Congregation History

2023

Rev. Tim Temerson contract renewed as Developmental Minister (8/2023).
The congregation passes a new mission statement 6/4/23 at the Congregational Meeting.
Congregation members raise $5,000 to replace the Rugby Road sign. The sign was installed on March 9, 2003.
The pledge drive surpasses the $500,000 goal (April 2023).
UUCville Building Use Task Force recommends a mask-optional policy throughout the church building and in Summit House due to low COVID infection levels in our area.

2022

Rev. Tim Temerson hired as Developmental Minister (starts August 2022)
Congregation Honors Rev. Dr. Linda Olson Peebles on her Retirement (6/12/22)
The June 5, 2022 multiplatform congregational meeting (Zoom and in-person) was a huge challenge, but it was successfully met because so many people pitched in their help.
Sanctuary reopens for in-person Sunday Services on March 20, 2022. Dual-platform services (Zoom & in-person) are available.

2021

Goodbye Reception for Rev. Alex McGee (9/12/2021)
Rev. Alex McGee gives her last Sermon to Congregation “Looking Upstream, Looking Downstream: So We Go” (8/29/21)
Congregation amends Bylaws to reflect new name (June 27th)
The congregation chooses the name Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Charlottesville at June 6, 2021 Congregational Meeting.
Interim Lead Minister Rev. Linda Olson Peebles agreed to extend her contract for another year.
Rev. Alex McGee takes Sabbatical (Jan-May 2021)

2020

Leia Durland-Jones ordained as Reverend and becomes the Minister of Faith Development (October 18th)
Congregation votes to change the name from TJMC-UU (September 27th)
Congregation votes to ordain Leia Durland-Jones (August 23rd)
Interim Minister Rev. Dr. Linda Olson Peebles hired. (August 1st)
COVID-19 Pandemic suspends in-person services (March 16th)

2008-2019

2001-2008

Called David Takahashi Morris (2001)
Membership grew from 348 to 450
Covenant Group ministry established (2002)
KaeRenae Mitchell Parker, Music Director (2002-2010)
With UU Church of Richmond, ordained Leslie Takahashi Morris (February 27, 2005)
Called David and Leslie Takahashi Morris as co-ministers (2005)
UUA certified Welcoming Congregation (2005)
Social Action outreach becomes central to church community PACEM & IMPACT (2006)
Public Witness process: Banner “This Church Supports Marriage Rights” placed on the front of the church building
Beginning of Environmental Action/Green Sanctuary, JUUST Change (anti-racism), Peace Conversations etc.
Change to Large church model-change in governance structure with 5 councils plus Board (2007)
Increasing number of programs creates space issues
RE classes so large that classroom spaces are inadequate
Sunday 2nd worship service crowded

2000

1984-2000

Wayne Arnason called as minister
Diane Ober serves as Director of Religious Education (1985-1989)
Andy Woods starts Soup Kitchen (1987)
Church size results in change to Program Church model
Governance structure: Board plus Councils: Administrative & Program councils, & eventually separate Social Action Council
Wayne Arnason active in local Coalition for Racial Justice
Social Action Committee disintegrated, later reforms
Introduction of Worship Associates (1988)
Partner Church association with Romanian Unitarian Church
Steady growth in membership and religious education participation
Kathy Mitchell Parker Music Directory (19??-1996)
Sally Taylor became the Director of Religious Education (1989)
First attempts at becoming a Welcoming Congregation
Leia Durland hired as Director of Religious Education (1992)
UUA Loan for purchase of Hogshire property (Summit House) (1992)
Judy Wells, Ministerial Intern
Capital Campaign to raise money for construction of Social Hall and new church offices, $430,000 raised (1993)
Social Hall completed (October 1994)
Two full Sunday Morning Worship Services (1995)
RE classes move to Summit House (1994)
Increasing membership and R.E. participation, all church programs growing
Scott Williamson, Choir Director (1997-1999)
Ed Piper, Ministerial Intern (1997)
Pastoral Associate program active
Todd Stickland, Ministerial Intern (1997)
Burke Morton, Music Director (1999-2002)
Wayne Arnason resigns as minister (2000)

1983

1980-1982

1976-1979

1963- early 1970s

Called Walter Royal Jones as minister
School desegregation and open housing are important Charlottesville issues and racial issues divide church
Sale of Duschak property willed to church on “open market”
Unitarian Cooperative Preschool founded as first integrated preschool
Involvement of church members in movement to integrate public swimming pools
Roy Jones involved with desegregation movement
Church struggling financially
Roy Jones left and Interim minister Rudolph Gilbert took over (1972)
Called Curtis Crawford (1973)
Started Memorial Planning Society of the Piedmont
Hired first professional Religious Education director, Norma Velimirovic
Congregation fired Curtis Crawford (1974-1975)
Many left the church
Church finances in crisis, no interim minister hired, church without a minister for two years
Borrowed more money to repair buildings