems, facilitation of the emerging Rental Program, development of an IT
Team, a software investigation task force, and supervision of staff. The year ends with a
restructuring of office job descriptions, up-levelling the Office Administrator position to a
Congregational Administrator, and the development of a new Rental Administrator position.
(Spoiler alert: these were accomplished in July.)
The Letter of Agreement between the Developmental Minister and the Board calls for
developing the UUCE culture of generosity, welcoming and respect.
This is a most generous congregation! The building stands as testimony to your generous
donations of time, talent and treasure. My participation in the culture of generosity has been to
attend a plethora of financial meetings, arrange for a regional Stewardship Seminar to be held
here (it included three congregations attending as well as remote connectivity to congregations
in Alaska and Idaho); to be present to the financial appeal process by attending all Cottage
Meetings and designing the Extended Offertory at a May worship. Pledges for next year reflect
the generous nature of the church. It is a heartening sign that there are 49 new pledges.
Welcoming encompasses inviting people into membership, helping people find a place, and
furthering the wellbeing of the current membership. Facing some strong headwinds, it has
gained strength as the year has progressed. Mama’s Kitchen Second Wednesday
intergenerational potlucks got going during a spring 3-month trial. 270 voting members were
reported to the UUA for their Feb. 1st count. Since then 20 people have signed for a total of 30
new members this church year. This year has seen monthly meet & greet after-service gettogethers, Fourth Friday invitations to sign the membership book, a tour of the church building
and 3 new member orientations, two of which I participated in and one of which I led. Special
thanks to Erin Troberg, Membership Chair.
An important aspect of Welcoming is to embrace our larger religious movement and to
participate in the educative and decision making processes of the Unitarian Universalist
Association. To this end, I organized GA in Eugene, a Saturday evening and all-day Sunday event
concurrent with the UUA General Assembly in Rhode Island. Between 12 and 40 people of all
adult ages attended the live Plenary session, taped and live Ware Lectures, worship, and six
different workshops. This was also the weekend of the very successful Young Adults Campout,
which precluded children’s participation, but plans are underway for next year.
Respect has centered on working with systemic and governance development, which began two
interims ago and by necessity took a back seat during renovations. The aim is to enable structural
causes of frictions to be untangled in order to free up the natural flow of logic and creativity to
meet the challenges of this next era. I have coached the Board in crafting mission-driven policygoverned program-themed leadership, in order to staff and structure for growth.
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It has been my particular concern to focus on further development of ethical employment
practices through annual reviews of (1) fair compensation and clear job descriptions (2) clear
lines of authority and accountability (3) positive work environment (4) resources and tools
sufficient to the successful completion of required tasks. Many thanks to the Personnel
Committee and Chair Ken Ross.
The Board and I have collaborated to steer a course for governance development. There are
several ways congregations do this; we chose a mission/vision/ends process for this era as the
best fit, given UUCE’s already crafted mission statement. The Dreamcatchers 2 workshops built
on the successful process UUCE used to change locations. My contribution was coaching, codesign with Kay Crider (thank you, Kay!), and co-facilitation with her and all Board members.
(The plan is for the accumulated wisdom from Dreamcatchers meetings to be presented by the
Board at the InfoLink on September 21st.)
An exciting year lies ahead. More detailed work can be done by the 5 ministries according to
which the UUCE budget has been organized for the last 3 years: Worship; Social Justice;
Administration; Connecting (i.e. lifespan religious education, growth & learning, as well as
support and creativity groups); and Stewardship. With both foundational values and aspirational
results in hand, appreciative inquiry can emerge, asking how to move ahead with a clear strategy
and a sense of the resources required—not only financial, but also physical plant, staff and
volunteer. How would we know if we succeeded? How shall we transform ourselves? What does it
mean to be a public church? Why do we exist?
This year, a Kindness Project was initiated by members and has sought to gently turn up the
volume on this aspect of congregational life. Together we worked on a worship service – thank
you all.
The word “culture” precedes all these developmental ministry foci. The juxtaposition of the
West Coast, of Oregon, of Eugene, of the diversities and the homogeneities of this church with
the legacies and aspirations of Unitarian Universalism converge in this church to create a specific
culture. It is an interesting journey of inquiry, as we develop so much that is of the good toward
a healthy, zesty and flourishing future.
I would like to thank the Board, a finer group of people one could not hope to work with, and the
good willed skilled leadership in the church. Especial thanks to President Susan Verner. It is an
honor to serve this congregation during this particular era of its history; I look forward to our
mutual ministry.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sydney
The Rev. Dr. Sydney Amara Morris
August, 2014
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BOARD PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Annual Report 2014
This church year of 2013–2014 will prove to be a keystone in the building of UUCE. At the
beginning of the year, the Board had finished major construction projects and pivoted quite
neatly to rebuilding community and becoming a program church. This year was a truly
transformative time for our church.
We’re proud for UUCE to have been among the first churches in the UUA to participate in the
cutting-edge Developmental Ministry program, designed to strengthen congregations over a
period of time. To be successful, both the church and the minister must have genuine
enthusiasm, a dedication to hard work, and a deep commitment to Unitarian Universalism.
UUCE worked with our Pacific Northwest District and the UUA to make an excellent match, the
Rev. Dr. Sydney A. Morris, an experienced leader of congregations small and large. The Board
spent the year working closely with her, knowing that Rev. Sydney would be on staff for long
enough to help us achieve our goal of growth in community. Finally, we had the luxury of time!
The Board contract with Rev. Sydney is for three to five years, with an option to call. We are
fortunate indeed, since the church needs a good long while to build on the work so very many
have done for so very long.
The Board asked our developmental minister for her collaboration in strengthening UUCE’s
culture of generosity, welcoming, and respect. What this meant in practical terms is intense work
on stewardship, membership, governance, and right relations. We also asked that Rev. Sydney
help the congregation to feel more connected to our Unitarian Universalist movement,
throughout our Pacific Northwest region, our nation, and our world. Church culture here had
often looked inward; it was the Board’s goal for congregants to look outward. We are part of a
historic religion, one that is always on the front lines of social change, and it is liberating for each
congregant to feel that connection.
This was the year the church leadership put away its hard hats and returned to governance, a
topic the Board had tried to address but had neglected while it dealt with operations. We
appointed a Governance Task Force (GTF) and charged them with reporting how to streamline
and illuminate the governance of UUCE. The overarching goal is to empower our members so
that we can each contribute to our beloved community. They were further asked to identify
which UUCE ministries do what, determine responsibilities within each ministry, and delineate
accountability.
The GTF was comprised of Wanda Kuenzli, Jon Miller, and Mary Otten. They met with the Board
and suggested that the church build on the work it had done with the Rev. Dr. Alicia Forsey, two
interims ago. We took their suggestions, simplified the model, and are moving toward its
implementation. This crucial governance work continues as we simplify, update, and figure out
how to make practical a governance model for this vibrant congregation. We know from other
churches that refining governance is a multi-year project, one in which patience and prudence go
hand in hand with polity.
After the challenges of the building project, the Board sought to model respect and welcoming
for each and every member, friend, and visitor. We agreed that a tangible way to do so, while
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honoring the history of construction, would be to resurrect the spirit of Momma’s Table. We
sponsored monthly potlucks, dubbed Momma’s Table 2, to which all were heartily invited,
especially our Religious Education families. Anyone who brought a child did not bring a dish; it
was the joy of the congregation to support them. This is a practice that we hope to continue next
year, although the name and format may differ.
