As It Happens

"Our church culture is defined by a spirit of genuine care for one another.  We take seriously the practice of shared ministry, inspiring a membership that is active and engaged, with all giving generously of their gifts."

These words begin the UUCUC Strategic Plan 2013-2018.  The words "spirit of genuine care for one another"  and "all giving generously of their gifts"  motivated me several months ago to suggest that the Board designate a Discretionary Fund for the benefit of congregants.

In all lives misfortunes are bound to happen.  Many of us have experienced or will experience temporary financial difficulties, most likely during economic downturns.  At these times it is helpful to know that the church offers a safety net to support congregants when they most need it.

The Discretionary Fund has been established by the Board and put into effect by the Finance Committee.  Offerings to the Fund can be made year-round, but April and November are the months when congregants can be reminded of it.

How do you make a donation?  You may drop a check into the offering plate, with the memo "Discretionary Fund."  You may also go to the UUCUC.org website, click on the "menu," scroll down to "give," and click on "online donation and pledge payment" line.  You'll see that the Discretionary Fund is at the bottom of the page.

The minister and the treasurer are the only ones who know to whom disbursements are made, and there are financial safeguards throughout the policy.

Questions?  Please ask me, your Interim Minister for this year, or Treasurer Lynn Wiley.  

As It Happens

“Who are you?” said the Caterpillar. 

“I – I hardly know, Sir, just at present,” Alice replied rather shyly, “at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have changed several times since then.” – Lewis Carroll, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland 

Do you sometimes feel like Alice? Is UUCUC changing around you, and you wonder who you are today as a congregation? If so, you are not alone. 

Many staff changes are happening these days. I’ll take this opportunity to fill you in on some of them. 

First, the Personnel Committee chose a new part-time Office Administrator, Linda Scheidler. She begins work Monday, April 11, while your present Office Administrator Brittni Ballard is still here and can show her the ropes. Personnel worked through Spherion Agency to find Linda, and she is their employee until the Board determines her employment status with UUCUC. 

Second, the Personnel Committee is narrowing the field of applicants for the position of part-time membership Coordinator. Personnel is scheduling interviews with several highly well-qualified persons early in May. These persons found out about the position through the News-Gazette and other employment websites and organizations. 

Third, UUCUC has been without a professional Sunday Sexton since mid-January. Volunteers who are faithfully doing the Sunday morning tasks deserve a huge vote of thanks. Personnel has connected with organization Developmental Services Center (DSC), who can select a person to work with a companion staff member of DSC to learn the routines of the position. Later, the employee will function without the companion. We hope to see this team in place by May. 

Fourth, during Kitchen Helper Stephanie Cobb’s absence, UUCUC hired youth Tom McDermott as substitute. Many thanks to him and to the volunteers who also filled in. 

Last, the finances of UUCUC are in the capable hands of new bookkeeper Steve Bremseth, also found through Spherion. Todd Kinney, volunteer bookkeeper for many years, now gets to volunteer in other areas of church life. He, too, deserves a huge “Thank you!” for his expert and far-sighted management of church funds. 

This blog is longer than I like, but you now know about the multitude of staff changes during this first year of the Interim Transition.