Category / From the Board

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From the Board: September 2021

Each month, a member of the board will share a reflection on the Soul Matters monthly theme and the state of the church. The theme for September is Embracing Possibility. This month’s post is offered by Fred Hulting.

September has arrived and – just like every other year – we are returning to schools and work and churches after summer breaks.  Of course, this year is not like every other year, as the challenges of the last 18 months have changed the world around us.  We now find ourselves doing the same old things, but in ways we’ve never done them before.

So, as we get ready for reopening our UUCM church building, it is understandable that we are approaching this with caution.  We will be finding our way over the next weeks and months, guided by the values of safety, inclusion, and consent, as Rev Lisa tells us in her midweek video message. Continue reading →

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(Archive) August 20 Update on Church Re-Opening

(Archive) Fred Hulting and Rev. Lisa Friedman

As mentioned in our last update, the Board of Trustees met with Rev. Lisa last weekend to discuss a move to Phase 3 of our COVID reopening plan, which would allow us to return to regular building use with some safety protocols in place.

There are good reasons to open the church this Fall. Parents want to see the return of in-person religious education, which is more effective for children and youth. Others are seeking a worship experience that cannot be offered over Zoom. And many of us are looking forward to seeing people during social time in the community room. Still, as we are all aware, there are risks associated with the return. Risks that will change over time.

After a long discussion, the Board approved the continued work by staff and volunteers toward a Phase 3 reopening on September 12th. This is subject to finalizing the necessary policies and procedures. We will keep monitoring the situation, and pause this work if the COVID situation worsens. As we get closer to reopening, specific protocols will be communicated so you can make informed decisions about participation.

Even as we move ahead, Lisa will continue to have the authority to enact restrictions for the safety of the congregation and our staff, such as the current mask requirement for everyone in the building. Still, on September 12th we hope to:

  • Restart in-person RE for Nursery through 12th grade, either downstairs or outdoors.  Jennifer and the CYRE team are working with families to develop procedures that will keep our children and youth safe and healthy.
  • Hold Sunday worship services in the Sanctuary, and continue to offer the services over Zoom.  Our new audio and video system will allow us to share the in-person service with virtual attendees.

Please watch the church communications  for continued updates, and please reach out to us with questions at boardpresident@uucmtka.org or revlisa@uucmtka.org.

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(Archive) August 6: Phased Reopening Update

(Archive) Fred Hulting and Rev. Lisa Friedman

In May, we shared an update on the phased reopening of the church during summer and fall. At that time we were full of optimism given increasing vaccinations, lower infection rates, and a loosening of restrictions in Minnesota.  In July, we moved into Phase 2 and began allowing small groups to use the church with fewer restrictions. It has been fun to see people gather in the church and to reconnect after such a long time.  Now, as September approaches, we continue to work towards Phase 3, which would allow us to return to regular building use, including Sunday worship.

At the end of our May update, we wrote “Current trends with the pandemic are encouraging, but forecasting the path forward is difficult and we will adapt as needed.”  And so here we are, trying to navigate a difficult path forward as the Delta variant creates new challenges for our community.

For now, our Phase 2 protocols remain in effect, and small groups and priority events (e.g. memorial services) may continue in the building. However, the Board has given Rev. Lisa authority to enact additional restrictions – such as requiring masks for all persons in the building – whenever she feels it is necessary for the safety of the congregation and our staff.  For example, at memorial services we are asking all those attending to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status. So, if you are coming to the building, thank you in advance for adhering to the posted policies and guidelines. To request event space, please fill out this form.

The Board will meet with Rev. Lisa in mid-August to discuss the situation in Hennepin County and review the necessary steps that will allow up to move to Phase 3 and begin to hold in-person services in September.  But even as we welcome you into the building, we will continue to offer virtual options for Sunday services and for many church events. The successful fundraising for our new audio and video system in the Sanctuary is making that possible.

Please watch the church communications  for continued updates on the progress of the reopening, and please reach out to us with questions at boardpresident@uucmtka.org or revlisa@uucmtka.org.

by adminuucm

From the Board: June 2021

Each month, a member of the board will share a reflection on the Soul Matters monthly theme and the state of the church. The theme for June is Play. This month’s post is offered by Becky Halat.

Summer—it’s when we have fun in the sun. Our theme for June is Play, and it can’t be mere coincidence that beach balls and baseballs rotate like our playground Earth moves. We love the sun, its energy, and its radiation. It’s the source of life, and we appreciate summer like the green plants that convert the sun into life.

Especially in Minnesota, warm weather gives us the urge to get out and play, since we know that our time in the sun is limited at this high a latitude. Summer 2021 is a double-whammy, with vaccinations up and Covid-19 infections down. We play, with the solemn knowledge that not everyone made it here. Continue reading →

by adminuucm

Highlights from the Annual Congregational Meeting on May 23, 2021

Fred Hulting, Board President

Last Sunday we held our annual congregational business meeting.  You can access the agenda and all of the meeting documents here.  Attendees heard from the President, Minister, Treasurer, and Council about the activities of the past year, and took the following actions:

  • The congregation approved an operating budget for the 2021-2022 church year, with total expenditures of $428,000.  The new budget is a 7% increase over this year, driven by increases in health and retirement benefits for the staff, and some added costs to reopen the building.
  • A capital budget of $32,000 was also approved, which will fund upgrades to the audio and video systems in the sanctuary to enable multi-platform worship (in-person and online).  About $25,000 of that amount will need to be raised to fund the video portion of the system.  More details on the system, and how you can make a donation to support the project,  will be published next week.  Questions about the project may be directed to Rev. Lisa Friedman, or to our Music Director, Paul Winchester.
  • The congregation elected new Board Members:  Fred Hulting as President and Becky Halat as Vice-President for one-year terms; and Jeff Adrian, Janna Sundby, and Brian Zais as new Trustees for three-year terms.  Also elected were new Nominating Committee members Lori Arnold, Sharon Charles, and Kathy Stuebner (1 year terms).

The 2020-21 church year was remarkable, and I encourage you to read all the details in the annual report. We not only responded in amazing ways to the tragic events in our world, but we managed to thrive in many areas, bringing innovative ideas and new energy to many areas of our ministry. I expect that next year will be remarkable in its own way, as we return to the building but not to the “way things were.” We will create a new multi-platform ministry with Sunday services and other programs available both in-person and online. We will carry forward our momentum for social justice.  And we will draw new energy from being together in person.