With our generosity goal in mind, the Board selected Lesley Rex to head UUCE’s annual fund
drive. She organized countless dozens of helpers, set up home hospitality for cottage meetings,
and produced elegant publications. Our stalwart Rev. Sydney attended each, and our campaign
netted record contributions. The church added almost fifty new pledge units, a startling amount,
especially given recent turnover. Fiscal Year 2013–2014 ended with a surplus, partly due to 99 %
plus pledge fulfillment. This is an historic anomaly, a testament to our members’ commitment to
our church’s future.
Another major theme of the Board this past year was for UUCE to be responsible and ethical
employers, allowing employees to be successful. In that vein, the Board twice passed resolutions
clarifying the role of the minister as Lead Administer Officer. One of the casualties of having had
six ministers in the past seven years was an erosion of the office of the minister. The Board is
aware that its resurrection will take some time, but we are committed to working with the
minister to reinforce this foundational position.
The next couple years will see the Board extricate itself from daily operations and move into
appropriate policy governance. We will be in constant discussions with the congregation about
their vision for where they want the church to go. The Board will then write simple, clear policies
setting the direction for UUCE. Delegating to staff and other church leaders, using ongoing
communication and monitoring, the Board will help make our collective dreams real. Such
governance relies on congregational trust, honest accountability, and having the whole guide the
Board.
With joy and gratitude we thank our members and friends for their support. This is no easy
thing, growing from a pastoral church into a program church. Many congregations have
struggled to make the leap in staff, membership, and culture. The Board has full faith in the
ability of UUCE to continue to thrive, to nourish, and to sustain us all throughout our lives. In
short, our church is well launched to cross the bar and sail on into uncharted waters!
I thank you for the honor of serving as your president. It has been a journey fraught with
challenges and rewards. I have had unwavering support from a strong Board, inspiring ministers,
and a compassionate congregation. May it always be so for future leaders here at UUCE. We are
all, after all, in service to our mission: Empowered by love, we transform ourselves and serve our
world. And so we shall.
Yours in faith,
Susan Verner
August 2014
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AESTHETICS WORKING GROUP
MARTHA SNYDER, CHAIR
Committee Members: Martha Snyder (Chair), Betty Ehrlich, Wanda Kuenzli, Linda Meyer,
Janice Rutherford, Scott Hovis
Our purpose is to assure that the visual appearance of our church reflects our UU principles,
through collaborative decision making and implementation.
We are pleased to report that we have met most of the goals and then some.
• Paint the classrooms with fun identifying colors.
• Design a color palate for the chapel, south entrance, east entrance and the east wall of the
sanctuary.
• Install and maintain bulletin boards for the social hall.
• Decorate the sanctuary with indoor palms and drapes.
• Install quilts, fabric art, and artwork from the past church.
• Finish the south outside doors with lovely handles.
• Designed a donor appreciation sign for the south entrance.
Future goals:
• Initiate the art wall.
• Get the logo for the sanctuary east wall.
• Decide where the historic old church window should go.
• Establish items to aid in the renting of the church for weddings.
• Help to envision a more welcoming north entry.
Material obtained from UUCE web site, August 2014
ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COMMITTEE
ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION’S MISSION has been to promote, encourage, and affirm our
congregation’s spiritual growth and “free and responsible search for truth and meaning” as
expressed by the Unitarian Universalist Seven Principles.
Through the reorganization of the Church, Adult Religious Education (Adult RE) is no longer
a standing committee. Now part of the Religious Education Ministry under the leadership of
Religious Education Director Katy Siepert, Adult RE liasons—Brian Lewis, Dick Loescher, Barb
Prentice and Lesley Rex—support programming that serves multigenerational, lifespan religious
education.
To achieve this purpose, in 2013 the Adult RE liaisons surveyed the congregation, organized a
rich variety of educational experiences, and assisted UUCE members in conducting them.
Discussion forums of thought provoking topics after Sunday services continued on from 2012.
Thirteen forums were held led by Martin Lewis, Diane Conrad, Martha Osgood, Gretchen Miller,
Fred Schultz, Bonnie Phipps, Marilyn Milne, Elliot McIntire, Jeanne-Marie Moore, Dan
Robinson, Amy Raven and d. maria, Bob Coleman, and Garry Ehrlich.
Kirk Taylor and Livvie Taylor-Young presented five decades of United States history seen
through the lens of UU principles and a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the
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assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Two reading groups read the UUA recommended
book, Behind the Kitchen Door by Saru Jayaraman.
Two popular courses were reprised and well attended: End of Life, taught by Sally O’Donnell
and Janice Rutherford; and Building Your Own Theology, taught by Brian Lewis. Diane Conrad
conducted viewings and discussion of the online course What is Justice?
Three presentations initiated a new series—The Untalked Abouts—about stigmatized topics:
suicide and its prevention led by Sandy Moses; transgender identity and equality workshops
conducted by Nisco Junkins and guest leader, Kimberly; and support for those living with mental
illness and their families through NAMI services conducted by Rachel Cummings, Jon Miller,
Lesley Rex and guest presenter Barb Schaefers.
Submitted by Lesley Rex, April 2014
ARCHIVES COMMITTEE
JOHN CLAY, CHAIR
THE ARCHIVES COMMITTEE preserves and represents our church history. Our charge is as follows:
... to collect and preserve documents regarding the history of the church, including minutes
and other materials from the Board, committees and individuals. The committee will sort and
organize the material and make decisions regarding material that is to be kept. At suitable
times, this committee may be asked to update the church history.
This year we have been actively sorting and organizing our holdings. This activity is nowhere
near finished and will continue for quite a while. We need more hands and minds involved, so
anyone interested in helping will be welcome and appreciated. We typically meet on the second
Tuesday of the month, but have been varying our meetings lately; check the weekly schedule or
contact John Clay if you want to join us.
The Archives Committee is also responsible for preparing the church's annual report from
material submitted by the various committees and groups, and in 2012 we published a history of
our church, from our Universalist forebears, to our founding in 1909, on through our move to the
new church in 2012. There are still copies of the book available—the price is $15—and they are
available on request.
Members: John Clay (Chair), Kathleen Dillon, Eve McConnaughey.
Submitted by John Clay, August 2014
BUILDING
AND
GROUNDS COMMITTEE
Charter: Guiding and performing Continuing Maintenance, Upgrades, and Improvements to
the UUCE Building and Grounds through:
 Committee of 5–6 member volunteers to execute the above strategy
 Contractors and volunteers to carry out priorities established by the committee
 Fiscally responsible use of the Committee’s annual budget from the Board of Trustees
 Collaboration with the Board of Trustees
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Great Year: We finally got our Final Occupancy Permit, after many small changes and additions
including swing the play yard gates “out” rather than “in”, Oh and reduce their width by 1” and 5”
to 48”, ADA standard. Also replaced outdoor exit lighting to be on, not motion sensing, per code.
 Contracted and managed finishing and painting the exterior of the building
 Kitchen ceiling tiles replaced/repaired, ready for paint
 Returned excess electrical equipment for cash
 Sold last floor grinder for cash
 Donated a space heater to a community supported shelter
 Sealed air leaks around the building
 Hung eight closet doors in the RE corridor
 Managed the dry out and rebuild after the “FLOOD”
 Installed salvaged oak flooring in the sound booth
 Washed and lemon oiled oak and upholstered chair salvaged from Peace Health
Many large and small projects done and many yet to do to complete the building. Most of this
done by volunteers. Thank you all.
