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!
The Board and the Finance Committee will be hosting two Town Hall Sessions to provide the congregation with an overview of our transitional ministry options and related FY25 budget implications, and to begin to collect your feedback as to our future priorities. These Town Hall sessions are aligned with the Pledge Campaign Kickoff and will provide important context as you consider your pledge level for the next fiscal year.
March 3rd, in person in the Sanctuary, after second service
Monday, March 4th at 7PM via Zoom
The Board of Trustees encourages everyone to read the March Town Hall Preread prior to the sessions on March 3th and 4th.
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.
We are saddened to share the news that our beloved minister, Reverend Steven, died Monday evening in the hospital following an unrelated complication, after surgery. We know this is shocking news and we are all processing it and holding each other in love and care as we face this time of difficulty and uncertainty. Please take a few moments to care for yourself as you receive this news.
We have scheduled a time for members and friends to come together on Friday night at 7PM in the sanctuary for anyone who wants to be in community as we hold each other in love and grief. Music for gathering will begin at 6:45pm.
We know that news like this takes a long time to feel real. We currently have plans for ministerial coverage for the short term, but also know that your staff, Board, and ministry teams are in alignment and will be ready for the next steps when that time comes. What we do know for sure is that we are a strong and resilient community that has made it through tough times in the past.
We love you.
There is a love holding us. There is a love holding all that we love. There is a love holding all. We rest in this love.
If you are feeling the need to talk with someone for some personal pastoral care, please reach out to the church office, 330-673-4247 or [email protected] and we’ll connect you with someone.
In peace and love, Kara Kramer, Board Moderator MaryBeth, Colleen, and Emily, UUCK Staff Rev. Renee and Rev. Christie, UUCK Affliated Community Ministers
Starting on February 4, 2024 we will be piloting a new Sunday morning schedule and format that includes a return to two services, but with different formats meeting different needs.
Our “traditional” hour-long worship service format, with readings, hymns, special music, and a sermon/homily will be offered at 11:00am (late sleepers, rejoice!).
We are adding an “all ages” 45-minute service starting at 9:15am, followed at 10:00 am by a 45-minute “all ages” time for religious exploration, with children and youth in age-appropriate classes, and adults in facilitated small discussion groups in Hobbs Hall (with coffee/tea). Occasionally, we will offer opportunities for multi-generational activities during this time.
At 10:00am, we will also have our “Community Café” in Hobbs Hall, a time to meet and greet others and with other opportunities for connection.
Our nursery will be staffed during the all ages religious exploration (10:00-10:45am in the Hobbs Hall building) and the during the traditional service (11:00am-12:00pm in the church building). The nursery room in the church building will also be open during the all ages service for parents/guardians who need a quieter spot during the all ages service.
What Is The Difference Between The Two Services?
The 9:15am “all ages” service might be described as both “scruffy and wiggly.” We welcome babies and anyone who is neuro-divergent. It is shorter, followed by an opportunity for discussion and reflection. The “all ages” service is only offered in person — there is no Zoom option. It provides many opportunities for lay involvement (in leading service elements as worship host or offering a short lay reflection), several consistent ritual elements, and music that leans toward participation rather than performance. We hope that, over time, those who worship with us regularly at the early service will have a repertoire of songs, poems, and prayers that they can access “in their pocket” from memory when needed in daily life.
The 11:00am service is “multi-platform,” i.e. there is a Zoom option. It includes more varied elements, including readings and a sermon or homily. It also includes offerings from our robust music ministry, including choral pieces, special musical guests, small group ensembles, and performances by our tone chime choir.
Tell Me More About All Ages Religious Exploration
We have been using a monthly “theme-based” ministry model for worship and religious exploration for our children and youth for several years using the Soul Matters curriculum. As part of this transition to two services and adding a Sunday morning option for adults, we will be leaning more deeply into our monthly themes:
Our children and youth have already been using the Soul Matters themes and their teachers will continue to use materials and activities to compliment the monthly theme.
Adults
Religious exploration is an important part of our ministry, which often happens in small-group theological and ethical discussions on our monthly themes It is a wonderful opportunity for our members and friends to have deep, pragmatic conversations about how we can live into our Unitarian Universalist values. Trained facilitators help keep the group focused and the sharing equitable. Learn more…