The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, Oregon

Reverential Ramblings

Recently, I heard news of another congregation far away in another region of the country.  They are not doing so well.  Their problem?   They are rich.   Years ago a wealthy member left such a large bequest that they now have little need to receive financial donations from their members.  Lacking such a genuine need, there is little impetus for the leadership to ask for meaningful financial commitment from their members.  By virtue of this congregation’s vast wealth, the members are, in effect, like rich offspring who have everything handed to them on a silver platter.  It’s a curse in disguise – enervating, not empowering.  

How ironic it is – individuals and institutions so often dream of how wondrous and liberating it would be to be filthy, stinking rich.  Yet such wealth, when it does come, often leads to a downfall.  If you doubt this, read up on the lives of people who have won enormous sums in the lottery.  For many, a sudden infusion of wealth has been their undoing. 

I’ve got some good news.  Our congregation is not rich – at least not financially speaking. 

Consider our endowment.  I keep more in my personal checking account (which isn’t so much) than we have in our endowment fund.  Of course this level of institutional poverty is not good, either.  A congregation of our age and size should have some substantial endowment fund, and I hope we will do something about that in the not too distant future.  (A simple way to help is to remember the congregation in your will.  Had not Laura Wells had not left us a generous sum a few years back we would not have been able to pay off our mortgage and construct Hanneman Fellowship Hall.)

Consider the operating budget.  It doesn’t have any fat in it.  Even the most zealous tax cutting fiend would be hard pressed to know where to trim very much from our expenses.  According to recommended staff-per-member ratios we are understaffed.  Then, too, generous volunteers donate much of their valuable time, energy and resources which don’t even get factored into the budget.

No, we are not filthy rich, and that is good news.  We are dependent upon weekly infusions of our generous donations in order to keep the doors open.  And every year we have our Every Member Canvass which gives each of us an opportunity to make a meaningful pledge.  Such institutional fundraising is sometimes regarded as a tiresome, unpalatable task.  It’s really not.  Generous, meaningful giving is good for each of us.  Giving (of money and self) is a spiritual discipline that makes us stronger, both as individuals and collectively, as a religious community.  It engenders a sense of ownership and commitment that poor rich congregations, which live mostly on their religious forbears’ bequests, lack.

On March 6, 2005, in our Celebration Sunday Service each of us will have the opportunity to make our generous intentions known.  I hope to see you there and at the catered luncheon afterwards.

 

Love, Rick

TO UUCS MEMBERS FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Your Board of Directors would like to thank all who have shared their thoughts and ideas over the past few months, not only at the October 30^th meeting, but by mail, email, phone calls, and personal contacts.  We have taken your comments to heart and want you to know that we have carefully considered your input.

Board visibility is being enhanced.  UUCS members are always welcome at the board meeting on the second Thursday of every month.  The agenda for each month is now posted on the UUCS website (uucs.salem.org) and on the bulletin board in the fellowship hall on the Sunday before the meeting.  If you have items to be considered by the Board, contact Board chair Chuck Howard to be placed on the agenda - even if it is after the agenda has been posted. 

We would also like to get to know you and to listen to your ideas of how you think the functioning of the UUCS can be improved.  To that end, we will also make ourselves available one Sunday per month during the coffee hour.  Look for us at a table in Hanneman Fellowship Hall and come visit.

The roles of bylaws and policies in governing the congregation have been the focus of some attention.  Bylaws may arise initially from board recommendations, but ultimately they are established through congregational participation and vote.  Bylaws are followed in any decision making.  Policies may arise from teams, committees or the board itself, and give direction to the management of congregational activities.  As situations arise that differ from policies, the board may utilize flexibility in their application, utilization, or enforcement. 

Please do remember that we are a board of directors serving a religious community.  We strive to seek a balance in considering the needs and requirements of the church, individual members, and our interactions with the outside community.  There may be times when a situation requires modification of policies in order to balance reason and compassion when there may be conflicting interests. 