Members: Eric Swegles, Chair; Emmet Band; Bob Kaeser; Charlie Eckerson(left in April); John
White (New); Sarah Hendrickson; and Gretchen Miller
Submitted by Eric Swegles, June 2014
CHALICE LIGHTERS
EMMET BAND, AMBASSADOR
THE CHALICE LIGHTERS PROGRAM creates communities of support for the congregations of the
Pacific Northwest District of the UUA. Program participants agree to contribute a minimum of
$15.00 for each of the three annual calls in support a UU congregation within the district.
This past year the Chalice Lighters program supported congregations in Olympia and
Kirkland Washington and Bend, Oregon. The final call of the year for Bend, Oregon, generated
more than $20,000.
In 2012 UUCE completed a grant application and received a check from PNWD that allowed
us to purchase the risers used by our choirs.
As a congregation UUCE is hovering just below a 50% participation at 47.78%.
Submitted by Emmet Band, August 2014
COMMUNICATIONS TASK FORCE
THE COMMUNICATIONS TASK FORCE (CTF) was established in January 2013 as a subgroup of the
Coordinating Council with the approval of the Board and the Minister. The CTF, chaired by Dick
Loescher, has met regularly since then. Its charge is to develop policies and procedures related to
communications within UUCE and from UUCE to the wider community.
People invited to participate in the CTF have included representatives of the Weekly News
e-Bulletin/Order of Service editors, the web team, the newsletter editor, Social Justice Groups
(currently called Service in Action), the Membership Committee, the Aesthetics Committee, the
Minister, the Director of Religious Education, the Board, and a person working with church
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rentals. Members of the CTF also collaborate with church office and professional staff regarding
the Order of Service and calendaring. The minutes of the CTF on the UUCE website document
the attendees and specific discussions and decisions made regarding multiple topics.
In the fall of 2013 several meetings were held with interested church people regarding
implementation of use of the chapel as the location for the information and fundraising tables
after Sunday church services.
The members of the CTF believe that it will be valuable and needed for this group or some
similar group to meet on an ongoing basis.
Respectfully submitted, Dick Loescher, Chair, Communications Task Force, May 28, 2014
COMMUNITY OFFERING COMMITTEE
In 2013–2014, our church continued a tradition of giving away the congregation’s entire offering
on the third Sunday of each month. Our program of planned generosity is now eight years old.
We give to nonprofits whose work focuses on elements of our seven principles. The Third
Sunday Committee selects recipients where our church’s donations can make a difference, the
need is great, the groups represent a wide variety of goals, we have not given before, and the
impact will be local, national or international. Nominations come from the congregation, church
staff, committee members, and others.
In 2013, we donated $14,360 in eleven months. (April was Music Sunday, so no contribution
was collected.) From January through April 2014, our donations have totaled $6,512.52. The full
list of recipients and amounts are on our web page, http://uueugene.org/community-offering.
The committee members are Kathy Fitzgerald, Gretchen Miller, and Marilyn Milne. Please
contact any of us with your suggestions for future recipients. Information is on the web page.
We believe our congregation should be proud and humbled by the contributions we have
made and continue to make. Thank you for your part in making it happen.
Submitted by Marilyn Milne, Community Offering Committee member, May 2014
COORDINATING COUNCIL
DICK LOESCHER, FACILITATOR
THE COORDINATING COUNCIL (Council) solidified its identity during the 2008-2009 church year.
The following mission statement and charge were approved unanimously on December 13, 2008,
by the Council, and on January 15, 2009, by the Board of Trustees (Board).
Mission Statement
To facilitate communication between the many groups that make up our church community.
Charge
The Coordinating Council promotes communication and cooperation among the councils,
committees, and affiliated groups of our congregation. It serves as the clearinghouse for
scheduling major events; and it provides a regular forum for committees to report their
activities, discuss and develop new ideas, address problems and issues that span the work of
more than one committee, harmonize the church calendar, and recommend changes in the
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overall programs and policies of the Church. In so doing, the council helps keep the shared
goals and common purpose of our many and diverse committees clearly in focus. The council
may also consider policy or procedure changes as may be referred to it by the Board of
Trustees.
While representatives from all committees and councils are welcome at meetings, those
committees whose goals span the work of several others, such as Worship Associates,
Membership and Social Justice are particularly encouraged to use the Coordinating Council
as a forum for the discussion of issues affecting a broad spectrum of the congregation.
Over the years, many groups in the church have sent representatives to Council meetings and
shared what they have done and what their plans are. Time at each meeting is set aside for
Committee Reports. These are both interesting and useful, as we learn what is going on in other
corners of the church. The meetings are a way of building community, generating ideas,
recruiting help, encouraging participation, and giving feedback!
For most of the church year 2013–2014, a member of the Board of Trustees attended the
meetings and gave highly-appreciated reports on Board activities.
Since 2010, the Board has discussed the role that the Coordinating Council will have when we
change our governance structure to accommodate our change from a pastoral to a program-sized
church. Whether the Coordinating Council will continue in its current form or will be
supplanted by other organizational structures is to be determined. There is general agreement
that the needs addressed by the Council, especially in the area of communication, will still need
to be met, regardless of the church’s organizational structure.
In January 2013 a subgroup of the Coordinating Council, called the Communications Task
Force (CTF), was established with the approval of the Board and the Minister. The CTF, chaired
by Dick Loescher, has met regularly since then. Its charge is to develop policies and procedures
related to communications within UUCE and from UUCE to the wider community. Additional
details are available in the annual report of the CTF.
Dick Loescher, Coordinating Council Meeting Facilitator, and Ken Ross, Coordinating Council
Secretary, May 2014
FINANCE, BUDGET,
AND
STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEES
Currently, there are three areas within Finance: Financial Oversight Committee (FOC), Budget
Committee, and Stewardship Ministry Team
THE FOC meets on the third Monday of each month. Responsibilities include reviewing the
most recent Profit and Loss Statement and Balance Sheet, noting substantial variances between
actual and budget, and discussing the reasons for those variances. In addition, FOC is
responsible for review of financial policies and making recommendations for revisions, as
needed.
After receiving Building Final Occupancy from the City of Eugene, the FOC has been working
on closing the Capital Campaign Fund and establishing a Building Fund for major repairs and
improvements. All vendors with whom we worked during construction have been notified of the
requirement for a purchase order and signature accounts were canceled.
FOC Members: John Wagner, Chair, Olga Turner, Lori Maddox, Garry Ehrlich, and Phyllis
O’Neill, Treasurer.
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THE BUDGET COMMITTEE met weekly through April and May to develop the proposed budget
for 2014–2015. After review by the board and additional generous donations during an Extended
Offering, a final proposal was submitted to the congregation for review and a vote at the
Congregational Meeting on June 8.
Budget Committee Members: Dave DeCou, Lori Maddox, Olga Turner, and Phyllis O’Neill,
Treasurer.
THE STEWARDSHIP MINISTRY TEAM was formed to review the various income sources for
UUCE and find ways to strengthen and support those efforts. During this fiscal year, the team
made recommendations for Stewardship Chairperson, reviewed Planned Giving Program,
formed a team to move that program forward, and met with the Fundraising Chairperson
regarding the committee’s structure, ideas, and plans for the fiscal year. Recommendations were
made to plan at least two major fundraising events each year and to include an annual auction
and holiday bazaar, as these events have been highly successful in the past.
Stewardship Ministry Team Participants: George Carroll, Elliot McIntire, Olga Turner, Phyllis
O’Neill, Treasurer, and Rev. Sydney Morris.
Submitted by Phyllis O’Neill, May 2014
LIBRARY COMMITTEE—THE UUCE TEDDY SALMON LIBRARY
THE PURPOSE OF THE UUCE TEDDY SALMON LIBRARY is to provide resources for religious and
spiritual study for members and friends of UUCE and to maintain and enlarge the collection.
