February 2, 2021
In Attendance: Daniale Lynch (Moderator)
Lana Quackenbush (Vice Moderator)
Jocelyn Furbush (Treasurer)
Arianna Lambie (Secretary)
Mark Alter (Member at large)
Craig Moro (Minister)
- Check-In
- Meeting Minutes-review from 1/5/20 Board Meeting: Approved
- Standard Reports:
- Minister’s Report
- See details below
- Spoke at the Salem UU Church a few times and noticed the different technology in use there.
- It might be worth consulting with them about hybrid worship.
- Spokane and Salem have been planning workshops that we might be able to piggyback on.
- Has reached out to several potential speakers for Wy’east and received confirmation from many of them.
- Announcement Date proposal
- Spoke with the Committee on Ministry and decided to make the announcement with the canvas.
- Board members agree with timing.
- We have had a number of visitors each week, likely related to Craig’s presence. Can we acknowledge that and promote Craig’s final sermons? We’ll address that when the time gets closer.
- Minister’s Report
- Worship Committee Report
- The schedule is in good shape. Just a few openings remain in April and May.
- Integrating some of the survey feedback gradually.
- Social Justice Committee Report
- Moving along well.
- Q-center and Girl Scouts Beyond Bars have positive reports.
- Attendance at services with social justice speakers has been good.
- Possible theme for next year: Economic injustice.
- Medical debt
- RE Committee Report
- Updated website with virtual RE info
- All avenues of RE have been active and going well.
- Kate is working on a new idea like a scavenger hunt related to UU principles.
- Kate and Craig are working on a video to use during a spring service.
- Treasurer’s Report
- July through December we are net positive; much better than expected.
- We are in a good position in January too; report coming soon.
- Some donations are coming from distant visitors via website.
- Membership Committee Report *** see below
- Canvass Committee
- Bruce, Hank, and Matt have all agreed to be on the committee again.
- Digital needs? Reflections?
- Other items/reflections?
- The Mt. Hood Cluster is interested in starting a monthly newsletter about congregational happenings. Lana will look at our website and think about what and how we might share.
- The website still has a lot of out-of-date content. Ari is planning on meeting with Linda M. about a website plan.
- Digital refresh funds left? Ari will ask Linda
- Lift up in thanks
- Barbara D - Cluster liaison
- Anders - Website
- Ari will make a document with members’ names, and we can find a way to acknowledge everyone in time.
- First names only
- Mathias has been receiving and forwarding office@wyeast emails, and would like to pass that role on. He has reached out to Jeff S. and is waiting for a reply. Should it be an official responsibility associated with a specific role?
- To Confirm when meeting in person:
- Board:
- Meeting Notes April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December, January, February
- Endowment Committee Members
- Board Discretionary Fund for Zoom License
- Contract w/ Jolanda Walter
- Congregation: Annual Meeting Notes/voting
- Board:
- On Hold:
- Ron would like time to discuss ordering rainbow chalice tees-- waiting until logo is finalized.
- GA2022: will send an email via the newsletter to determine if anyone is interested in hosting any activity. Jolanda will get this started
- Confirm Next Meeting Date: 3/2/21, 7pm
Respectfully submitted by Arianna Lambie, Secretary
Ministers Report—2-21
1) Sermon preparation, newsletter columns, etc. Several extra columns around holidays.
2) Phone calls, e-mails. Pastoral calls, Zoom meetings with congregational members/leaders.
3) Colleague consultation.
4) Martial arts and Spanish language study
5) Kentucky UU/Muslim Book study group—proposal submitted to UUA Article 2 commission to include Islam in Source language
6) UUMUAC meetings: preparing for February conference on defending the 7 current principles. More information coming! (Time: 1-3 p.m.) I will deliver closing words for the conference
7) 5th Principle Project meeting—preparing to run a candidate for UU Board. No Board members have been elected with discussion/debate/opposing candidates since 2012! All have been “rubber-stamped.” Not this time!