Such was the case when strong feelings were expressed about recent hiring policies and decisions.  The decisions represented resolution of many factors involving both reason and compassion for others.  We are sorry some people were upset. 

However, we also recognize that we will not please everyone all of the time.  We care for each member of our congregation and we are proud of our staff.  In collaboration with the Committee on Ministry and others, we are seeking to structure means by which UUCS can address conflict.

Finally, the board has prepared a point-by-point response to most of the issues and concerns that have been expressed.  That full document is available in the office.  You may stop by the office and pick up a copy or call Rose Drake and have a copy sent to you by mail or by email.

We appreciate your continued interactions with the board and with board members.

In peace,

The UUCS Board of Directors:  Chuck Howard, David Boaz, Lois Nodland, Marian Robison, Jon Diehl, Angela Herrera, Lori Jenkins

 

Calling Singers of All Ages

The Easter Sunday choir will be intergenerational, like the rest of the service.  Rehearsals will be Sundays at 9:30, beginning March 6.  Come one, come all, come sing!  Contact David Boaz or Claire Diehl for more information.

 

Confluence Chorus Concerts

“From Main Street to Broadway” will feature lots of old favorites from some of the best musicals and Broadway shows of the 20th century.  From Sondheim to Bernstein, Gershwin to Rogers & Hammerstein, we guarantee you will love the music and probably find yourself singing along.  The Confluence Chorus, which rehearses in our church, will perform in Salem on Saturday, March 5, 7:00 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 700 Marion St. NE and in Portland on Sunday, March 6, 4:00 p.m. at Unity of Portland, SE 45th and Stark.  Tickets are $10 and $15.

Alma Marianos

 

Board Nominees Invited

On May 15, UUCS must elect to its Board of Directors:

·  Chair

·  Vice Chair

·  Secretary

·  Treasurer (3-year position)

·  Two directors (2-year terms)

·  One director (one-year term)

We must also elect one member to a three-year term on the Nominating Committee.

You are invited to give suggestions – including yourself, of course! – to any member of the Nominating Committee: Randy Herrin, Dennis Ehrp, or George Struble.  Nominees must be members of the congregation (of at least a year’s standing) and at least 18 years old.  If you want to suggest someone, please ascertain their willingness to serve.  You are also welcome to confer with a member of the Nominating Committee -- or the Board -- to discuss what is involved in board positions.

 

March 12 Seminar

“Creating the UU Church of the Future” is the title of a one-day seminar open to all at UUCS.  Join Board members learning from Michael Durell, author of The Almost Church, at the Hillsboro UU Community Church on Saturday, March 12, from 9 to 3.  The cost is $15; see Rick or any Board member for more information and to sign up.

 

A Baker’s Dozen

Members of our congregation are probably some of the most committed social activists in the Salem area.  Expressing our values of compassion, equity, and responsibility, we dedicate ourselves to collaboratively build a stronger community, in this city and beyond. 

So it is again as Salem UU’s continue to demonstrate their support for the aims of “Stand for Children.” Every one of the following 13 requests found one or more of us pledging our commitment and support during the February 13^th Sunday service.  Interestingly, this ‘Baker’s dozen’ can be applied to most any contemplated social action project:

 

1. Talk to friends and neighbors about… [the work of Stand for Children]
2. Recruit other volunteers
3. Vote for candidates and ballot measures that support… [children’s programs & schools]
4. Consider running for election to… [the local school board]
5. Volunteer to spend quality time with young children outside the family
6. Write a letter to the newspaper editor
7. Send a letter to your legislator
8. Join a… [Stand for Children] committee or task force
9. Do telephone banking for 30 minutes
10. Make a presentation to a familiar group about …[Stand for Children]
11. Become a… [Stand-for-Children] member for [$25] a year, or renew membership
12. Send an additional financial contribution of $10 or more
13. Attend a rally – …[ to tell our legislators that children are our future, and that we cannot stand for another cut of $400 million to our local school system.] 

Petra S. Berger