Report from the Board of Directors

March 2003

Dear Friends,

My guess is that I will never receive a Pulitzer Prize for my prose. In fact at this very moment I am experiencing “writers block” and will need to pause for divine guidance and inspiration.

(20 min later…)At the writing of this letter we have just recently completed the Board Retreat….I will tell you that it was a wonderful experience for myself and I am sure that all of the members of the Board will concur that it was an exercise that had deep meaning and significance. We came together as a team and more importantly, we affirm that this will be a great year for Unity Church of Christianity!

Saying “yes” to service on the Board of Trustees is a commitment that carries the responsibility for proactive involvement and advocacy of the organization. A strong Board is one that understands the mission, vision and core values of the organization and is willing to undertake projects that make sense of it.

I am pleased to report to you that the Board of Trustees “Class of 2003” is ready, willing and completely able to do just that.

Before I go further, I would like to introduce the Board of Trustees “Class of 2003” to you. (I really love these people; you should have been at the retreat; they are so cool!)

• Our Vice President - Jan Goetz (she gets to take over if I get hit by a bus…but I affirm that I will not!)
• Our Treasurer - Mary Schneider ( her nick-name is “The gentle Bean Counter”… I affirm prosperity!)
• Our Secretary - Gail Lewin (Thank goodness we found someone that has mastered the “King’s English”….. I affirm correct spelling!)
• Member - Hugh Holly ( not just your average member…he really pushed me into the office of President…….I affirm continued humor!)
• Member - Ken Williamson (a gentleman and a scholar that we are glad is part of our team…..I affirm adventure!)
• Alternate Member - Catherine Blankson (our own world traveler who brings a world of experience….I affirm wisdom! )
• Alternate Member - Emily Ilg (truly an inspiration to all of us … … I affirm sweet contemplation!)
• Interim Minister - Rev. Marylou Palmer (her job is to whip us into a spiritual frenzy… … I affirm success!)

Please get to know us…let us know you; we are so excited to be serving this year. I would also ask that you hold us all in prayer, that we may listen, contemplate, act, laugh, and enjoy as we undertake the work of proactive involvement and advocacy of this organization…….I affirm that this is done.

So…what will we be doing this year? Our new Mission Statement is “We demonstrate spiritual growth and transformation through inspiration, education, fellowship and service”. The Board has chosen to know that we will accomplish this mission in the following ways:

Inspiration

• Support our Interim Minister in the spiritual life of the church during this interim time.
• Support and work with the Search Team to find a new full-time minister.
• To welcome, help and orient the new minister to our community.
• Support the Worship Team in clarifying its intentions and establishing a Fellowship - Special Events Team.

Education

• To prayerfully consider options and possibilities for meeting the space and teaching needs of our children.
• To support having small group programs for adults in the fall and spring (such as “Finding Yourself in Transition”)

Fellowship

• Support quarterly "Getting to Know Unity" Orientations
• Support our Music Team in fundraising for the Regional Music Conference.

Service

• Hold a Board Retreat for the new Board.
• Explore ways to demonstrate the benefits of tithing where we are spiritually fed.

Sounds like lots to do but the great part is that we will have so much fun this year getting it accomplished….we look forward to doing our part and we look forward to having you share in the fun with us.

God’s Blessings to you and your loved ones.
Doug Wurl, President