While the emphasis was on Unitarian Universalist materials, which area needs expansion, the
library also includes materials about other religious and spiritual practices.
Earlier this year the winnowing process was completed. Work was begun on cataloging the
collection to include newly donated books, to card and shelve them, and to print the indexes as
sorted by (1) author or editor, (2) title, and (3) category. We hoped to make these available to our
members in both computer and printed versions, but this didn’t happen due to loss of committee
members and limited time. We advertised for a computer to use in the library, and a month or so
later one appeared. However, no one seemed to know where it came from or who donated it and
for whom. It was being used casually by several individuals and groups, but it crashed before the
library committee could open or make use of it. Then came the flood from the broken pipe in the
bathroom next door, and the library was closed for weeks along with the rest of the rooms off the
east wing corridor.
It has been a difficult and discouraging year for the library committee. This church has
maintained a library from its beginnings in 1909 until now. I hope that it will remain with us in
some form through the years to come. The money currently available will be used for new
acquisitions. As the last remaining member of the Library Committee, I will do what I can
between now and June 30 before retiring.
The lack of committee members and the limited number of patrons who visit and use the
resources has raised a number of questions about the viability and need for a church library.
Reverend Sydney has formed a task force to look at new uses of the library space and the
collection now housed there.
12
I want to thank the following: long time co-chair Dorothy Mitchell who retired this winter;
Teddy Salmon, deceased, for whom the library is named; and the many volunteers who worked
with us in making this transition from the library in the old church building to this new
building. Thank you for the many hours of time and talent you gave to UUCE’s library.
Submitted by Kathleen Dillon, May 2014
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
ERIN TROBERG, CHAIR
THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE consists of a chairperson (or co-chairs) appointed by the Board of
Trustees and UUCE volunteer members. The committee is responsible for welcoming
newcomers, visitors, members and friends, and for assisting them to become integrated into the
church community.
The current members/supporters of the Membership Committee are Erin Troberg (Chair),
Robin Schantz-Mulford, George Carroll, Christine Santoro, Erik Troberg, Martha Osgood, and
Norma Landy. The committee meets once a month.
The main activity of the Membership Committee has been hosting the Newcomer
Orientations. They were held in the fall and spring on two consecutive Saturdays. This year, Rev.
Morris also led an Orientation on two weekday evenings in February. Two New Member Sundays
were led by the Membership committee following the spring and fall orientations.
We continued the Meet and Greets, held once a month immediately following the service.
These are intended to offer newcomers a casual, drop-in opportunity to meet others and ask
questions. We also added a once-a-month opportunity to sign the Membership book. Those
ready to become members meet in Rev. Morris’s office before the service on the fourth Sunday of
the month.
The committee is responsible for reporting in January the number of voting members of our
congregation to the UUA. This is the number that is used to determine our monthly dues to the
UUA and PNWD. This year the number of voting members reported was 270.
This year we also established an official Welcome Table, staffed by the greeters before and
after the Sunday service. It serves as the information table for newcomers and visitors.
Other contributions of the committee include maintaining the brochure rack, making name
tag,s and helping to maintain the Welcome Table.
The Membership Committee would welcome more members; this would allow us to do more
work in helping New Members find a home at UUCE.
Submitted by Erin Troberg, August 2014
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MORNING DOVES BIRDING GROUP
ELLIOT MCINTIRE, COORDINATOR
L. to R. Mike Berg, Sue Smith, Jim Jackson, Bonnie Phipps, Mark Phipps, Gretchen Miller (hidden), Jim
Robertson
THE MORNING DOVES are a group of (mostly) UUCE members who meet off-site each Tuesday
morning, year around, rain or shine, to bird at some location within a few miles of downtown
Eugene. Frequent locations include Fern Ridge Reservoir, Delta Ponds, and Alton Baker Park.
The group had its origins in 2006 when Judie Hansen offered a bird walk at the church auction
and was asked if she would be willing to lead other walks. She agreed and coined the name for
the group. Since Judie has moved to Portland, Elliot McIntire (541-434-2315) has coordinated the
walks. Our purpose is to expand our knowledge of the natural world, get fresh air and exercise,
and provide a congenial setting for social interaction.
None of us are expert birders, but between ourselves and our ever-present guide books, we can
usually identify the birds we see. In addition, the group provides a setting for informal
interaction with discussions ranging from church activities to the latest world news.
14
Following an hour or hour and a half of bird watching, the group adjourns to a nearby
restaurant for breakfast, totaling up the number of bird species seen, and more conversation.
The group is open to any who wish to join us. About twenty-five people are on the mailing list
that is sent out each weekend. Attendance is usually around eight, mostly regulars, with a
number who join the group occasionally.
We ask for a voluntary donation of $2 for each participant, and in the last year have
contributed approximately $500 to the church general fund.
Submitted by Elliot McIntire, April 2014
MUSIC PROGRAM
TOM SEARS, MUSIC DIRECTOR
UUCE’S MUSIC PROGRAM Mission Statement reads as follows:
•
•
•
to enhance Sunday services with appropriate and well performed music
to enhance fellowship and develop community through respectful interactions
to improve our musicianship and broaden our musical understanding
With this in mind, we have provided choral and instrumental music for Sunday worship services
throughout the 2013–2014 church year.
The 45-voice Sanctuary Choir, 28-voice women’s Chalice Choir, and our 16-voice Chamber
Singers form the core of the Music Program. They are augmented on occasion with
instrumentalists drawn from the congregation or hired from the larger community.
There have been several program highlights this year. The church year begins for us in late
August with a Music-Kickoff Potluck. This is always a fun event where people can re-connect,
share a meal, learn about our music program, sing, and welcome new singers and
instrumentalists.
In December the Chamber Singers presented its annual Christmas concert. This year’s theme was
“An English Renaissance Christmas”. Byrdsong Renaissance Consort, a 5-piece chamber ensemble
of period instruments, supported the choir as well as providing instrumental selections. Due to
flooding at the church, the event was presented at the United Lutheran Church in Eugene to a
capacity crowd. Ticket sales generated $1,359. After expenses, a profit was realized of $487, which
went to UUCE’s General Fund.
As a fundraiser, the Chamber Singers offered “Singing Valentines” in February to be purchased
for $20 and delivered (sung) to the recipient at church or beyond. Due to heavy snow and severe
weather, however, none were requested.
Over the February 22nd weekend the women’s Chalice Choir hosted the Women’s Choir from the
Portland UU church. We gathered at UUCE in the morning for a rehearsal and vocal technique
workshop with Janine Nelson, followed by lunch and more rehearsing. We provided home stays
for our visitors and, on Sunday, our combined choirs presented music for the morning church
service. Everyone had a wonderful time and, it was agreed we would come to Portland for a
return engagement.
15
After last years’ Missa Gaia extravaganza, the Sanctuary Choir did not present an elaborate Music
Sunday this year. We did, however, combine the Sanctuary Choir and the Chamber Singers for an
Easter presentation supported by a hired string quartet.
On May 3rd the women’s Chalice Choir presented “Let’s Face the Music and Dance”, an evening
of music from the 1930–40’s, accompanied by a 4-piece dance band. The admission was set at $15
with all proceeds going to UUCE’s General Fund. Some felt the ticket price was too high and
might dissuade people from attending. Sydney generously offered “scholarship assistance” to
those who found the price beyond their means. The ticket table posted a sign reading “suggested
donation,” and no one was turned away for luck of funds. The Music Committee did a wonderful
job decorating the Sanctuary and organizing food. The event raised just over $1,000.
