Artist’s Statement:

A Free and Responsible Search

The pieces here are drawn from four bodies of work: landscape batiks, abstract birds, sun and moon faces, and poetry pieces. Together, they share free and loose processes of creating that relinquish some control over the outcomes and allow for play.

Each type of artwork embodies the practice of surrender in its own way. Hot wax is used to create the batiks, and its flowing, free-spirited nature yields fluid and unpredictable results. The birds begin with a continuous blind contour line drawing, a method that involves closing one’s eyes and drawing without lifting the pencil. The suns and moons are made rapidly and evolve without preconceived images of the final products. And finally, the poem pieces are built upon phrases that arise from free-flowing thought. Even the breadth of the show itself, drawn from multiple series of works, is a move toward greater freedom and less convention.

Highly rendered, more realistic artwork deserves its place in the world and is satisfying to create; I know this from my own experience. But as I’ve developed as an artist and a person, I’ve embraced a less rigid and more curious approach to creating and living. These works reflect that part of me. I have found that this way, making art acts as a practice toward surrender to life itself. I aspire to spend my entire life growing, living freely, loving bravely, and learning to be comfortable with the unknown. I hope that these pieces inspire a loosening, playfulness, and curiosity in you, too.

-Andy Krebs

The church office will be closed over the holidays as staff take a break.  Rev. Kristina and Emily will be on break 12/25 – 1/5.  Colleen will be away 12/25 – 1/7 and MaryBeth will be away 12/23 – 1/5.  In the event of an emergency, Rev. Kristina and MaryBeth can be reached by phone. 

Work will begin on the FY27 Budget in January.  There’s a lot going on in December, but please take five and consider what kind of budget your Team or Committee needs for next year.  Please send your request to [email protected].

In order to have your request considered, we need to hear from you!

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent is proud to present two Holiday Concerts featuring the Celtic Clan and Tarnished Brass.  

Celtic Clan Seasonal SingAlong
Sunday, December 14 at 2pm
Suggested Donation – $15

Enjoy a singalong with the Celtic Clan of Kent. Join us in singing sacred and secular songs of the season. We’ll take a break for delicious hot chocolate and Christmas cookies.

Tarnished Brass Christmas Concert
Sunday, December 21 at 3pm
Suggested Donation – $20

Enjoy an afternoon of jazzy and classic Christmas tunes with Christmas cookies and refreshments at intermission. Special guests – Tone Chimers & Choir 

Concerts will be held in the sanctuary. Donations will be taken at the door for attendees who did not purchase tickets during the auction. Questions?  Email [email protected]

Safety Team Re-charge and Recruiting.

The UUCK needs your help in planning and implementing safety measures for our congregation.  Living our Unitarian Universalist values means we need to ensure the safety of every person who participates in the life and work of the congregation, including all who attend events and activities on the church campus.  Our revitalized UUCK Safety Team will be responsible for protecting the church campus, occupants, and grounds from sources of physical hazard and danger from both internal and external forces.  

Those interested will be joining Rev. Kristina; Colleen Thoele, Director of Religious Education;  Kathie Slater (MET Liaison); and Jennifer Gregg, Building & Grounds Coordinator, in carrying out the SAFETY TEAM CHARGE.  This draft “Charge”, while created in 2023, still concisely describes the focus of the Safety Team’s responsibilities.  

As a now-retired symbol of safety, Smokey the Bear, famously almost said:  “WE NEED YOU” to help develop policies, recommendations, procedures and plans for safety and security during emergencies.  Please help us be prepared!

If interested, please speak to any members of the Safety Team listed above, or contact the MET at [email protected]

Ryan Susman has had to step down from the Treasurer position due to his family and work responsibilities. The church is deeply appreciative of Ryan’s service to our community for the last 14 months.

Our Board of Trustees has appointed Dave Watt to fill the Treasurer’s position for the remainder of the term through June 2027. Many thanks go to Dave for accepting this appointment and deepening his service to our church community.

Dave can be contacted at [email protected] for any financial/treasurer questions.

Everyone loves acronyms.  Not everyone knows what they mean!  The MET at the UU Church of Kent is an abbreviation for the Ministry Executive Team.  Our By-Laws describe the MET’s function as follows:

•  The Ministry Executive Team (MET) shall devote the majority of its attention to the day-to-day management and administration of the Church’s ministries

Current members of the MET:

• Minister (Rev. Kristina Church)
• Church Treasurer (incoming, David Watt, Board appointed, filling Ryan Susman’s term through June 2027)
• Congregational Administrator (MaryBeth Hannan)
• Elected Member at Large (Kathie Slater, through June 2026)
• Former Board Member-Board appointed, (Diana Watt, through June, 2026)
• Board of Trustees Liaison to MET-ex-officio (Kat Holtz, through August 2026)

The MET meets twice a month, once in person in the Church Annex, and once via Zoom. Sometimes, business is handled via email, if needed for time-sensitive matters.

What kind of issues and items does the MET handle?  

• In general terms, the MET supports the mission, vision and covenant of the church through COLLABORATION with many groups, teams and individuals. We keep an overview of the various day-to-day activities of the church, which include program areas; communications processes; and working with Team Coordinators on projects by sharing known resources available and appropriate church policies.
• On the fiscal side of things, the Finance Committee in COLLABORATION with the MET, drafts an annual budget proposal based on the Board’s “vision-based” fiscal year priorities, and ensures an operating budget campaign occurs yearly (Stewardship / Generosity) – but not necessarily by the MET, unless there are no volunteers. On that note – Please consider volunteering for the Stewardship Team for 2025-2026!  Additionally, the MET approves necessary unbudgeted expenses which are under an annual total of one percent of the current fiscal year budget.

OK, but what does that mean?  What are some examples?

• Collaborating with the Building & Grounds Team and Coordinator on securing snow plow contracts, lawn care, Fessenden Hall kitchen refurbishment, work on concrete front steps, elevator repair, etc. are just a few recent examples.
• On the revenue side, for events expected to raise over $500, the MET reviews any fundraising proposals submitted by congregants to make sure they align with the church’s mission & policies, fit into the church calendar, and have outlined a clear plan, goal, time-line and necessary resources.
• Reviewing rental activities on church campus

Now you’ve been introduced to the MET!  In future Newsletter updates, we’ll talk about current and agenda items in the recent past, so you have a better idea of the MET’s function!

Have any questions? Contact the MET at [email protected]  

Thank you for reading, and stay tuned!!