Slate of Nominees Announced

The Nominating Committee is pleased and proud to announce the nominees for Board of Trustees and other positions for the Year 2005-2006. The slate will be presented at the Congregation Meeting on May 1. 

Chair-Elect: Barny Dunning

Trustee: Volker Thomas

Treasurer: Gale Kvam

Assistant Treasurer: Janice Thiel

Secretary: Dagmar Murray

Endowment Board: Marty Patchen

Nominating Committee: Lisa Pantea     

The Nominating Committee wishes to thank all those who considered nominations to these important positions. And I wish to thank my outstanding committee members— John Duvall, Kaye McSpadden, and Gary Fowler — for their dedication and wonderful teamwork in fulfilling our mission.

—    Nancy Patchen, Chair, Nominating Committee

 

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Building options: Straw vote shows strong support for buying another property

 

            In February, the New Building Committee presented the congregation with a series of options regarding the direction of our building program.  We discussed these options at a congregational meeting, collected straw votes on the options at that meeting, and solicited additional opinions though a ballot circulated in the Lighted Chalice.  So far we have received 73 ballots.  Sixty ballots were cast at the congregation meeting, while an additional 13 ballots were placed in the NBC mailbox after they were mailed in the Lighted Chalice. We will continue to accept ballots and input, but this is enough of a sample to start talking about some apparent trends.

            We listed five options on the ballot:   re-do the existing design for the Union Street property, come up with a new design for Union Street, investigate other properties, develop a plan to stay at Seventh Street, and find another group with which to share a building.   On the straw ballot, we asked people to record their preferences, giving their top preference a score of  “1,” their second preference a score of  “2” and so on.   We instructed people to leave an option blank (not give it a score) if they felt that option was not viable.  We also had an option labeled “other” with room for people to write in other thoughts.

            There are a number of ways to look at the data.   The congregation has strong interest in the options that received the greatest number of votes and also in the options that received the largest number of number 1 or number 2 scores.  We calculated a point total for each option in the following manner:   Each time an option was mentioned on a ballot, we gave 5 points for each number 1 vote, 4 points for each number 2 vote, etc.   We noted how many people ranked each option as being acceptable at some level (i.e., did not leave the option blank) and how many number 1 votes each option received.   We also tabulated the suggestions listed in the “other” category.  Many people who wrote in “other” options gave them a score on the 1-5 score, and we noted these rankings.

            We tabulated the results of the 60 ballots from the meeting and the 13 ballots from the mailbox separately.  There did not seem to be any  differences, so we pooled the two datasets.  

            The option that received the strongest support was to buy another property.   That option totaled 311 points, and was mentioned as a viable option on 60 of 73 ballots (82%).  Everyone who ranked this option placed it in their top three choices.  Forty people listed it as their number 1 choice.

            The next ranked options were developing a plan to stay at Seventh Street (208 points), and developing a new design for Union Street (183 points). These options were selected on 48-55 of the 73 ballots at some level (66-75%), and were the first option for 14 and 10 people, respectively. We suggest that the congregation consider these options to be equally ranked.

            The options with the lowest support were d) re-doing the existing design for Union Street (80 points) and e) sharing a facility (55 points). These were selected on 27-28 ballots (37-38%).  Five people picked re-doing the existing design as their number 1 option, while no one picked sharing as their top option.  

            One point—the wording on the ballot with regards to the sharing option probably contributed to its low  ranking. The ballot specified sharing an existing facility with another church (because that was the idea originally suggested).  Several people stated on their ballot that they believed it would be more viable to share a facility with a non-religious organization or business, since that would probably allow for more compatible schedules.   We have been approached by the New Community School, for instance, about sharing a facility.  If the option had been worded to allow for sharing with another type of organization, then that might have changed the ranking of that option.         
 

Comments received in the  “other option” category include the following:

- Need formal discussion of church structure for future before making any          additional steps (mentioned by three people, all of whom ranked it #1)

- Sell Union Street property and then    look for land / other building (mentioned by 3 people, ranked #1 by 2 people and #2 by 1)

- Look for nonreligious organization with which to share            facility – day care, school, business  (mentioned by 2 people, ranked #1 and #3)

- Renovate existing building   (#4 option mentioned by one person) - Buy a new property and build a completely different design (#3 option of one person).

- Redesign for Union Street but limit      design to 15,000 sq. feet (#1 option of one person).

- Purchase existing building for $700-$900,000, allowing $500,000 to custom fit to UU needs (#2 option of one person).

- Be patient in looking for existing structure to purchase (#1comment of one person).

- St. Andrews seems to meet our needs (#1 comment of one person).

- Buy another building that we could      grow in for 5-10 years. Also buy land on which we could later build a much bigger building.

 

We believe that these results suggest that we should form groups to look into 1) purchasing available other properties, 2) exploring other design concepts for Union Street, and 3) a growth accommodation plan for the 7th Street property.

Other major priorities will be examining the growth analysis for the church, and re-assessing the congregation’s desires for future growth and structure.  Both of these latter priorities may be the responsibility of another church entity such as the Board, Long Range Planning, or the Program Council.

We are very interested in additional input from the congregation.

—Barny Dunning, NBC chair

 

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The Marriage of Science and Religion: A Hopeful, Inspiring Vision of the Next 250 years

A workshop and discussion at the Unitarian Universalist Church

Tuesday, April 5, 7-9 PM

Free to All

-An exploration of how “The Great Story”—the epic of evolution told as a sacred story—bridges science and religion and how it provides common ground for atheists, theists, pantheists, humanists, and spiritual seekers.

-A way of thinking about the cosmos and our relationship to it that inspires people to relate to social justice and environmental sustainability in an entirely new way.

