Your Board would like to share with you some of our thinking following the offer of Emerald Heights Academy to rent the Education Building. The Academy contacted Rebecca Chatfield, our Director of Finance and Operations, in late December and she met with the Staff Leadership Team (SLT) in early January describing the offer. They wished to use the building during weekdays, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., not on weekends, and not during the months of July and August. They wanted a three year contract, which could be renewable, for $80,000 a year. The Academy communicated that they were on a short timeline to find a new place and needed an answer by the end of January.
The SLT members all wrote up their thoughts as to how they thought this tenant would impact East Shore. They felt they had little experience for making this evaluation since the only really long time tenant we have had is the Music School, which takes up the whole Music Building, not really a shared space. The SLT reached out to some constituents for their views. This resulted in emails to the Board from those who had received the information. This was communicated to the Board, which met on January 24. The Board asked that Rebecca continue to pursue a possible rental with Emerald Heights while the Board engaged more of the congregation. Before a process for feedback could be completed, Emerald Heights felt they could not wait to continue their search, and withdrew their offer.
In trying to debrief this experience, Reverend María Cristina suggested that we not debate the merits of the possible tenant, but rather consider the lessons we need to take from this experience, specifically so that we might do this process better in the future. There was considerable discussion. These were the areas identified as needing further consideration:
How to increase a sense of trust between the Board & congregation.
How to proceed when so pressed for time, but without letting the time factor overwhelm a need for process.
How to include the wider congregation so that there is more inclusion.
Do we need further policy? As to process? As to possible tenants?
This was definitely a learning experience for all of us and it is clear we need to continue to refine this process so that we might respond more nimbly should an appropriate renter present themselves in the future.
Respectfully submitted,
Your Board of Trustees
Board of Trustee Changes
Ann Carlstrom has served as the Secretary of the Board since last June. Unfortunately, due to Bill’s health concerns, Ann has resigned so that she can use her energy where it is most needed at this time. We thank Ann for all her work for the Board and send all our very best wishes to Ann and Bill.
Maury Edwards, who was our Secretary for the last Board, has consented to come back as Secretary through June. We welcome Maury and are grateful that he already has the background he needs to take up this task. Thank you, Maury.
Have you noticed the new visitor-badge board? We have so many new visitors that I needed a larger board to hold all the nametags! Were you in the Sanctuary last month when we welcomed 20 children into our community in a child dedication? Rev. María Cristina and I are also excited that 46 members and friends are currently engaged in the Transforming Hearts class, and that’s after 95 of you attended the program by Alex Kapitan. East Shore is shining right now and the momentum has us ready for all the joy yet to come.
In June 2022, the congregation voted to transition from a fiscal year (July-June) pledging year to a calendar year (January-December). This spring is our transition!
For the past few years, we have seen an increase in members who are set up for regular monthly giving. This is great because it helps us plan for the year as we can predict giving. Some members are even signed up to be a sustainable giver, meaning their pledge will automatically increase every year by a percent of their choice. This increase will happen every January.
What we need is those members who give by check, stocks, or designated giving to fill out a pledge card and help support East Shore for the rest of this current calendar year. For those new to East Shore, this is also a great time to start your support of East Shore and show your commitment to this community. You can pledge now here.
Please join us on Sunday, March 12, as we pledge our support to East Shore and the work we are doing here.
by Nicole Duff, Director of Membership Development
Your minister *wants* you to call them when you need them. Your minister *wants* to be there for you. You are not a burden.
None of us became ministers because we want to do committee work and answer more emails.
We became ministers for people. We love worship leadership, and being with you.
When ministers are together, we complain that our people *don’t* call us when they’re in the hospital, or something bad happened to them.
We are honored when you trust us with your stories.
So please, please call your minister when you need us. Call us when something terrible happens to you, or when something wonderful does. We can share a phone conversation, exchange emails or texts, or meet in person or via zoom.
The Helping Hands Ministry Team is here to help you when needed and needs your help as well. When you need a little extra help, we probably have members of our church community who can help fulfill a need or provide help with referrals.
Sample of needs include:
Transportation (Healthcare appointments, day surgery, church services or events)
Pet or Plant care while someone is in the hospital
Light housework
Light yard work
Help with moving
Minor Home Jobs (Ex: Using Ladder to change Fire Alarm Batteries)
Helping Hands also needs Helpers to provide Services!
And of course, in order to offer help, we need people willing to step up and provide some help. If you can volunteer, please e-mail Carol Sinape, your Helping Hands Coordinator. Include your name, contact information, services you can provide, as well as days and times you might be available.
List any expertise you may be able to share such as knowledge of resources (people and services), willingness to make calls to secure helpers or anything else you think might be helpful to others.
Thank you! Working together we can help lighten each other’s burdens.
This year the assembly is in Pittsburgh, PA from June 21-25.
What’s a Delegate at General Assembly?
The UUA organizes an annual event called “General Assembly” or ‘GA’ which is a gathering of congregants from UU churches, ministers, and allied groups to worship, educate, connect, and conduct the business of the UUA. Delegates participate in conducting the business of the UUA as representatives from their congregation. All the delegates represent the member congregations of the UUA.
Who are Delegates?
