The Hustle and Bustle of Church
Have you noticed the uptick in attendance? Wasn’t it nice catching up with everyone and celebrating our 65th birthday? Did you see all the prospective new Members taking their orientation classes? Are you looking forward to representing UUCOD at the 39th annual Greater Palm Springs LGTBQ Pride Parade and cutting loose at the annual service auction in the next couple weeks?
This time of year always seems to bring the hustle and bustle of church. Your new 2024 – 2025 Board has now met several times, and we are off and running too. As required, we’ve set new short-range fiscal year goals. (See By-Laws, Art. VII(1) ([Board of Directors shall establish and maintain short/long range goals]; Board of Directors – Descriptions, Policies, and Procedures Res. [Minister and Board shall collaborate in setting goals for the year].)
Our short-term priorities this year pull from the larger Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging and Institutional Thriving areas
of our three-year, strategic goals. For Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, we anticipate new official congregational policies on accessibility and antiracism. For Institutional Thriving, we continue to focus on the good health of the church. We are looking at how we might revise our governance and personnel documents, including Mission, Values, and Vision Statements. We are procuring a replacement church management software system. The Safety Committee is bringing us active shooter trainings and practice evacuation drills, and the Finance Committee is revising financial oversight processes. Take a look here: 2024-25 Short Range Goals
Do you know your Board Liaison? Most committees, activity groups, and auxiliary organizations have an assigned Board Member whose role is be the team’s connection to and direct support from the Board. (See By-Laws, Art. VII, 1. [“Board shall provide . . . liaison services as needed to Committees and Councils”]; By-Laws, Art. VII, F.5. [“Board has power to appoint Directors to serve as liaison between Committees and Board”].)
- Second Vice President Riela is this year’s liaison to the Social Justice and Stewardship Committees as well as the Lifespan Spiritual Growth Team.
- Secretary Simmons is assigned to connect with the Archivist and Membership Committee.
- Treasurer L’Hommedieu remains the liaison to the Finance and Safety Committees.
- Director-at-Large Ressler has the Facilities and Furnishings Committee and Sacred Grounds Initiative.
- Director-at-Large Gendell is the Hospitality Team’s liaison, and the Minister acts as a liaison to many groups: A/V and Care Teams, Choir and Music, Worship Committee, Chalice Circles, and the Committee on Ministry.
Here is the complete list: 2024-25 Board Liaison Responsibilities .
Get in on the hustle and bustle! Be sure to check the online church calendar Be sure to save the date for these upcoming events:
UUCOD Float at Annual Greater Palm Springs LGTBQ Pride Parade: 11/3
Silent and Live Auction: 11/8 – 11/9
Sacred Grounds Table at Annual California Native Plant Society Garden Day: 11/16
New Member Induction and Celebration: 11/17
Next Sacred Grounds Demonstration Garden Dedication: 1/12
New Bake-Off Fundraiser: 1/19
Pledge Drive Kick-Off: 2/2
As always, if you have an idea, suggestion, comment, improvement, or criticism, please contact me or any Members of the Board and convey your thoughts. You can also bring them to the next Voices of the Congregation forum during the next Board meeting.
Recall that this year’s Board meetings are hybrid online on Zoom and in-person in the Community Room. Come as you can! This month, our next regular meeting is November 19th.
—Bob Rancourt
President’s Message Recent Posts
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Let the New Church Year Begin
It’s the end of September, snow birds are returning, church seats are filling up, groups are re-assembling, and the new church year begins. The new Board—constituted by two new Members and one re-elected Member—has now met twice and taken some actions of which to be aware.
Look at how full the church calendar already is! One occasion of which to take note is our 65th birthday on October 13. The first Church Council follows on October 19, and then November brings the Pride Parade on the 3rd and our annual service auction on November 8 and 9. New Members are celebrated on November 17
General Assembly 2024 Is in the Books
From June 20–23, more than 3,400 Unitarian Universalists from around the country and world gathered and attended this year’s all-virtual UUA General Assembly, GA is the annual gathering of UUs, where, in addition to conducting official business of the UUA, they join in community, explore the faith’s theological underpinnings, and emphasize the UUA’s mission, values, and principles. GA 2024 had 2,757 credentialed delegates from 734 congregations in fifty states; Washington, D.C.; Canada; the U.S. Virgin Islands; Mexico, France, and the Philippines. Five UUCOD leaders represented the church: Rev. Riddell; Walter Gendell; Linda Savard; Jane Zaun; and me. This year’s theme was “Love Unites, Stories Ignite,” meant to celebrate the profound impact of love as a binding force that transcends boundaries and divisions.
Open to Change
In some climates, where seasons change, “April showers bring May flowers.” Reportedly, April, the name of the month, originally takes its name from the verb “to open,” as in the season when flowers and trees begin to open. Perhaps it’s no surprise then that April brings Earth Day, on the 22nd.
As we usher in the opening season, are we open to change? Do we encourage enough spiritual growth? Have you transformed lately? Do you value transformation? Rev. Riddell will be asking us to consider transformation this month in his Sunday messages:
President’s Message: Along This Yellow Brick Road of Life
One nice part of the holiday season is the re-airing of classic films associated with the holidays. From Miracle on 34th Street, It’s A Wonderful Life, and Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, to Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Elf, these feel-good motion pictures can stir warm memories and remind us of our family, friends, and the hope and love in life.
Another one that popped up the other day is the all-time great The Wizard of Oz, the “most seen film in movie history.” It’s rich in many themes, but perhaps the transformation of the scarecrow, tin man, and lion is most prescient as we trudge along this yellow brick road of life.
Save the Dates! Church Is Back in Full Swing!
Mark your calendars! Perhaps it’s too generous or optimistic to say that it’s starting to cool a bit here in the desert, and many Members and Friends are beginning to return for the Coachella Valley’s anticipated cooler months. We’ve had our ingathering and it’s time to get church things done.
President’s Message for October 1, 2023
Your 2023 – 2024 Board has now met several times and we are off and running. With an orientation, two Regular Meetings, and a Retreat under our belt, we have discussed and approved many items of business, including our short-range fiscal year goals and longer term, three-year strategic goals. These goals and plans remind me of a former minister who once preached about the importance of setting our boats right. The Board has set its boat right! Read more to find a listing of the goals we approved at our retreat.