Becky Reid,UUFH Board President
As we continue to emerge from pandemic inertia, we’re now filled with new energy and lots of exciting plans for the coming year and beyond.
Our recent Council on Committees meeting was an example of our awakening and joyful reconnecting with one another. The arrival of Rev. Terry Davis has revived our spirits and greatly increased our Sunday attendance. The feedback we’re receiving from Sunday attendees is that her services are thoughtful and inspiring. She has contributed immeasurably to our spiritual life.
Despite the pandemic, we accomplished much in the last six months:
Our Social Justice and Worship teams continue to lead us through our current congregational “Allies for Racial Equity” project with excellent speakers, sermons, workshops and reading assignments. Our congregation voted to add the 8th Principle to the UUA 7 Principles.
In November, the You Can Votecampaign brought out 20 of our members and friends who wrote 500 postcards to North Carolina voters reminding them of the importance of voting.
The Social Justice team has given away dozens of books to schools and educators through the“Exploring Diversity Through Literature” project.
Our Feed the Kids team has resumed serving meals to children at the Boys and Girl’s Club.
As a result of the food drive initiated by Sunday Parker and the Family Ministries parents, the congregation donated 452 pounds of food to IAM and Safelight along with clothing.
Through our efforts and generosity, especially this past holiday season, we helped improve the lives of many of our own and our community’s neighbors in need.
So, what are the new initiatives and future plans?
Rev. Terry will be working with the choir in support of our music program as they search for the right musical leadership and explore new challenges.
We have been granted Endowment funds to hire a part-time AV specialist who will also work on upgrading our website and social media platforms.
Both efforts are designed in part to gain the attention of anyone looking online for a progressive spiritual home. We want our website to capture who we are and highlight everything we have to offer. We especially hope to draw young families so featuring our Family Ministries program is essential.
We’re increasing our contact with other faith communities in order to work together more cooperatively on joint community outreach projects.
And for those who miss stimulating speakers, workshops and discussion groups, plans are in the works for a speaker’s forum to begin in the spring. This will fall under Adult Enrichment, an area sorely in need of a kick start. We’re currently working with Marc Mullinax who is very interested in participating in a speaker’s series. We hope to have an announcement soon with more details.
And we’re hoping everyone spreads the word about renting our newly refreshed Fellowship Hall for parties, meetings, wedding receptions, etc.
If we’re to meet the challenges of becoming more active community partners in social justice work, increasing our membership and therefore our income as well as continuing to improve our spiritual life, we need everyone to bring their energy, time, talents and ideas to help us on this journey.
Please join us!
Becky