Connections
  Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax                     Aug. 20, 2012                        Volume 52, Number 15    
Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter 
website: uucf.org

 

 

 

 

 

In This Issue

 

Faith
"Faith Matters" Blog
CENTERING!    

Laura Horton-Ludwig
Associate Minister 
Laura Horton-Ludwig 
A true UUCF story: 
 
One of our young moms was making dinner the other night when her three-year-old daughter came into the kitchen with two of her play cooking pots. BANG!! she banged the pots together. "That's great, sweetie!" her mom said. A few minutes later, BANG!! again. And again. And again! By the eighth big bang, this mom's patience was almost exhausted. Those pots were in danger of getting temporarily confiscated. Then her daughter said, rolling her eyes as if her mom just wasn't getting it, "Come on, Mom, let's play RE*!"

Huh? Maybe there was more to this pot-banging game than met the ear! Mom and daughter sat down to "play RE" and lo and behold, it turns out those big BANGS were meant to be the Centering Sound that starts our worship together each week! If you ever wonder if our kids are paying attention to what we do in worship - believe me, they are. This mom reports that she was surprised and touched to see how her child was processing what she experienced in church. (She was also smart enough to remind her daughter that in church we do the Centering Sound just once!)

Me, I am so delighted to think of our kids "playing church" and doing liturgy on their own. I can tell you, it is really fun to ring the bell during worship. (By the way, we do try to avoid a big BANG!! during the services, but sometimes it may come out a little loud. When that happens, we're sorry!) Beyond the sheer joy of the sound itself, I can also say it is quite magical to feel what happens when that bell is rung. People take a deep breath. They let their shoulders unclench. They pay closer attention to what is happening right now. Is it any wonder kids (and maybe grownups too) should want to be the ones with that power, the power to call everyone around them back to life, back to presence and mindfulness, with a gentle ring of a bell? Or sometimes a big BANG!! Don't forget, we all have that power. We all get to help each other wake up and pay attention. We all need those reminders, again and again and again. Though some days just once will do!

Grateful for everyone and everything that calls us back to re-center and re-awaken, I wish you all a lively and joyful week!

*At UUCF, RE stands for Religious Exploration - the learning program for children and youth that happens in our Program Building during worship hours. 
 
CT
What is the CT, Anyway?

As the dog days of summer loll along, it seems like a good time to explain a few things that folks ask about from time to time. This week, we'll take the opportunity to tell you about what the Coordinating Team, also called the CT, does on your behalf and what they've been up to lately.

 

Who's on the CT?

In addition to Parish Minister Mary Katherine Morn and Associate Minister Laura Horton-Ludwig, the CT includes Executive Director Rich Sider and two lay members, Kristin Moyer and John Cunningham. Both lay members have served extensively in leadership at UUCF.

 

What Does the CT Do?

In a nutshell, the CT is accountable for UUCF's daily operations. Each Tuesday, when the CT meets, the group has an agenda of decisions that must be made about all kinds of operational issues including, but not limited to, strategic planning, budgeting, staffing, approving individual expenditures under $10,000 (anything above that must be approved by the Board of Directors), facilities, communications and programming.

 

How is the CT Accountable to the Congregation?

The Board of Directors, elected by the congregation, is the main policy-making and visioning body for the congregation. In turn, the Board delegates to the CT implementation of the vision. This includes the responsibilities listed above. The Board reviews and approves the CT's annual performance goals and receives regular goal progress reports from the CT. The CT also reports regularly to the congregation on its activities. Click here for access to all past CT meeting minutes.

 

What's the Latest From the CT?

In July, the CT set the following goals for the current year that began Jul. 1:

 

1.  2010-2013 Strategic Plan third-year priorities:

  • Give special attention to supporting the strategy for growth in membership, including promotion of the Saturday service and RE program.
  • Ensure the parking lot project proceeds, is funded and adequate meeting space is available during construction.
  • Support the new Social Justice Minister's work to realize broader congregational involvement in social justice.
  • Continue to build small group participation and engagement, including development of an ongoing program for leadership development.

2.  Support the Capital Campaign, if the Board decides to move forward with it, and implement approved projects as funding is available.

 

3.  Working with the Stewardship Advisory Team, build a strategy that will:

  • Promote stewardship within the congregation throughout the year.
  • Establish a multi-year annual giving plan.

4.  Finalize and implement the staffing and technology plan to add video and live streaming capability in the Sanctuary and Chapel.

 

5.  Develop a strategy for broad congregational inclusivity awareness-raising and action.

 

6.  Coordinate the process to establish strategic goals for the 2013 to 2016 period for congregational action at the June 2013 annual meeting.

 

How Do I Get in Touch With the CT?

The CT welcomes your feedback on its goals or any aspect of operations or programs. Please contact Rich Sider.

 
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax
We are a liberal religious congregation whose mission is to transform  
ourselves, our community and the world through acts of love and justice.
 
 
(703) 281-4230