May 19, 2024 — 12:00 PM in the Sanctuary

Attention ALL Members and Friends

Everyone is welcome to attend the meeting however only Active Members (as defined by our Church Bylaws) are eligible to vote on church matters (see below).

Members, your attendance is important as a quorum will be required for voting matters. Need an absentee ballot?  Contact [email protected].

The Information Meeting will be held Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 12:00 PM in the Sanctuary.

CLICK HERE to view or download the FY2024 Annual Report.

Voter Eligibility (as per our Church Bylaws):

ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP AND MEETINGS

This Church is a welcoming and inclusive community. Membership is open to all who are in sympathy with the Principles and Purposes of the Unitarian Universalist Association and the Church Mission and Vision and who live in alignment with the Church Covenant.

A. ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP

1. Definition. An Active Member is a person who:
   • Is at least fourteen years of age
   • Has signed a declaration to become a member in the presence of the Minister, a member of the Board of Trustees, or a member of the Membership Committee. The date of the declaration is the official date of beginning Active Membership.
   • Has made an identifiable financial contribution in support of the most recently completed fiscal year.
     • New Members must have made an identifiable financial contribution in the current fiscal year.
   • Is actively involved in the Church
   • May withdraw membership by notifying the Minister or Membership Committee
2. Rights. An Active Member may:
   • Vote on Church matters four weeks after becoming an Active Member

C. MEETINGS OF THE MEMBERSHIP

6. VOTING OF THE ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP

• Only eligible Active Members may vote by attendance at a meeting or by submitting Absentee Ballots.
  • A list of eligible voters will be made available

Thank you to all those who attended the Town Hall sessions on March 3 and 4, for asking some great questions, and for providing fantastic input as we think about our next steps as a congregation. If you were unable to attend either session, contact the church office to request a link to view the recording.

Following up, we need your input in order to make the best decision about our next steps.

TRANSITIONAL MINISTRY FEEDBACK FORM – The feedback form is at https://tinyurl.com/bddvya5v, and will be open until March 18. It includes the following sections:

• Ministerial Attributes – These are the attributes upon which we evaluate both our congregation and our ministers. All of them are important, but we would like your input on which are highest priority as we look towards our next phase in ministry. We ask that you rank them accordingly.
• Transitional Ministry Preference – Please indicate your perspective on each potential ministry type, and also rank by preference.
• Open-ended Feedback on Budget and Transitional Ministry – Please share as much or as little perspective here as you deem important.

ANNUAL GENEROSITY CAMPAIGN – Please submit your Annual Generosity Campaign pledge cards as soon as possible so we know what our budget parameters will be for the next fiscal year. The campaign closes on March 23, but we would be incredibly grateful if you were able to submit by March 20.

We are grateful for a community of engaged, thoughtful members and friends, and look forward to continuing to build a bright future together!

Kara Kramer
UUCK Board Moderator

During this time of transition, it may be helpful for folks to know who our official leaders are, and what areas they cover.

We have a Board of Trustees, led by Moderator Kara Kramer. The board members are our elected leaders and have been given the authority by us to make decisions about the future (with opportunities for members to give input).

We also have a Ministry Executive Team (MET) which includes our Administrator MaryBeth Hannan, our volunteer treasurer Lois Weir, and two other former board members, Diana D. Watt and Kathie Slater. The MET oversees our day-to-day operations and collaborates with our ministry teams.

Our Committee on Shared Ministry, led by Commissioned Lay Minister Lori Mirkin-McGee, helps us to live into our covenant by practicing faithful communication and gentleness with one another.

Our Worship Arts team plans the 11:00am traditional service and is led by Commissioned Lay Minister Kathy Kerns. Our Director of Religious Exploration Colleen Haines Thoele oversees the 9:15 all ages service and Sunday morning religious exploration, with assistance from Affiliated Community Minister Rev. Renée Ruchotzke.

Our parish minister serves as a member of all of the above leadership groups and provides a lot of the communication/coordination. In times when we don’t have a minister, the various groups make adjustments so that communication is maintained. Please give them all extra grace during the next several weeks as they make those adjustments.

Rev. Christie Anderson and Rev. Renée Ruchotzke are affiliated community ministers, and fill in as volunteers in partnership with–and are accountable to–the above leaders.