On May 24th Victor Steinhardt, former professor of piano at the UO, presented a recital of music
for solo piano. Victor, who helped UUCE find the Yamaha Grand piano we have in our Sanctuary,
offered this concert as a benefit to UUCE. It was an outstanding performance featuring music by
Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven and Grieg. Despite advertising through a variety of media outside
the church, the event coincided with Memorial Day weekend resulting in a lower than expected
attendance. Tickets were $10 and nearly $600 was raised for the General Fund.
Patricia Hendricks and Heather Schantz-Mulford have co-chaired the Music Committee this
year. The Committee has been helpful with event-planning and tickets sales that have raised
money for the General Fund. The Committee also provides insightful feedback to the Music
Director. This year’s committee members include: Patricia Hendricks, Heather Schantz-Mulford,
Susanne Giordano, Joyce Smith, Martha Snyder, and Jean Weick.
Lynn Smith, who has accompanied the Sanctuary and Chalice Choirs and provided music at
Sunday services for many years, will be retiring from her position at the end of this year. Lynn has
done an excellent job in her position and, generously, waited to retire until another competent
pianist could be found. Susanne Giordano will assume Lynn’s responsibilities and add
accompanist to the Chamber Singers and summer pianist.
As I look ahead to next year I see several areas into which the Music Program could grow. They
include:





a youth music program—many churches offer this to their youth as a way to develop skills,
build self-esteem, and create community
a summer music program
a monthly concert series, or, a less formal Coffee House program
develop an in-house instrumental ensemble (band, viol consort, recorder ensemble)
expand our contact outside the church through community outreach
Respectfully submitted by Tom Sears, Music Director, June 2, 2014
NEWSLETTER
BONNIE KOENIG, EDITOR
THE PURPOSE OF THE NEWSLETTER is to be a primary source of information to members and
friends about church activities. It includes the calendar of sermon topics and educational and
16
social events offered by church committees. Messages from the Minister, Board President,
Director of Religious Education, and Director of Music are regular features. It will often include
community events related to UU or organizations sharing our values and news and photos of
people, programs, and activities in our church.
The newsletter is issued monthly on the first of the month. Primary distribution is in
electronic format to the subscribed listserv, and it is posted on the website. A limited number of
copies are mailed to those who have requested them, and copies are also available at the visitor's
table at church. Current distribution is approximately 500.
Bonnie Koenig accepted the position as editor in August 2013. The newsletter team includes
Nisco Junkins—layout and graphics, Marina McIntire—proofreader, and Martha Osgood—
technical advisor and electronic distribution.
Submitted by Bonnie Koenig, April 2014
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
JON MILLER, CHAIR
THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE’S TASK was to find nine church members to nominate for
vacancies coming up on the Board of Trustees and the Nominating Committee.
We began meeting in January with Julia Clark as chair; Dana Dedrick had already resigned
prior to starting our work. First, we identified nearly sixty potential leaders and asked them to
consider interviewing for the openings. During this identification task Julia resigned, and Jon
Miller stepped into the vacancy. Down two members and on a deadline, Sonya Margerum agreed
to help us with our interviews and the selection. Next we proposed the slate to the board and
announced them to the church prior to our annual meeting.
During this leadership transition we decided to propose an expanded scope to help us create
stronger connection to the potential leadership pool and develop future leadership candidates.
In June, we designed and facilitated a transition retreat for the old members leaving and the new
coming on to the board.
Board of Trustees Candidates:
• President: Dave DeCou
• Member at Large: Bill Rodgers
• Vice President: Susan Verner
• Member at Large: August Sabini
• Treasurer: Elizabeth Weber
• Member at Large: Nadja Sanders
• Member at Large: Wanda Kuenzli
Nominating Committee Candidates:
• Lauren Bailey
• Sue Craig
Committee Members (2014): Lorna Baldwin, Al Landy, and Jon Miller; assistance from Julia
Clark and Sonya Margerum
Submitted by Jon Miller, July 2014
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PERSONAL REFLECTIONS
KEN ROSS, COORDINATOR
For many years, members of the Church have shared their spiritual journeys from the pulpit. The
tradition began in 1983. Until a few years ago, there were about nine Personal Reflections a year.
Currently there are about three a year.
We have bound volumes available at no cost, by contacting the Personal Reflections
coordinator, Ken Ross. A list of all Personal Reflections, by name and by volume number, is
available; for more information see the Personal Reflections the web page,
http://uueugene.org/personal-reflections, or contact Ken Ross.
Since the next volume of Personal Reflections (Volume 19) won’t be published for some time,
the latest people to give their Personal Reflections have authorized Ken to share them. If you
would like one or more of them, contact him and he will send you a copy in Word format. This
offer is for reflections given by Emmet Band (March 3, 2013), Melia Scanlon (June 9, 2013), and
Phyllis O’Neill (February 2, 2014). The next Personal Reflection will be given this summer by
Rouanna Garden.
In soliciting members to give Personal Reflections, we strive for a balance in terms of
members’ gender, age, orientation, and length of membership. We seek individuals who are
active in the church in some capacity, especially Board members who have not given a
Reflection, so that congregants may better know their elected leaders. We believe that the overall
caliber of Personal Reflections, in terms of contributors' honesty and vulnerability, has been
remarkable and helps create a sense of community at UUCE.
Submitted by Ken Ross, May 2014
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
KEN ROSS, CHAIR
IN 2009, THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE received a comprehensive charge from the Board of
Trustees:
The UUCE Board charges the Personnel Committee to work closely with the chief of staff
(minister) and paid staff's supervisors to
• create a job description for each paid staff position,
• keep the UUCE Personnel Manual current,
• to assist the hiring process,
• establish a job evaluation tool, process and schedule,
• work with the UUCE Budget Committee to keep salaries and benefits fair and reflective of
productivity, job descriptions and experience.
The Personnel Committee is also charged to receive and respond to requests and concerns
from paid staff relative to conditions of work, pay and benefits.
In other words, the Personnel Committee serves as a resource for the minister and for the staff.
In particular, the committee assists the supervisors of staff in making salary recommendations
effective at the beginning of each church budget year, i.e., each July 1. Interaction with the
Treasurer, Phyllis O’Neill, has been especially helpful.
18
Effective July 1, 2014, all UUA churches that have retirement programs for their employees will
be operating under a new UUA Retirement Program. This required some decisions by our Board
of Trustees, which were taken in April 2014.
(Note regarding the charge quoted above: Following UUA guidelines, the “chief of staff” is
now called the “Lead Administrative Officer,” or LAO for short.)
Committee members: Ken Ross (chair), Kay Crider, Hilary Gerdes, Betty Hosokawa, Rev.
Sydney Morris (ex officio)
Submitted by Ken Ross, May 2014
POETRY GROUPS
THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE UUCE POETRY GROUPS is to provide a workshop for our church
members and friends to write, share, critique, and showcase our own poetry. Because of the
nature of our activity, the size of each group is limited to no more than twelve.
The first UUCE Poetry Group was started many years ago and was hosted and facilitated by
Cindy Pitcairn. This group continues, and since Cindy’s death in January 2013, we now meet
monthly at the church. There are twelve members in this group.
A summary of this year’s Poetry Group activities include:
• Launching two additional poetry groups: Due to increased interest by other members of
the church, a second UUCE Poetry Group was launched this year and is going strong with
eight members. We are currently forming a third group, and it will be functioning before
the end of the church year.
• Each poetry group has been meeting once per month throughout the church year.
