This Week, May 26, 2013  

This Sunday - Worship 10:30 a.m.

This Sunday - Adult Forum  

9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. in Room 25

Children & Youth Religious Exploration 

To find out what interesting and inspiring things our children and youth are up to, please click here for CYRE News and Notes!     

Next Week, June 2, 2013    

Next Sunday's Service - 10:30 a.m.       

Summary of Annual Meeting & Next Steps

At the Annual Meeting* on Sunday, May 19, the congregation took the following actions:

• Elected Leslie Dickerson, Doyle Dobbins, and Ostin Warren to three-year terms on the Board of Trustees, and Suzanne Perry for an additional term of two years. Remaining on the board are Maggie Duffy, Drew Hansen, Dave Harrell, Jeff Lott, and Pat McGee.
• Elected Richard Flanagan and Chuck Miller to two-year terms on the Nominating Committee, and June Peterson to a one-year term. Other members of the Nominating Committee are Cindy Cohen, Barbara Lenahan, and Steve Marek.
• Debated the proposed operating budget for 2013-14.
• Amended the proposed budget to require the Executive Team (ET)-with the participation of at least two lay members-to conduct a study of the church's staffing and to present a staffing plan. This study will be reviewed by the board and presented to the congregation at the 2014 Annual Meeting or earlier.
• Defeated the proposed budget for 2013-14.
• Defeated a motion from the floor to use income from the Capital Campaign Building Fund of up to $35,000 to supplement the operating budget-and, within six months, to present a plan for the long-term use of the campaign fund, which is currently valued at about $1 million.
• Passed a motion from the floor asking the ET to return within four weeks a revised budget proposal that considers the congregational comments voiced at the Annual Meeting, and which contains "a statement that gives the congregation the information it needs to support the proposed budget."
• Reconsidered and passed as a separate motion the previous amendment requiring a staffing study. (With the defeat of the amended budget, the amendment had also been defeated.)
• Approved the 2013-14 Capital Expense Budget, which did not project any capital expenditures.

At the Board of Trustees meeting on May 20, Jeff Lott was elected president of the board; Suzanne Perry, vice president; and Pat McGee, recording secretary. Steve Cohen was reappointed as treasurer, which is a non-board officer. It was decided that a congregational meeting would be held at noon on Sunday, June 16, to consider the revised budget proposal prepared by the ET. This budget, after being reviewed by the board, will be published on the website by Wednesday, June 5, and will also be available in the church office.  

The ET will proceed with the formation of a team  -including two lay members - to do the staffing study and create a staffing plan. The board will proceed with a separate (but naturally parallel) strategic planning process to create a vision for the future of the church that includes the steps we must take to get there.  

* Note: This summary does not constitute the official minutes of the Annual Meeting, which will be published after they are approved by the board at its next meeting.

First Unitarian Church of Wilmington

Sunday, June 16, 2013
at Noon in the Sanctuary

Children & Youth Religious Exploration

How great would it be to have all current children registered and all teaching teams and other important volunteer jobs filled for next year by the time Catherine returns from sabbatical? What a gift we could give to her!  

Please think about how you would like to help and click here to register your children and/or volunteer to help with CYRE programming.

Dulcimer, Guitar and Vocal Concert

Constellation, an exciting musical duo, will present a concert here at First U on Sunday, June 2 at 2 p.m. Eric Thomas and Helen Wolfson use the hammered dulcimer, guitar and vocals to perform a wide variety of music in their concerts. Topical songs, catchy instrumental pieces, cover songs and ballads!

Don't miss this exciting concert! Tickets at the door are $10, or pay what you can. For more information, see Scott Ward.

The season of branches and blooms has arrived, and many of us have gardens blazing with color. As in the past, we are hoping that our members and friends will share their gardens with us for display at Sunday services. You may clip and construct your own arrangement, then bring it in on Sunday morning. Or contact Suzie Cornell at suzcornell@verizon.net; (610) 925-0510 and she will arrange a time to stop by and collect flowers from your garden. We look forward to many glorious displays in our sanctuary!

New from Pastoral Care!

Our new fiscal year begins July 1, and it's not too early to think about what charities and church related social action projects you would like to nominate for one of our monthly special collections. Each month, on the 2nd Sunday, we give our offering to organizations, both in our church and in the outside community.

Is there a group that holds a special place in your heart? Send your nomination to marina@firstuuwilm.org with your name, charity contact info, and a brief summary of the work they do by May 31, 2013. The Executive Team will evaluate the nominees and will contact you to let you know if your submission has been approved.

The following Special Collections are "pre-approved" and included as part of the budget: Emmanuel Dining Room, Grants for Growth, Independent Living for Young Adults and the Faith Center.

On Saturday, June 8, 2013 the First U's Open Heart Zen Sangha will celebrate summer with a wonderful day of meditation practices. A delicious vegetarian potluck lunch will be served. All are welcome regardless of experience. The retreat will be held in the Brunner Chapel from 9-3 and costs $25 (Cash or check made payable to First Unitarian Church of Wilmington). If you plan to attend, please contact Ben Fleury-Steiner by cell phone 302-379-6918 or email openheartzen@gmail.com.