"Happiness often sneaks in through the door you didn't know you left open."  John Barrymore

 

At this month's board meeting we spent a fair amount of time talking about the process for making a certain decision.  In Unitarian Universalism, we place a high value on our community.  It is often said that "the process is more important than the decision itself."  This means that we spend time talking about not only what a decision is but how we arrive at the decision itself.

 

How we "do" church together is very much embedded in our principles.  In everything we do we should be consciously living - and governing - from what we say we believe.  For example, the first principle reminds us of the inherent worth and dignity of all people: are we making sure all points of view are heard?  Are we making space for difficult conversations?  The fifth principle, "the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large", asks us if we are following the bylaws that we have all agreed to.  Finally our seventh principal, "respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part" reminds us that that everything we do has future consequences to people we might never meet and will have unforeseen affects.

 

Sometimes a decision is clear and straightforward, but that's rare.  The board is charged with fiduciary, strategic planning, and stewardship of the church as a whole, which means that many times we are facing challenging questions that make us think about who we are and how we want to work together.  We recognize that how we come to a decision, because we place relationship over specific individuals, is more important than the decision itself.  Can we stay in relationship even in disagreement?  Can we stay at the table when we get frustrated?  The ability to do these things and honor the process is part of what makes both a good board member and a healthy board.  Our next board meeting will be held on Thursday, August 20 at 7:00pm.  You are welcome to join us. 

 

 

All Ministry Team Leads meet with the Minister on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary to plan together for all church ministry programming.  This is an open meeting.

Our Worship Team  meets on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 3:30PM in the Minister's office.  Please contact Nora Bird if you are interested in helping the Worship Team as a Team Member, an Usher, Service Leader or Service Coordinator.

 

Youth Religious Education Team

For meeting times and dates see the calendar or contact Team Lead Heather Rushforth.   

In order to decrease our environmental impact, Rev. Ann Marie and the Worship Team are conducting an experiment during August.  There will be no printed Order of Service!

 

We will still have announcement page(s) printed and cut (as they are now) available on the back tables. 

 

Volunteers are needed for Coffee Hour in August.  It is a gift of a time and joy we can all share.  Anyone can sign up; the sheet is on the bulletin board just outside the kitchen, next to the 'Flowers' sign-up.  Serving coffee is easy, and we will be glad to go through it with anyone interested.    

 

We would like to express a sincere "Thank You!" to the great folks who have volunteered to provide coffee after Sunday service. 

 

Karen and Robb Fulkerson  

 

Ladies' Night Out  

 

 

  

Join us the 2nd Monday of the month -- Aug. 10 -- at 6 p.m. at Villarosa,  6010 Landmark Center Blvd, Greensboro, near I-40 and Wendover.  We also meet on the last Monday of each month at Applebee's on Battleground Avenue at 6 p.m.

 

Highlights of the July 22, 2015 UUCG Board of Trustees Meeting

• Karen Madrone, President, reported that Robert Gretton has agreed to serve for one year as a Board member, filling the position left open by Shawn Gagne's resignation.  Karen also noted that Marty Ward agreed to serve on the Committee on Leadership Development, taking the place of Benn Kuecker because our current bylaws do not allow CLD members to serve consecutive terms.  The Board voted to approve both appointments.
• Ken Williams, Building and Grounds Team Lead and Chair of the Restricted Gifts Task Force, led a tour of the outdoor worship area for those present.  The project is about 60% completed and Ken answered questions about progress and plans for the Memorial Garden, Columbarium and Labyrinth that are still in process.  Expenses are expected to exceed the budget (total amount in fund) by about $5,000.
• Lonnie Houck provided the Treasurer's report on behalf of Susan Hill, current Treasurer, who could not attend this meeting.  Delta number (cumulative income vs expense) for the year is negative by about $2,000.  Pledge income received through June was about $2,700 under YTD budget.
• Rev. Ann Marie Alderman noted that she will be doing Adult Faith Formation in the fall until there is a team lead.  She was pleased that so many UUCG members participated in the Moral Monday March on July 13.  The "Hold in Your Hearts" item now going out as part of weekly email announcements mentions only the names of those who have given permission to be included.
• Lonnie Houck, Chair of the Bylaws Task Force, reviewed a draft of proposed bylaw changes for discussion.  The final version of changes approved and recommended by the Board will be announced at least 45 days before the October 18 Congregational Meeting at which they'll be considered for a vote
• At the August meeting, there will be further discussion of guidelines for UUCG's policy about onsite smoking.

 

More details are available in reports posted at the UUCG website   http://uugreensboro.org/for-members/  Go to "2015-16 Board Reports" in July.

 

The next Board meeting will be Thursday, August 20, at 7 pm and is open to all.

 

Submitted by Sharin Francis 

  

 

Dr. Arvid Straube has been chosen as the 2015 Reinhartsen Speaker.  Dr.Straube will be presenting an evening program on Oct. 2 at UUCG entitled "Jesus, the Buddha and Unitarian Universalist".

The Reinhartsen Speaker Fund was established in 2013 to honor the late Rev. Steven Reinhartsen.  Each year a speaker addresses the congregation and the community on subjects that were important to Rev. Reinhartsen.

In 2014, Dr. Straube retired as Lead Minister of First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego, Calif.  He served the church from 2004-2014.  He currently serves as Emeritus Minister at Eno River Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, after serving as its first full time minister for 21 years.  He is married to Sonya Prestridge, who was a UUCG member before their marriage.