Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Pottstown

“There are years that ask questions and years that answer.” ~ Zora Neale Hurston

While 2020 has certainly been a year that has asked a lot from each of us, the year did not seem very forthcoming with any answers. We, as individuals, had to rely on ourselves and find our own answers to identify the path forward to move through this strange and unusual year. This is also the case for the UUFP. There is no guidebook or map that shows us how to move forward to maintain and sustain our UUFP community. We’ve had to rely on ourselves and the Board to make the best decisions for the larger group. In fact, that was the reason a questionnaire was sent out last month, looking for input and interest in re-opening the fellowship for in-person services. The results from the survey are as follows:

• 27 people completed the survey (Thank you!)

• While it was split with regards to the percentage of people who wanted to attend socially distanced events and those who did not, the comments made it quite clear, that the majority of respondents felt that now was not the time to have indoor services/events. However, respondents felt quite comfortable with outdoor events.

• 96% of the respondents would commit to wearing a mask, keeping a 6-foot social distance from others and submitting an RSVP for a service/event, if asked.

• 70% of the people with children who responded stated that they would still attend if we did not have RE or Nursery services, however the comments made it quite clear that they would like to have their children be able to be outside.

As I write this column in mid-November, the cases of Covid-19 continue to escalate (in fact, it no longer looks like a curve – just a straight line upward). While there has been very promising news regarding vaccines, it will still be a while before the general population will have access to them. With all of this data in mind, the Board of the UUFP has decided that we will not consider re-opening the fellowship for in-person services any time sooner than Spring 2021. I know that this is a disappointment for many, however the Board feels that the health and safety of the friends and members of the fellowship take priority.

But there is good news!! We have almost completed the set up for us to live-stream our Sunday services. We will no longer be dependent on Zoom. Live streaming will enable us to have a lay leader at the fellowship (won’t it be nice to see our beautiful sanctuary again) and have a speaker—well—just about anywhere. And at such time that we are having in-person services again, we can still live-stream to those who may choose to watch it from home. It is very exciting, and we hope to have this up and running by the New Year. Many thanks to Rick Duske for his technical expertise, as well as Jon Price and Kris Barnthouse for assisting with the set-up.

And, there is more good news! The “Raise the UUFP Roof ” campaign that was started to help to defray some of the cost of the roof repair has raised $4,150. Thank you to all who have donated. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. We are still accepting donations, so if you would like to contribute, you can either send a check to the fellowship or donate on-line on our website. And, so, the leak in the roof has been repaired!

I will close with another heartfelt thank you to Kay and Jon Price for setting up and managing two bonfires. The turn-out was excellent and everyone had a great time. Stay tuned for more outside events. With this in mind, I will leave you with words from an individual who lived most of their life in Sweden: “There is no such thing as too cold; you’re just underdressed.”

Wishing you all health and happiness for the holiday season, Linda K.

“Expect the unexpected.” ~ Bear Bryant

This is the column that I was hoping I would not have to write. This is the column where I need to explain to the members and friends of the UUFP that expenses are starting to put a significant strain on our fellowship’s finances. The strain is due to numerous reasons.

First – Income is significantly down due to decreased pledges and donations. This is to be expected as many people’s financial situations have changed due to the pandemic. Please know that this statement is not meant to be a judgment on people who have not been able to financially support the fellowship. The statement is simply meant to point out the reality of our budget.

Second – A portion of the roof of the fellowship is leaking and needs to be replaced. Multiple bids were obtained, with Jon Price’s oversight. The best bid has a price tag of over $12,000 to do the necessary repairs. The contractor has stated that the work could be done in two phases, with the first phase focusing on the immediate leak and surrounding area. That would reduce the initial outlay to $6,000. However, the second phase will still need to be completed (and paid for).

Third – The pandemic has forced us to reconsider how to deliver Sunday services in an inclusive manner to all the members and friends of the UUFP. Even after we open our doors again to those who want to attend in person, we will still offer virtual services via technology for those who cannot or may not feel safe to attend in person. Enabling this capability will require upgrades to our current systems. Rick Duske has done an outstanding job in determining the minimum requirements necessary to ensure a positive service attendee experience. These upgrades and additional equipment will cost approximately $5,000.

An initial outlay of $11,000 will be required to move forward with these two expenses. The good news is that we do have enough money in our savings to pay for this, although these expenses will deplete our savings significantly. Many of you might be asking that while you understand the urgency in fixing the roof, why the urgency in upgrading technology? Actually, the urgency for both is the same. Both expenses fix an immediate need (no puddles inside the building and the ability to deliver Sunday Services now) and both expenses are an investment in the future of the UUFP.

At some point in the near future, phase two of the roof repair will need to be completed. To that end, the board has decided to initiate a “Raise the Roof” fund to pay for it. If anyone reading this is in a financial situation where you can make a donation to this fund, please consider doing so. You can donate with a check (make the check out to “UUFP” and put “Raise the Roof Fund” in the note section of the check) or donate online (go to the UUFP website, click Donate, and make sure that you designate the money for the “Raise the Roof” fund). If you have any further questions regarding how to donate, please reach out to a board member.

In closing, with Thanksgiving fast approaching, I want to give thanks to all of you who have donated including donating your time and energy (Fall clean-up was a success!!)

In Gratitude, Linda

“The fellowship is not just a set of doors open on Sunday morning, but the commitment day after day, and moment after moment, of our hearts creaking open the doors of welcome to the possibility of new experience and radical welcome.”
-Excerpt: Rev. Margaret Weis – The Church Has Left the Building

It’s hard to believe that it has been seven months since we, as a fellowship, have stepped inside our building. Yet, as Rev. Margaret Weis points out in her work, “The Church (or in our case, Fellowship) Has Left the Building”, our fellowship continues to exist outside of the walls of the building. This occurs through the commitment of the people that make up the fellowship. So, this month I would like to take the opportunity to thank some people who have demonstrated a very high level of commitment over the past
seven months to ensure that our fellowship continues to exist and run smoothly.
John Price: For keeping our building running and our grounds neat and tidy so it will be ready for us when we can return.
Erica Duske and Kay Price (our communications team): For continuing to work on and distribute the Sojourner as well as sending out reminder communications regarding upcoming events.
Linda Pallay, our treasurer: For providing continued oversight of our finances as well as enabling electronic payments for pledges and donations.
Miranda Van Horn: For continuing to look for creative ways to create connection within the fellowship (like her Friday Night Book Club).
Rick Duske: For his ongoing work in upgrading and managing our technology platform.
The Board of the UUFP: For their continued dedication (and
patience) in attending monthly board meetings as well as ad hoc
meetings via ZOOM to determine how we will move forward in
this brave new world.
Our Donors: For continuing to provide financial support that keeps our infrastructure sound and enables us to invest in the future.
The mission statement for the UUFP is “Nurturing Spiritual Journeys, Embracing Diversity, Celebrating Community, Turning Values into Action”. The good news is that demonstrating a commitment to our Mission, does not require meeting in-person. And while there will
be a time when we can meet together again in our building, my final thank you is to all of the people who continue to demonstrate commitment to the UUFP. You are what make this a fellowship. I am grateful for you all.

“For the church is us—each and every one of us—together,
a beacon of hope to this world that so sorely needs it .”
~ Excerpt: Rev. Margaret Weis – The Church Has Left the Building
Please come join us on-line for Sunday services (check our website for details). Linda K