Spirit and Community
Chalice Lighting
We come with the weight of life
held quietly in the secret spaces of our heart.
The ballast of our spirits so easily shifts
and knocks us off center.
Into this place, we walk
hoping to find a voice, a song, a moment of sacred silence
that will bring us back to balance,
that will anchor us again in beauty, trust and connection.
We light our chalice this evening
in gratitude for many ways we help each other return home
Announcements
Enquirer’s Class would like Board Participant: August 2, 2020, 7:30 p.m. Sean will participate.
General Assembly Participants to share at a future Religious Education Session
Board Expectations for the year:
- Complete Successful Capital Campaign
- Engage our congregation in renewing our Values, Vision, Mission and Ends
- Take A Stand: “We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountability dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.” https://www.8thprincipleuu.org/background
Thank You Messages for the Month: Bryce, Amelia, Duncan, Tony, Laura Beth, Jeep, Megan Lloyd Joiner
Circle of Connection: Share something positive that has occurred in your life as a result of the pandemic.
Board Members shared the following: communicate more with family on Zoom, closer connections; spending more time with young children and other family; weekly meetings with men’s group; getting 8 or more hours of sleep a night; new hobby of bird identification; more frequent dinners with parents and other friends; have enjoyed working with the Minecrafters.
Board Education
Laura Parks joined the meeting to answer questions regarding her proposal to help the Board lead the congregation in renewal of Values, Mission, Ends and Vision. The Board had read the proposal from Laura Park, which is based on The Nested Bowls prior to the meeting. There will be three sessions that all congregants will be invited to participate in (Experience the Holy, Stories and Wishes, and Future Vision). The process is proposed to run from the end of August through mid-November; however, dates may change based on Taryn and Laura Beth’s schedules, and capital campaign activities. Laura will train presenters and note-takers; Board Members would attend one of each of the sessions and visit different break-out rooms to see how they are doing. The note-taker will come up with three words or phrases from the group. Facilitators may come from the Board or groups in the congregation, such as Healthy Relationship Committee, lay ministers, the Whitney Young Society, Young Adult group, AROAMAC, Small Group Ministry, etc. Whenever the Board is able to have its retreat, Laura will walk us through the results of the whole process. Motion to accept the proposal was made by John Duggar, seconded by Sha’Ron Glass, Board approved.
Executive Report
Annual Vision of Ministry (AVOM) Overview – Deferred to the next meeting (Taryn has been on leave)
The Work of the Board
Decisive Action
June Minutes: Jen Bain moved to approve, John Duggar seconded the motion, the Board approved.
Capital Campaign Naming Policy – The Board made one change to the policy: Under “Spaces and Objects,” any additions to the items to be named or changes to the amounts listed, must be approved by the Board President and the Minister (not the entire Board). Motion to approve was made by Jason, seconded by Sean Golan, Board approved.
ARAOMC – Allen Lee will be the Board liaison to this committee.
Report from Finance Trustee – We continue to spend less and bring in more than budgeted; the YTD net is +$70,717.85. Motion to approve: Maureen McAndrews, second ??? Board approved.
Capital Committee – Board members were encouraged to sign up to attend Facilitator Training 8/2 or 8/3 and to present or take notes at Focus Groups scheduled 8/4 – 8/13. Everyone who attends the training will receive a written guide. Discussion was around the target amount to be raised. Based on recommendation from the Capital Campaign Committee (which was based on consultant advice and Project Phoenix recommendation), it was decided that $4 million would be the goal for the capital campaign. Final numbers on the construction are not ready yet, but several items are coming in at larger than anticipated amounts (improved A/C system, elevator, etc.). Motion to approve the $4 million goal was made by Jason Delaney, seconded by Jen Bain, Board approved.
Project Phoenix Committee – Committee is busy with construction estimates, no report at this time
Healthy Relations Committee – Discussion was about what, if any, documentation should be kept when the HRC works with congregants; and if so, where would it be housed. Agreement on ensuring confidentiality be maintained.
ByLaw Committee – no urgent issues at this time. Sean has established a Slack channel that can be used to address any suggestions we have.
Closing
Process Observation – We did an excellent job observing our covenant. Communication was respectful, there was humor and goodwill, and conflict was handled appropriately. We remained on task with two minor sidebars for the HRC discussion and some details with Laura Park. Regarding demonstrating ARAOMC, Sean reminded us that there was a request to address a concern that needs follow-up. High energy moment was the finances, low energy moment was the clarification needed on the Nested Bowls process. The most meaningful part of the meeting was the Circle of Connection.
Extinguishing the Chalice
There is, finally, only one thing required of us: that is, to take life whole, the sunlight and shadows
together; to live the life that is given us with courage and humor and truth.
We have such a little moment out of the vastness of time for all our wondering and loving.
Therefore let there be no half-heartedness; rather, let the soul be ardent in its pain, in its yearning, in its praise.
Then shall peace enfold our days, and glory shall not fade from our lives.