-An exploration of directionality in the cosmos (how evolution has led to greater complexity, cooperation, and interdependence over time) and a look at long-term evolutionary trends and short-term historic trends that are hopeful and inspiring for those of us committed to just, healthy, beautiful, and sustainably lifegiving future.

Connie Barlow, author of popular science books bridging evolution and meaning, and the Rev. Michael Dowd, former United Church of Christ pastor, both Unitarian Universalists, embody the marriage of science and religion as wedded partners and itinerant evolutionary sacred story tellers.  Connie and Michael are affectionately known as “evolutionary evangelists.”  They have delivered sermons and workshops in over 150 congregations over the last three years and have presented workshops. 

To learn more about them visit their website at www.TheGreatStory.org.

 

 

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Shared Hearth Suppers

Consider joining us for the next round of Shared Hearth Suppers the weekend of April 22, 23, & 24.  For those who have not participated, these arranged potluck dinners take place in members’ homes.  They are a wonderful chance to get to know each other in a relaxed social setting.  If you wish to participate for the first time (canvass suppers don’t count) you need to fill out a form at the back of the church or call or email as directed below. 

    As always, supper hosts are needed, so please let me know if you can provide the setting.  Regular participants should also email or call me if there are days they are not available.  This works much better if I get the information before the invitations are issued.  I need to have all the relevant data—hosts, new participants, dates of availability by April 2.  Invitations should go out the following week.  You can contact me, Kathy Schroth.

 

 

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UU Book Group

Monday, April 11. The Curious Incident of the Night-Time Dog by Mark Haddon

Monday, May 9. The Dogs of Babel by Caroline Parkhurst

The UU Book Group meets on the 2nd Monday of every month at 7pm at Borders Bookshop in Wabash Landing in the lounge area where it joins with  Panera’s. All are welcome to join us for discussions of books selected by participants. 

For more information contact Dagmar Murray.

 

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WBAA Sponsorship earns recognition for congregation

 Your contributions to WBAA Public Radio can count twice if you make them through the church.  Not only will you get the usual tax deduction and WBAA logo gift but WBAA will acknowledge the church as an underwriting sponsor.   Perhaps you have heard our name on the radio with pride.  If you haven’t, we need more contributions so we will receive more mentions!  It all helps to make the community aware of our presence.

Instead of giving a contribution directly to WBAA, write WBAA on the memo line of your check and put it in the collection plate or mail it to the treasurer.  We will cash your check and donate the entire amount to WBAA in the name of the church.  If you would like one of the premium gifts the radio station offers we will gladly collect it for you.

 

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Come Discuss the Restructure of Program Council

Program Council as it was originally structured might have made some people feel that their voices have not been heard.

All members and friends are invited to attend this important meeting. Let’s work together to ensure that Program Council is a vehicle for communication as well as an essential piece of the church structure.

Robin Poindexter will facilitate this meeting Thursday, March 31, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. upstairs at the church.

 

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WALK WITH THE YOUNG ADULTS

Get out your track shoes and join the Young Adults on Sunday, April 10 to participate in the Lafayette Homeward Bound Walk! Stepoff will be at 2 PM (registration begins at noon) at Riehle Plaza. Funds raised will benefit five area homelessness prevention and affordable housing agencies. The Young Adults are requesting donations in support of the Community and Family Resource Center, and you may also individually request donations for any of the participating agencies you prefer. You may find out more information about the Homeward Bound Walk at www.homelesswalks.org (it is a statewide event in eight locations, so be sure and click on the Lafayette Walk). If you would like to offer a donation in support of the Community and Family Resource Center, you may contact Charles Coley at sroleg@yahoo.com or 474-7229. All donations are tax deductible, and the Young Adults Group offers its gratitude in advance for all who donate to this very worthy cause!
 

 

Thank You from the Young Adults

The Young Adults Group graciously thanks the following individuals who volunteered for Habitat for Humanity on Saturday, March 19:
            Kitty Campbell-Laird and Kyler Laird
            Malcolm and Tandy Easler
            Alanna Steffen
            Elizabeth Lautzenhiser
            Charles Coley

Everyone had a wonderful time, and the Young Adults Group extends an open invitation to anyone interested in volunteerism to attend one of its upcoming monthly community service activities. For more information, contact Charles Coley.

 

A Note from the Food Pantry...

St. John’s/LUM Food Pantry want to thank you for your support and kindness. You have been supporting the food pantry for many years. We appreciate your support and kindness. In 2004 we gave out food for more than 20,000 people in the Lafayette area.

Sincerely,

Jim Hess & Jackie Paar, Corodinators

   

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Religious Education Happenings

 Religious Education Director: Sarah Boulac
RE Committee Co-Chairs: Beth Misner, Cheryl Fowler

 

 “You can’t make a turtle come out,

  You can’t make a turtle come out,

  You can call him or coax him
   or shake him or shout,
   But you can’t make a turtle come out”

      Singing the words of Malvina Reynold’s song, urged on by Eric Thiel’s guitar, Kaye McSpadden and Marty Becker led the Forum in a joyful noise as they introduced us to the music and words of this shy woman who could face thousands from the stage but at a party had little to say.

      Forum has more music coming up and an open discussion of the meaning of Easter.

 

March 27. “What Does Easter Mean to Me? John Wilms and Ernest McDaniel. In his book, Resurrection: Myth or Reality, Bishop Spong speaks of the evolution of his thinking in arriving at the essential message of the Easter experience. This will be an open discussion of our individual ways of experiencing Easter.

 

April 3. “Blacks And Jews Make American Musical History Together.” Joe Rubinstein. When jazz was coming of age as mainstream American music, Black and Jewish musicians displayed clear joy in discovering their affinity for making music together. Reminiscent musical samples demonstrating this affinity will be played and discussed.