The Board’s Boat Is Set
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!
At our retreat, we listened to feedback that was available from the committees at the time, and we feel that the completed goals align nicely with the goals, plans, and work of our committees and groups.
Our Diversity Inclusion and Belonging Ministry (DIBM) and Social Justice priorities continue.
We are focused on the good health of the church: We are looking at how we might revise our governance documents, including Mission, Values, and Vision Statements.
How to better develop lay volunteer talent for carrying out the Mission, Values, and Vision.
A Communications Committee and Volunteer Coordinator are coming.
Safety Committee work is prioritized.
Long-term financial health is being revisited and better planned.
We also intend to implement outreach into both the larger community and within our beloved community.
We will better diversify musical and worship experiences as we broaden our formats and offerings.
We will offer religious education about all for all.
We invite you to take a closer look at our short- and long-range goals. They are available on the governance tab of the website under Church Documents.
We are also getting better at distributing our documents. Also, on the governance tab of the website under Board of Directors Documents, you should be able to get the most recent approved final agenda and minutes (not draft or unapproved—there is an administrative delay). By the Sunday before the Board Meeting, the agenda will be posted in the lobby, uploaded to the website, and distributed via the preceding Friday weekly newsletter. Minutes will circulate upon approval, including posting in the lobby and on the website (usually a month behind for processing).
As always, feel free to show up in person or online during the Voices of the Congregation portion of the next Board Meeting to ask your questions or tell us your thoughts!
The Board’s “boat is set!” Let’s make it a productive, spiritual, and fun church year!
~ Bob Rancourt
President’s Message Recent Posts
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.