8) Attended most Wy’east Sunday services
9) Preached at Salem UU church Jan. 24
10) Prepared response to Sunday service survey for Worship team:
11) Working with Kate to create a video to illustrate my original story in upcoming (May?) sermon
12) Reviewed colleague’s new book—more on that soon
13) Secured agreements to speak at Wy’east from Dr. Vivian Djokotoe, Derek Bradley (policy advisor for Joanne Hardesty), Dr. Han Liang (regional mental health director for Kaiser), Rev. Dr. Finley Campbell (UUMUAC leader, educator, labor activist), Rev. Summer Albayati, Dr. Amadou Fofana (director of Portland African Film Festival), and Lama Eric Treiblehorn from local Tibetan Buddhist center
14) Simple “research” on proliferation of new UUA administrative positions and connection to authoritarian overreach. Here are some summary statements from a recent email, for the record:
I followed up on a couple of recent mailings from UUA staff, inquiring whether theirs were paid or volunteer positions and also how many paid staff positions there were in their respective "offices" (I'm sure that they don't really have a suite of luxury offices somewhere, but are mostly working from humble physical settings at home!) Both responded that they were holding paid positions. One said she didn't know how many other positions in her "department" or "office" were paid, another said that hers was the only permanent paid position though the office also makes seasonal part-time hires. I thanked both for their prompt replies. My concerns about what a burgeoning national staff means for the power and autonomy of local congregations have only increased.
From what I have heard, the UUA Board is turning for guidance to a paper by the Rev. Frederic Muir, who has identified three "problems" in our historic UU approach:
· First, we are being held back and stymied by a persistent, pervasive, disturbing, and disruptive commitment to individualism that misguides our ability to engage the changing times;
· Second, we cling to a Unitarian Universalist exceptionalism that is often insulting to others and undermines our good news;
· Third, we refuse to acknowledge and treat our allergy to authority and power, though all the symptoms compromise a healthy future.
So we must give up 1) individualism, 2) a sense that our congregation and others like it have something special and unique to offer, 3) and begin to accept guidance and control by a central authority structure--namely, the ever-growing UUA administration (with the help of ministers who agree to serve that administration loyally).
The Board is also drawing from a 2015 task force proposal to make congregational membership contingent on ideological standards imposed by the UUA, membership that could then be renewed or revoked at the administration's discretion:
“imagining a future for our association in which congregations were not merely members of an organization, but related to the whole dynamically and organically: through covenants, that could be renewed periodically.”
This would require changing our most fundamental--even defining--organizational by-law, in effect for decades:
“The primary purpose of the Association is to serve the needs of its member congregations”
This would be the end of congregational polity, the form of church governance that has defined congregations like ours since the 17th century. I, for one, am unwilling to buy into such a program and plan to stick with my "disturbing and disruptive commitment to individualism"!
_______________________
I was encouraged by UU congregation members to attend seminary. I was ordained by the congregation that I had served as an intern minister on that congregation’s authority—only the second time they had bestowed such an honor. I have answered the call to serve congregations faithfully for many years—their call, since it is only theirs to make. I do not serve the UUA or at the pleasure of any central organization, although that organization confirmed my qualifications to serve in parish ministry. Our congregations can endure without the UUA. The UUA cannot endure without the congregations and it’s high time they were reminded of this fact!
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE NOTES
Everything followed a fairly normal routine for January with Craig providing inspiring and thought provoking sermons and the Worship Committee engaged three very talented Social Justice and Community Building activist (Tawna Sanchez, Matt Meyer and Hershawna Turner ). That insured that our attendance stayed strong reaching a high of 74 on 1/24 for Matt Meyer's presentation. Our average attendance runs between 40-50 entering our Zoom service.
Lilac Meadows has become a steady Social Justice project under the organizing skills of Linda B. with support from Tom P. and Larry Burt. The congregation has really rallied in support of this facility.
Diane Ingle coordinated the purchase of a baby carrier for Ari's new little Celia born Jan. 6th. I believe Chandra and probably others helped make this event happen. Ari's pictures with Celia in the carrier were priceless.
Dr. Teresa Goodell might be a prospect for membership and Mary Pleier filled out the visitor form saying she wants to rejoin the church. I invited her along with four others + Craig to our Path to Membership class which we held 1/31/21. Beside Craig and I, the only person attending was David Sprowls. David had attended a PTM class earlier but was still uncertain about joining as he was working thru personal and health issues. Craig and I both gave him ideas to help him move forward and left the door open for him when he is ready.
I got a call from Barbara D. reporting that Jim Menard had fallen and hurt his back. I believe he has help with him but the healing process may take some time. I'll check in with him this week.
Chalice Circle and Friday Coffee Hour are healthy and going strong.