UU Fellowship of Columbus President’s
Fall Greetings UUs:
Our 5th Principle
Get ready to vote. Our 5th principle reminds us of the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process. Your vote matters!
To Everything There Is a Season
Fall is here with the cooler weather and changing of leaves, a welcome change of seasons. The threat of covid-19 has not changed, however, so we need to continue with our masks, hand washing, and social distancing. The medical experts are also encouraging us to get flu shots. Our UU Board has considered some opportunities for the congregation to connect this season.
Outdoor Services
Our Fellowship’s Board of Trustees met on September 23 and voted to have an outdoor service on the Heiferhorn side of the parking area on Sunday, October 4 at 11:00 a.m. Rick Spradlin will be the speaker. The plastic chairs that we have used in the Meditation Garden gatherings will be used and socially distanced. Wearing of masks is required for all, except the speakers. Restrooms in the Meeting House and Grace Fellowship Hall will be open, and hand sanitizer will be available. Outside the building and in the restrooms, it is essential to maintain social distancing and keep masks on so that nose and mouth are covered. No cups or drinks will be provided, so please bring your own water if you anticipate needing it during the Service. These are strange times, and social norms have shifted from our innate gregariousness to keeping distance to ensure safety of all. For us to gather in a group, we must think of safety first. For those not attending, Bill Harlan and his production crew (David Rush, Kenny Gray and Whittaker Locke) will be producing a YouTube version of the service which may be watched from home. If this service is successful, we also plan to have another outdoor service on Sunday, October 11 at 11:00 a.m. with Ron Ussery presenting a program on Ralph Waldo Emerson. In the event of inclement weather, the outside Service will be cancelled, but the YouTube will still be available. Brenda Stevens will send an email with the YouTube link.
Be a Reader
Bill Harlan, who manages our programs, has added inspirational readings to the weekly Services. Volunteers are welcome to participate as readers. Readings can be done via Zoom or in person at the Fellowship. Contact Bill at bill.harlan47@gmail.com to become one of our readers.
End of year Fellowship Board of Trustee Elections
Fellowship Board of Trustee elections are right around the corner. According to our Bylaws, approved at the December 2019 annual business meeting, four Board positions will be open for nominations for two-year terms. Current members may run again for those positions, and any other members of the Fellowship may add their names to the nominations for those same positions. Nominees need to know and accept that they are being nominated, or they may self-nominate. The Board determined that the four positions which will have to run for re-election are the Trustee position held by Orm Burnham, Secretary position held by Barbara Owens, Treasurer position held by Ron Ussery, and President position held by Hal Midgette. After the October 21 Board meeting, more information will be provided about when and where to send nominations. The slate of nominees will be compiled by the Board at its monthly meeting in late November. The congregation will be notified of the slate of nominees by email and in December, prior to a virtual annual business meeting, members will be asked to vote by email. The votes will be compiled and the winners announced at the business meeting. Please feel free to direct comments or questions to hallas_midgette@hotmail.com
Congregational Care
Joyce Hickson has diligently enlisted helpers to contact all members and friends. This has been an arduous task, but she and her assistants are making the effort to keep in touch with our congregation. This was an awkward time to try to make contact because of the number of political calls and nefarious calls informing us that our social security number has been compromised, or our Microsoft software has been hacked, or our car’s warranty has expired. But our callers just want to know you are okay.
Fellowship Property Survey
In response to an adjacent lot placing “No Trespassing” signs on their property line, the Board had the Fellowship’s lot surveyed to determine our boundaries. We are a little smaller on this side of the Heiferhorn and are adjusting our forest path accordingly, but have surprisingly more property than we realized on the other side of the Heiferhorn. Ron Ussery and I hammered in 18 inch metal spikes (rebar), painted yellow on top, alongside each of the wooden survey stakes. We are also placing medium size rocks alongside the iron bars. If you’ve wondered where our property line is….now you know.
Parting Words
I wish you all well as we sail in our blue boat home through these dangerous shoals. We are threatened by disease, political fanaticism, and devastating climate disasters, but don’t give up the ship. Keep in our thoughts and prayers those who have suffered or are suffering from covid-19, fires, or floods. We may not always be the masters of our own fates, but we can be the masters of our attitudes. Let’s batten down the hatches and weather this storm together.
In fellowship,
Hal Midgette
President, UUFC