May UUConnect Monthly Newsletter

uuconnect-may-1

In this edition of the UUConnectMonthly newsletter, we reflect on “The Power of Sharing Our Stories.”  Enjoy the “Q’s with UU’s” section, where 3 of our members share interesting pieces of their stories, read a wonderful assortment of “6-Word Stories,” plus other personal reflections on “Story.” Discover how you can be a part of the next newsletter on the final page.

Grateful to connect with you,
Stephanie Siewert and Lori Arnold – uuconnectmonthly@uucmtka.org

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.

Minister’s Message 5/26/21

This week’s message marks the anniversary of George Floyd’s murder and the ways stories are kept alive in our hearts beyond mere words. Rev. Lisa reflects on the power of silence to hold embodied truth and to redeem us.

You are also invited to view an introduction and link to this month’s UUConnectMonthly newsletter, below Rev. Lisa’s message.

Lisa

Click on the picture above to view Rev. Lisa’s weekly video message.


UUConnect MayMay 2021, Volume 5: UUConnect Monthly

In this edition of the UUConnectMonthly newsletter, we reflect on “The Power of Sharing Our Stories.”  Enjoy the “Q’s with UU’s” section, where 3 of our members share interesting pieces of their stories, read a wonderful assortment of “6-Word Stories,” plus other personal reflections on “Story.” Discover how you can be a part of the next newsletter on the final page.

Grateful to connect with you,
Stephanie Siewert and Lori Arnold – uuconnectmonthly@uucmtka.org

(Archive) Plans for a Phased Reopening of the Church

(Archive) Fred Hulting and Rev. Lisa Friedman

With the increase in vaccination rates, and the relaxation of state COVID restrictions, many of you are asking the question: “when will we reopen the church?”  We are all looking forward to a time when we get back together safely and resume many of our familiar rituals and programs.

At its May 13th meeting, the Board approved a plan from Rev. Lisa Friedman for the phased reopening of the church.  This approach will accommodate the needs of our community, while ensuring the safety of our staff, members, and friends.  And it will give our staff the necessary time to work through the many details required to reopen the building. This is not just a return to the way things were.  We get to learn from the past year and work towards a new multi-platform ministry, with Sunday services and other programs available both in-person and online. Continue reading →

UUCM Annual Congregational Meeting

11:15 AM on Sunday, May 23, 2021

Fred Hulting, Board President

The UUCM Annual Congregational Meeting will be held Sunday, May 23, 2021, at 11:15, via Zoom, in accordance with the UUCM By-Laws. All members are encouraged to participate, as a quorum is needed to conduct business.  Friends of UUCM are also welcome to attend.

Below you will find information about the decisions to be made at the meeting. This page will updated regularly over the next week with new details.

The full agenda is available; here are the main business items: Continue reading →