• With help from Martha Osgood, we have set up a listserv mail forum for each of the
poetry groups to communicate their meeting assignments and other poetry news among
themselves.
• Attending the poetry reading by past US Poet Laureate Billy Collins, presented at Eugene
Public Library.
• Publishing one issue of our UUCE journal Changes in December; a second issue will be
ready before the end of the church year. Bonnie Phipps coordinated the December issue;
the editorial Board for the December issue consisted of Katie Clay, Bonnie Phipps, Judy
Sawyer, and Betts Silver. Judy Sawyer is coordinating the spring issue.
• Donation of all our accumulated proceeds from the sale of our journal (over many years
through the December 2013 issue) to the UUCE Endowment Fund in memory of Cindy
Pitcairn. This amount was $1,226.86
• Closing the Poetry Journal Account in our church accounting system. Future proceeds
from sale of our journal will go to the church General Fund, in compliance with new
UUCE fundraising policies.
• A subgroup of the first poetry group (Judy Sawyer, Betts Silver, and Bonnie Phipps)
worked with Cindy Pitcairn’s family in getting, organizing, and editing a memorial book
of the collected poetry of Cindy Pitcairn, and the book is available in limited edition for
sale at the church. To date, proceeds after expenses for this project have resulted in raising
$207 for the UUCE General Fund; ten books remain available for sale, so the total could
net around $300 at completion.
19
•
Still to be organized is a joint social meeting of all three poetry groups for a potluck and
poetry reading.
Respectfully submitted by Bonnie Phipps, Poetry Group Contact, April 2014
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COMMITTEE
MISSION STATEMENT: To nurture compassion and integrity in children and teens while inspiring
spiritual exploration and service for the greater good.
THE CHILDREN’S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION COMMITTEE works closely with the Director of Religious
Education (DRE) to plan and implement the religious education program for children and youth
in our congregation.
Accomplishments for this year:
• This year, the committee met year-round in an effort to maintain continuity, rather
than taking the summers off. The meetings were beneficial, especially for the startup process in August/September of 2013.
• This year was the Social Justice year in our traditional three year rotation. Guest
speakers from various organizations such as Occupy Medical and First Place
Family Center; from within our own congregation; from our Conestoga neighbor,
Vikki, as well as field trips to various locations allowed us to expand and deepen
the children’s and youth’s understanding of Social Justice issues facing our
community.
• Social Justice curriculum covered Human Rights, Health and Homelessness,
Environmental Health, and Economic Justice.
• With the help of volunteers and donations from member families, we were able to
install a play structure and a “fairy ring” on the playground!
• With the help of volunteers, painted an accent wall in each classroom, reflecting
our Seven Principles.
• Money for local charities and create bonds between families and the larger
congregation. Families of each classroom provide soup after the service for the
congregation one the fourth Sunday of the month for $3-5. All the monies earned
are then paid out to a charity pre-determined by the children in the organizing
classroom.
Plans for next year:
• Transition to a three-term system, where all three topics—UU Identity, World
Religions, and Social Justice—are discussed through the course of the year, and
volunteer commitment is to a shorter time-period for those working in the
elementary classrooms.
• Continue with Soup Sunday.
• Together with the minister, work to align what is being taught in the classrooms
with what is being discussed from the pulpit.
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•
•
•
Continue to meet year-round instead of taking summers off.
Run Middle School OWL from October to May.
Run High School OWL from January to March.
Submitted by Katy Siepert, June 2014
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAM
KATY SIEPERT, DIRECTOR
OF
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
DRE Annual Report 2013–2014
Mission: Empowered by love, we transform ourselves and serve our world.
Accomplishments for this year:
•
Total child enrollment of 120 children and youth – down from last year by about 10.
•
Curated, wrote and implemented a new Social Justice curriculum in line with the Social
Justice Committee’s main areas of work and interest and based on their ramp-up for a
congregation-wide focus on five main areas of interest – incorporated guest speakers and
one-time visitors, as well as trips into the field (Occupy Medical, First Place Family
Center), and enjoyed some real success with this strategy.
•
Ran a second RE Town Hall without much turn-out (10 people) – considering options to
either increase turn-out for next year or to opt for an every-other-year structure.
•
Started a volunteer table in the Chapel after service called “RE Fairies” for members and
friends to help with lesson prep for RE classes
•
Continued in expanded DRE role to include lifespan exploration – worked closely with
the Adult RE Committee as they transitioned to Adult RE Liaisons.
•
Planned with Minister, and ARE Liaison Lesley Rex, upcoming Adult RE programming.
•
Summer programming for children is an arts theme: The Art of Being You(U): a fun
schedule of Sunday morning activities that focus on the expression and appreciation of
our unique individual selves. Programming includes guest speakers and weekly creative
projects.
•
Recruited and trained facilitators for the Middle School and High School OWL programs
set to run next year.
•
Completed UU History course and test-piloted an Issues of Sexuality for Religious
Educators course, aimed at moving me toward credentialing. Estimated completion date
for credentialing is May of 2016.
Plans for next year:
•
Developing a structure for quarterly leadership discussions and strategic planning for
cross-generational interaction within the church.
•
Update and expand recruitment and program structure so that people do not get burned
out.
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•
To that end, transitioning to a trimester system, so that RE volunteer teachers are
committed for a shorter block of time. Below is a rough breakdown of the teaching
commitment dates and the focus and theme from the pulpit and in the classrooms for
each trimester:
First Trimester: September 14th thru November 30th **
Empowered by Love, we Transform Ourselves and Serve Our World: UU Identity
Second Trimester: January 4th thru March 22nd
May your minds be open to new learning, May your lips bring truth into the world: World
Religion
Third Trimester: March 29th thru June 14th
May your heart know love and your hands do the work of justice as you go your way in
peace: Social Justice
**December Sundays dedicated to Pageant rehearsal – classrooms managed by substitute
support staff
•
Build and expand the Young Adult connection – (campus ministry, coordinating efforts
with the Breakfast Cluub, Young Adult facilitator recruitment)
•
Utilize the web as a communication and learning tool for RE – explore possibility of
expanding COA program to be a partially web-based curriculum.
•
Run and facilitate Middle School OWL from October to May
•
Run and facilitate interfaith High School OWL from January to March (together with the
Congregationalist and Methodist churches)
Submitted by Katy Siepert, June 2014
SERVICE
IN
ACTION
THE SERVICE IN ACTION COMMITTEE is home for the social justice programs, actions, and groups
at UUCE. The reports for these groups and activities follow: SIA—Earth Action Committee, SIA
—Health Committee, SIA—Fair Trade Coffee Store, SIA—Hand-In-Hand, SIA—Interweave, SIA
—Basic Rights Oregon/Oregon United For Marriage, and SIA—Homeless Support.
SIA—EARTH ACTION COMMITTEE
THE MISSION OF THE EARTH ACTION COMMITTEE is to achieve sustainability for the planet
through education and action. Our Highlights, Accomplishments, Activities, Events are as
follows:
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Partnerships with other groups working on environmental issues
• The Earth Action Committee is represented on the Eugene Interfaith Earthkeepers, a
coalition of about a dozen congregations. The intention is to provide a means for
members of those congregations who are concerned about environmental issues to work
together in addressing those concerns. Among the activities sponsored by the
Earthkeepers in 2013– 2014 are the following:
◦ Fill Your Pantry: The Willamette Farm and Food Coalition provided this opportunity
to order staple and storage crops directly from local farmers, thereby enhancing a
sustainable local economy.
◦ Act Locally: We hosted a panel featuring representatives from six local groups working
in different ways to inform about and resist climate change.