Delegates are members of their congregations. Each congregation decides how to select them. Delegates could be selected by: volunteering, or by a nominating group that identifies and recommends them, or the Board of Trustees appoints them. At a congregational meeting, delegates can be elected; or a Denominational Affairs Committee helps recruit, train, and orient the delegates.
How Does ESUC Select its Delegates?
The UUA tells each congregation on a proportional basis how many delegates they can send to GA. East Shore will have 7 delegates this year plus a few alternates. East Shore is using a new process this year to select delegates. The Board has asked the 8th Principle Ministry team to develop a list of possible delegates for their approval using criteria already approved by the Board. You can fill out the Delegate Nomination form for criteria at forms.gle/K5GuxAiJFpP2Mah86. Individuals can also self-nominate directly to the Board by emailing Nicole at [email protected].
Why Do People Want to be Delegates?
They have feelings about the items being voted on. They want to represent their congregation’s opinion to the gathering of member congregations. They want to participate in the process that determines the direction UUism will take on various issues.
What Do Delegates Vote On? What are This Year’s Issues?
This year’s big issues are the proposed revision to the UUA’s Bylaw Article II that has our 7 principles and 8 sources. See esuc.org for more info. Also, the referendum election of a new UUA President. There may be other items to vote on, such as a statement of witness, and they will be published closer to General Assembly for delegate review.
How Does ESUC Support Delegates?
This year the 8th Principle Ministry Team will make sure you have what you need to be a knowledgeable delegate, and individual members will be available for your questions. Experienced delegates will be a resource for you to understand the process.
What Are a Delegate’s Responsibilities?
Delegates attend GA either remotely or in person and vote on various topics. Last year, the UUA began moving away from a focus on parliamentary process to the actual issues. What it’s like to be a delegate is changing. Attending online is possible and free if you are only a delegate. Business is done during half-days and not concurrent with other activities, leaving time to attend workshops and other events the rest of the days. Delegates bring back news and information to their congregation. At East Shore, that means writing an article and/or participating in a service about what happened at GA and what your experience was like.
How Can You Become a Delegate?
Just complete the short Google form at the Delegate Nomination form found at forms.gle/K5GuxAiJFpP2Mah86. Criteria for being a delegate and submitting your name is at the link. The Board will also accept volunteers as candidate delegates from the congregation. The Board will make the final decision among the full slate, using the criteria described on the nominating form, during the April 11, 2023 Board meeting.
What Has Other Delegates’ Experience Been?
As an in-person delegate, Grace Colton found 2022 GA to be energizing and meaty. “You experience the energy of hundreds of other UUs in one room thinking about the future of our faith. There are people to talk with, including VIPs. Sessions give you the context and rationale for the issues you are voting on. You can speak to the question being voted on, or not, and amendments that have been approved in “mini-assemblies” are included in the final voting of any particular item. I found I needed to expect preparation before GA. After all, an educated voter makes better decisions. Preparation was worth it for the meaningful topics to vote on and a sense of community living into UUism!”
As an online participant, Maury Edwards says “I would love for more congregants of East Shore Unitarian Church to experience that wider world. And to consider being a delegate to ensure appropriate representation. Delegates do not have to pay to attend General Assembly’s business meetings. Delegates can attend virtually which is how I have attended for the last three General Assemblies and plan to again this coming June.”
A year ago today, the Ministerial Search Committee was on pins and needles as the names of the ministers who were considering East Shore had not yet been released to us. Think of that, no one on the committee knew the name, Rev. Dr. María Cristina Vlassidis Burgoa this time last year. To those who are so new to our community that you didn’t know that you are only slightly newer than our amazing minister, we say “Welcome! We are thrilled you are here!” To everyone old and new, staff, members, and visitor co-conspirators, we add “Well done!” As the year comes to an end, we have much to celebrate with joy. And no one person, nor one committee, but rather we as a community have collectively made this amazing year at East Shore happen. (See pg. 6 for more examples!)
On the Board, we have just completed our first four months in our current composition. You read that right: just four months. Yes, the elected members of the Board along with Nicole and Rebecca have been together now since late June, but it wasn’t until mid-August that we became whole, welcoming back Amanda Alice from paternity leave and welcoming Rev. María Cristina officially to East Shore. During these short four months as a complete Board we have made productive use of our time. Most important to me has been in building our relationships within one another and as a Board. These relationships that we are building have been and will continue to be fundamental to everything we do. Relationship building is hard and heart work. We have experienced joy and sorrow, celebrations and healthy conflict. We are a work in progress, but only in intentional relationship can we do the important planning and collaborative governance work that are our collective duty. Only on the foundation of our relationships will we be able to support the work we have ahead of us as a community to achieve our church goals for 2023.
As we move into 2023, I anticipate many opportunities for the congregation to grow in relationship with one another; working toward our goals, having conversations about our big open questions, and in our many ministries. I invite everyone in the East Shore community to engage deeply in these opportunities. As just one example starting on January 15 is our series of Transforming Hearts which is directly connected to our goal around establishing deeper connections with LGBTQIA+ work in our community. Whatever work you engage in this coming year, may it bring you joy, and may you humbly and courageously do the hard and heart work that will grow the foundational relationships that will serve you and the community for years to come!
With Love and Gratitude,
David Langrock
Vice President
