These days, I am even more glad to be a Unitarian Universalist at UUCville than usual (which is saying a lot!). Our services lift my heart and give me hope and it is wonderful to be in the presence of people who are putting love and kindness first. The world desperately needs us and we are here.
We voted on a terrific Mission Statement last June:
The UU Congregation of Charlottesville
builds community through love in action.
Together we cultivate a safe and welcoming place for all.
Together we nurture mind, heart, body, and spirit.
Together we work for equity, justice, and peace for all people and the planet.
Now we are putting together a Long Range Strategic Plan to take a comprehensive look at all we are doing and need to begin doing to bring UUCville and our mission even more powerfully to the world.
The Strategic Plan Task Force has begun the work with looking at how we currently approach each part of the Mission Statement and with designing ways to engage the whole congregation in conversation. The Task Force is asking, “With our unique UU values and our commitment to prioritizing love in relationships, what piece can UUCville bring to healing?” The Task Force wants to hear what actions each of us are so passionate about that we will put the force of our lives into them. What actions are so meaningful to us that we are willing to grow and work to make them come into being?
We will start with a Congregational Conversation Sunday, January 28 after the service in the sanctuary (in person and on Zoom). Then, in future weeks, the Task Force will host small conversations focused on actions for each of the four parts of the Mission Statement.
Cultivating a safe and welcoming place for all
Nurturing mind, heart, body, and spirit
Working for equity, justice, and peace for all people
Working for equity, justice, and peace for the planet
We hope to engage everyone in these conversations: new visitors, long time members, experienced elders and those newly on the planet. Please come and offer your understanding. We need all perspectives and wisdom to make the most powerful plan.
In other news, in addition to everything else we do every week (RE, social action, governance, spiritual practices, sustainability actions and so much more), we are now preparing for the 2024 Pledge Drive. We are finalizing the 2023 budget numbers, contacting all the UUCville groups to find out their needs, and thinking about the coming year. This is a time where we can evaluate how we have financially supported our mission and how we want to support it next year. We have a strong Pledge Drive Committee and we are looking forward to an exciting, fun, and productive effort.
It is good to be a part of UUCville and to be with all of you.
Board President,
Pam McIntire