◦ Staffed an information table at the Good Earth Home Show.
• We continued our support of the annual That’s My Farmer event to encourage members
and friends to support local farmers through their Community Supported Agriculture
(CSA) programs and in other ways.
• We co-sponsored and hosted an event with the Many Rivers Group of the Sierra Club
on the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The Trans-Pacific Partnership is ostensibly a trade
agreement but one that would grant powers to corporations to overturn laws established
by federal, state, and local governments that diminish their profits, including, for
example, legislation to protect the environment and establish minimum wages.
Other activities
• We hosted an all-church potluck picnic at the Wayne Morse Ranch, with activities for
children, music for everyone, and presentations about two local groups working on
sustainability and climate change.
• Religious education
• Green tips—We submitted suggestions for things members can do to reduce their carbon
footprint for inclusion in the UUCE newsletter. We also sent information to members on
other issues related to the environment.
• Food preservation—We sponsored a class on canning and making of jams, but it was
canceled because it would have conflicted with another event.
SIA—HEALTH COMMITTEE
PAT BITNER, CHAIR
THE EFFORTS OF THE HEALTH COMMITTEE have been in support or partnership with Health Care
for All Oregon, the Occupy Medical Bus, and the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI).
During 2013, as part of efforts of Health Care for All Oregon, SIA members participated in two
trips by bus to the State Capitol in Salem to advocate for single payer tax supported health care
for all Oregonians. HCAO sponsored tables at many events both in the community, on campus,
and in the chapel at UUCE to urge people to sign up for information on HCAO and to volunteer
in our efforts to achieve universal health care.
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A meeting was held the first Tuesday of each month by the Eugene chapter of HCAO to which
members of the public are invited. An extensive data base is maintained by Pat Bitner to inform
all interested parties of activities, issues, and plans for the future.
Ruth Duemler is leading efforts to help Occupy Medical with supplies, donations, and
volunteers in its work to provide medical help each Sunday from its bus at the Park Block in
Eugene. We were also supported by the Third Sunday collection for Occupy Medical.
Lesley Rex has spearheaded attention raising for NAMI and has provided staffing for a table
for NAMI in our chapel, as well as recruiting volunteers for this activity.
The leaders for food and hunger issues are Berry Broadbent and Diane Wooldridge. We have
continued to focus on our partnership with Food for Lane County, both in terms of our fourth
Thursday volunteer evening and increasing the food contributions made to our Food for Lane
County barrel at UUCE. We have introduced a “most requested food item of the month” concept,
which has increased the food contributions which typically dwindle following the winter holiday
season.
We have continued recruitment for the yearly CROP/Hunger Walk, which benefits both local
and international hunger relief. Last year we were given the additional honor of receiving the
Third Sunday community offering in October. All together, we raised $2,500.
Berry continues as our liaison with Oregon Faith Roundtable Against Hunger, which
introduced the Food Stamp Challenge to the Eugene-Springfield community.
SIA—FAIR TRADE COFFEE STORE
COFFEE, TEA, AND CHOCOLATE SOLD THROUGH UUCE'S FAIR TRADE COFFEE STORE is an ongoing
fundraising project open after Sunday services, staffed by UUCE volunteers. Currently Melody
Carr, Laramie Palmer, and Lyn Fischrup are our volunteers. Purchases of the store's inventory
through Equal Exchange help support farming cooperatives that provide fair prices for the
farmers for their crops. All store profits go to the UUCE General Fund. During the fall, winter,
and early spring of the 2013–2014 fiscal year FTCS sales generally have brought in between $50$80 per week for the church.
SIA—HAND-IN-HAND
At the suggestion of SIA, and with no program for helping the homeless, unhoused, or “street
people” with basic needs who come to our door, we worked to develop a program using
volunteers a few hours a week. d.maria wrote up a proposal or concept and began to implement
the plan and researched folks who could help us with trainings. Copies of the concept were sent
to Rev. Dr. Sydney Morris and to the board for their information. We called the program Hand in
Hand. With lack of sufficient support, the program has been put aside.
Submitted by d.maria, April 2014
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SIA—INTERWEAVE
“Interweave Continental is a membership organization actively working toward ending
oppression based on sexual orientation and gender identity, recognizing that we will not be
free until all oppression is a thing of the past.” [http://interweavecontinental.ning.com/about].
UUCE supports the local Interweave chapter.
The following activities took place in the last year:
• Twenty-five to fifty people gathered for potluck, a movie, and discussion every second
Friday of the month. This serves as an outreach to the Eugene community and brings in
people who are not interested in attending any church.
• Fund raising to send a young man to UU General Assembly for the past two years; we are
getting ready to send him to the 2014 General Assembly.
• Hosting a University of Oregon training for teachers on the subject of GLBTQ youth.
• Fund raising project to send two UUCE youth to a camp for transgender youth.
• Transgender curriculum provided by Interweave Continental and taught to UUCE
members.
• We were well represented in the Pride celebration. UUCE helped run the Interfaith
Booth, and Kathleen Dillon was included in the MC'd portion of the first day—she
participated in a presentation to the whole of the Pride Celebration. The plan for next
year’s event is to have more Unitarian Universalist information available for the public on
our programs for Interweave and Transgender.
Submitted by Nisco Junkins, May 2014
SIA—BASIC RIGHTS OREGON/OREGON UNITED
MARRIAGE
•
•
•
FOR
The website for Oregon United for Marriage website lists partnering faith entities and
pastors under the category of supports. This was brought to the attention of church
leaders in order to encourage the addition of UUCE to that list.
Signatures were gathered after Sunday services in order to place a measure on the
November 2014 ballot to rescind Oregon's Constitutional Amendment disallowing legally
recognized marriage between same sex couples.
The April 22 Vigil for Marriage sponsored by Oregon United for Marriage, BRO, and the
ACLU was promoted widely within our church membership and Interweave. In
preparation for the Vigil action we purchased a Standing on the Side of Love banner.
UUCE was well represented at the Vigil.
Report by Jean Ella, May 2014
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SIA—HOMELESS SUPPORT ACTIVITIES
BARB PRENTICE, CHAIR
UUCE via Service in Action has been an advocate for unhoused citizens for the last two years. We
were an early supporter of Opportunity Village Eugene, a transitional homeless community, now
located at 111 N. Garfield St. We contributed funds to the village via our Third Sunday offering.
Several church members have helped out at the village by bringing meals, contributing money
and goods such as blankets and sleeping bags, building village structures, and serving on
committees.
Our main UUCE program has been the placement of two Conestoga huts on our property
which house two homeless people. A small committee, chaired by Barb Prentice, oversees this
program, regularly meeting with our residents. This program is part of the city Overnight
Parking Program, which is managed by St Vincent DePaul. Our two residents, Vickie and Ray,
are very grateful to have a roof over their heads. Gretchen Miller and Sarah Hendrickson have
worked with Vickie on various gardening and landscaping projects. We should be grateful to
Vickie for her initiative and hard work.
We have some church members that work at the Egan Warming Centers, which shelter
homeless people on very cold nights, some who volunteer at the Dining Room, which offers free
meals every weekday, and some who help serve Sunday breakfast at First Christian Church.
Several of our congregants are members of Occupy Interfaith Eugene and Springfield, which
has supported the SLEEPS campaign to lift the city campaign ban, as well as advocating for rest
stops and creation of a Health Sanctuary for homeless citizens who need support and care.
In addition, we worked with UUCE Religious Education, which did several activities with
some of our outreach programs.
