April Update

Debby Bower, Project Management Posse

Welcome to the messy middle of the JUC Making Room deliberations! It's a place of questions and ponderings, angst and hopes. And it's exactly where we should be as we approach our Special Congregational Meeting, Sunday, April 15 to consider pursuing a larger church home in the area. Such a home would be a base from which we can truly live into our mission, nourish our spirits, welcome new members, visitors, and partners, and serve as both a convener of social justice and beacon of Unitarian Universalism.

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We as the congregation hold the power here. If we vote yes on April 15 it would mean that we authorize the Board to find a stellar and financially viable location within our Jefferson County search area to recommend to us. After reflection and discussion, we would then convene at a future congregational meeting to vote on its purchase. In simple terms, this April 15 vote asks, "Shall we explore options?" The future second vote will ask, "Do we want to move to this specific place within this specific financial framework?"
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We currently have a delightful and profound challenge: our sheer numbers and programmatic vibrance far surpass the functionality of our beloved, beautiful campus. The Board set an ambitious goal last fall to develop a plan to navigate this dilemma by May 1, and the past half year has been a flurry of exploration and communication. In February, our 'Project Management Posse' of Chris Sealy, Dea Brayden, and I came on board to help coordinate the ongoing Making Room efforts. Check out the Making Room website for more details, context, and perspectives on the process.

We are now in this vital time of discernment about who we want to be in the world. How do we as JUC move forward in a way that preserves our nourishing community while growing our impact? How do we ensure that our current programs thrive? How do we make way for the blessings of future members and partners? What might we achieve if we could put all our energy into providing services, enhancing programs, and working actively with partners on key priorities instead of constantly having to juggle schedules and logistics to fit 10 pounds of JUC-ness into a 5-pound bag?

It is a vibrant time in our church life. Please take part in this crucial conversation, check the Making Room website regularly for the latest information and to share your insights, and attend the Special Congregational Meeting to vote on Sunday, April 15 at 12:30 p.m. We need 130 people to make quorum so please plan to attend. For those unable to take part in person, absentee ballots are available for download online or pick-up at the church and are due back to the JUC office by mail or drop-off on Thursday, April 12 by 4 p.m.
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JUC in 2018 is bolstered by staggering blessings - nourishing worship and meaningful programs for members of all ages, skilled and loving ministers and staff, superb financial management, service to transform the world beyond our walls, a growing membership, and a strong sense of community. Let's Make Room together for a vibrant future!