Message from the Past President – Flourishing Together!
June was most celebratory! We are blessed to have Rev. Telos as our Settled Minister!!
Many thanks to all who were involved with the detailed preparations and logistics of her very moving installation service held on June 13th. It has been recorded and, if you were unable to attend, it is available for viewing. Special appreciation to the members of the Covenant/Installation Task Force and to members of the Committee on Ministry who worked closely with both Rev. Telos and the congregation over many months.
Deep thanks to our creatives who designed beautiful gifts from the congregation – a ministerial stole and pillow with a peace crane design using cloth from many in the congregation, fabric wall hangings with images from Star Island, and the calligraphy scroll of the Congregational Commitment to Rev. Telos. Additional thanks to the culinary specialists for the delicious and bountiful reception, to the gardeners who provided flowers, to the readers, singers and musicians, to those who directed parking, shuttled passengers, guided newcomers, moved tables and chairs and helped in other ways with set up and clean up…. And most meaningful of all – many thanks for the effort that each person made to be present or to give their wishes to Rev. Telos. So many contributions!
Yes indeed we flourish together. Even as we planned for and attended the installation, the month was chock full with Worship Services, ongoing meetings, discussion groups, caring activities, and special events including the Shemat Shelah Kirtan Shabbat, the Rise Up, Sing Out watch party and the Solstice celebration, all of which reached out to the larger community. Appreciation to all who made these events happen.
As we enter July the Board begins a transition. Norma Willingham will lead us as President, I will step into the Vice-President role, and Jerry Boutcher will join as a new Board member. We are pleased that other members will continue their positions with Kay Curtis, Clerk, Mia Joiner-Moore, Treasurer, and Carla Fogg and Deborah Rowe as Members-at-Large.
A few notes about Board activities:
- We will hold a Board Retreat in August. The agenda is beginning to take form and is likely to include building & grounds including aesthetics, landscape design, remembrance areas and capital needs; history & archives; leadership role descriptions; and rental waiver policies. Plus, we hope to get to know each other a little better and have some fun.
- The Treasurer reported that the Finance Committee will conduct an asset inventory this summer to document and list our physical resources. This has been recommended by past auditors.
- We are thrilled that members and friends have new ideas for activities and projects. We do want to remind folks that Board members too are volunteers and usually need a few days to get back to somebody who contacts us with a question or idea. Some requests, such as use of the building and rental waivers, typically need to go in front of the Board for a decision. Requests about money may need to be reviewed by the Finance Committee. Requests for reimbursements may need to wait for the next time checks are cut by our bookkeeper who is in the office twice a month. We want to be responsive but often things take a little time. But keep the new ideas flowing!
May we flourish together in faith, Leslie