SIA Committee reports gathered and submitted by Sue Craig for SIA, May 2014
SISTER CIRCLES
KATIE CLAY, COORDINATOR
SISTER CIRCLES AT UUCE are a significant way for women of the church to get to know one
another and form lasting bonds. At present, there are at least eight circles, some of which are
long standing. The circles, once started, are self determining. They have differing purposes and
sizes; some emphasize spiritual discussion, some perform social service projects, some discuss
timely topics. There is one group that goes roller-skating!
I took over the coordinator role last fall and plan to continue the tradition of two to three
official sign-up opportunities per year and perhaps a party for all the groups together when there
is interest.
Going forward from here, I also intend to collect interest forms as they come in, so that new
groups will be able to start any month there is a sufficient number of our church women with
common goals and wishes.
There are some unofficial women's groups which form spontaneously as well, and these are
valuable too.
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I'm thankful to get to know more wonderful people in the church by helping start new groups,
and look forward to the future.
Submitted by Katie Clay, Coordinator, May 2014
SMALL GROUP MINISTRY PROGRAM
DICK LOESCHER, COMMITTEE CHAIR
THE SMALL GROUP MINISTRY (SGM) PROGRAM has been occurring annually at UUCE since
2003, with approximately 50 to 90 people participating each year in small groups with a trained
facilitator. The groups disband at the end of each church year, and new groups are formed the
following year. The goals of the SGM program are to facilitate deep connections and
understanding among people, promote personal and spiritual growth, and provide service to the
church or the larger community. The program is planned by the SGM steering committee in
conjunction with the minister.
Participants have included newcomers and old timers who are friends or members of UUCE.
For some people this was their first SGM experience, and others have participated multiple
times. Most indicate that their experiences were very meaningful and worthwhile and that they
would recommend the program to others.
For church year 2013–2014 approximately 65 people participated in nine groups, which met for
two hours twice a month from January through May or June 2014. The overall theme was
“Milestones of Life”. The topics of the sessions were: 1 Getting Acquainted, SGM Program and
Covenant Review; 2 Religious or Spiritual Milestones; 3 Family Milestones; 4 Learning
Milestones; 5 Physical and Health Milestones; 6 Resources Milestones; 7 Joy Milestones; 8 Grief
and Loss Milestones; 9 Giving and Receiving Milestones; 10 Moving On Milestones.
The facilitators this year were: Dorothy Clark, Sally DeCou, Lyn Fischrup, Al Landy, Dick
Loescher, Sandy Moses, Connie Newman, Cori Taggart, and Jeanette Turvey. The SGM steering
committee members were: Lyn Fischrup, Bonnie Koenig, Al Landy, and Dick Loescher (chair).
Each group did a service project, which this year included: volunteering at Food for Lane
County; a landscape project laying bricks in a garden in front of the church; helping with the
UUCE book sale; helping organize children’s books in the office of the Director of Religious
Education; helping with Project Care Connect in Veneta, providing various services to homeless
people; making sandwiches for Opportunity Village, a transitional homeless village; helping with
some tasks at the home of a church member; and helping with Soup Sunday at UUCE, providing
food after a church service.
We anticipate that the SGM program will continue in a similar manner in the future: likely
with registration in October and November 2014; and with groups meeting January through May
2015. Details will be made available as the plans are developed.
Respectfully submitted, Dick Loescher, SGM steering committee chair, April 28, 2014
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SOCIAL JUSTICE—See Service in Action
THE UFOS
DIANE WOOLDRIDGE, ORGANIZER
THE UFOS (UNITARILIST FUN ORGANIZATION) was formed in 2002 as an intergenerational group
dedicated to building community within our church through service, socializing, and physical
activity.
Our group has been volunteering once a month at Food for Lane County since December
2002. This is a “come if you can” activity that allows participants to drop in when time allows
without having to make a permanent commitment. We have literally diverted tons of food from
the landfill. The food is repackaged and distributed to the hungry all over Lane County.
Participation in the FFLC volunteer night has been slipping over the past few years. Our
commitment is to provide at least six people on the fourth Thursday of the month. We don’t
always make this goal.
This year we partnered with the Service in Action Committee for the January Food Stamp
Challenge. We invited the congregation to limit their food budget to $27 per person, per week to
get a gut level feeling for what it is like to rely on food stamps. Only two people from the
congregation participated (the UFO person and the SIA person). It was an eye opener, and we
wrote a newsletter article about the experience. The UFOs group has also partnered with SIA to
increase donations to the Food for Lane County barrel. By requesting a specific “food of the
month” we have more than doubled donations.
Another event that UFO members participate in is the CROP Walk. This is an
interdenominational event that raises money for local and international hunger relief. There
were ten walkers from UUCE who collected pledges of $1,200. In addition, the Third Sunday
Community Offering in October raised an additional $1,300 for the CROP/Hunger Walk.
Hikes are offered periodically through the UFOs. Hikes of varying length and intensity are
offered so that everyone can participate. We did two easy level hikes along with the more
strenuous Iron Mountain hike led by Jim Kayser. Several new people joined us for the hikes this
year.
There are now over 100 people who have requested to be on the UFOs group e-mail list. I have
added several new friends and members to this list. Most of the signs ups for activities occur via
the web. Events are included in the monthly newsletter, weekly web update, and in the order of
service when space permits.
In terms of future plans, we will continue to organize hikes and collect canned goods and
volunteer at Food for Lane County.
Submitted by Diane Wooldridge, August 2014
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WORSHIP ASSOCIATES
AND
ANCHORS
JAKE WALSH, CHAIR
THE WORSHIP ASSOCIATES work with the minister to plan and implement Sunday services. They
assist at the pulpit by welcoming the congregation and setting the tone for the worship service.
They may also do readings and introduce hymns and offering.
The Worship Associates meet regularly with the minister to provide support in planning
services. In addition, they are responsible for scheduling and planning with guest speakers once
a month when the minister is not in the pulpit. On those Sundays, the Worship Associates help
choose hymns, recruit musicians, and compose and submit the order of service. All of the work
done by the committee is with the approval and guidance of the minister.
The requirements to be a worship associate include: being a member of UUCE, being
comfortable speaking to groups, and having a commitment to upholding the values of the
church. Worship associates must be responsible about meeting commitments and be willing to
work as part of a team.
The Worship Associates committee is currently working on writing a job description for the
committee chair and describing the responsibilities that are within the purview of the
committee. Historically, there has not been a consistent process for recruiting and training
worship associates, and the length of time one is expected to serve has not been defined. With
the move to the new building completed and the presence of a Developmental Minister, the
committee is now in a position to formalize process and responsibilities.
Worship Anchors have traditionally been part of the Worship Associates committee. The
worship anchor works behind the scenes to make sure that the service runs smoothly. The anchor
is similar to a stage manager, making sure that everything is in place and that the sanctuary is
ready for worship. The anchor needs to be able to take care of disruption of the service, whether
it is a person or an issue with light, sound, or temperature. Details such as the light for the
chalice, water for the speakers, and marking hymns for the pulpit are part of the job of the
worship anchor.
There has been some discussion about moving the job of worship anchor to the committee for
greeters and ushers. The roles of greeter, usher, and anchor have more in common than the role
of worship associate and anchor.
The Worship Associates committee would like to recruit more young people to be in the pulpit
with the minister. Our group, like many others in the congregation, reflects the older population
of the church, and we would like to see more diversity on our committee. We are working with
the minister to plan thoughtfully about adding members to our group.
We look forward to a year of growing and refining our roles and solidifying our partnership
with the minister to create meaningful worship services.
Submitted by Jane Wagner, August 2014
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