We are nine months into our first year of Developmental Ministry with Rev. Tim. It has been an impressively productive nine months! Our whole congregation has worked together to be a healthy community operating with sound governance toward a united mission. Our Developmental Minister, Rev Tim, has provided wise guidance while listening extensively to our many committees and congregants. We are grateful that he has agreed to be with us for another year and we hope he will stay for many more.
Developmental Ministry is a time between having Settled (or Called) Ministers. In these in-between years, UU Congregations often first have an interim year or years (which we did when Rev. Linda was our interim lead minister) and then Developmental Ministry years which can last as long as the congregation needs it, often 4 to 7 years.
In our Developmental Ministry years, UUCville is working on four Developmental Goals which we identified in 2021. These goals can be found on our website at https://uucharlottesville.org/about-us/developmental-ministry-goals/
In recent months, we have focused our efforts on Goal 1, Defining a Broad Shared Vision of our Purpose and Goal 3, Strengthening our Stewardship Ministry.
Our Goal 3 Stewardship Steering Committee has been doing impressive work in examining our long range stewardship planning. Our Treasurer, Kay Frazier, and our finance committee have been working hard thinking about all our needs, developing a draft budget and supporting our Pledge Drive. What an impressive Pledge Drive! Many thanks to Bob Brett and Hayley Owens for chairing our drive and to our many volunteers who donated many hours of their time to make this drive successful and support the important work of our congregation!
Current Pledge Total $500,221 as of 4/23/23!
Our Goal 1 Mission Task Force hosted 17 Cottage Conversations in which over 120 people participated. The Task Force has studied the transcripts from all 17 conversations and talked extensively about how to summarize everyone’s love and dreams for UUCville in a mission and vision statement. Draft statements will be presented to the congregation on April 30 after the service. Please see Chris Little’s summary of the conversation transcripts included in the Board Minutes for the April Board Meeting https://uucharlottesville.org/board-of-trustees/
As the Mission Task Force discusses the cottage conversations and how we might bring together all the many ideas in a mission and vision statement, it is fascinating and heartening to hear how we all hold similar visions (though of course in many different words and formats – we are UUs after all!). We all talk about the importance of community, love, open-minded inquiry, spiritual, emotional, and intellectual growth, social and environmental justice, caring for one another, engagement in the larger community, nurturing our children and youth, valuing diversity of thought, being a welcoming sanctuary for all people and expressing our love in action.
It is inspiring to be a part of a community where people open their hearts and speak about love and dreams with such vulnerability and wisdom. I believe that as we unite in a broad shared purpose, we will be an even more powerful force in the world. We have an important message for the world.
I also want to highlight how much fun we have been having. Rev Tim and Rev Leia have organized such meaningful (and sometimes humorous!) services. It is great to have the children with us and to hear their voices in the first parts of the services! The music offerings have been terrific! The after service gatherings have been a wonderful opportunity to be together for more personal sharing (and wonderful snacks and lunches). The Easter festivities were so creative and fun! The 80th birthday party of our congregation was joyous! I look forward to many more meaningful and fun times together. We might be the church of open minds, helping hands, loving hearts and fun!
Submitted by, Pam McIntire, President
