Rev. Matthew's August Board Report
September , 2021
Dear BUU Board of Directors,
Have you heard this one?
Dear BUU Board of Directors,
Have you heard this one?
Q: How many UUs does it take to change a light bulb? |
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While there are several meanings embedded in this joke, they all concern the approach to tradition within a UU community. We UUs don't often think about tradition, or if we do we see most clearly as a part of other faiths. Religious tradition no matter the faith concerns the "What" and "How" that makes that faith distinct. Whats and Hows can and do change over time, so the foundation of religious tradition is the "Why." Why do faiths do What and How they do?
Even if we don't often observe it, UUs have strong traditions as an Association and within each individual congregation. BUU is no exception. What we do has changed over time and through circumstance and how we do it has also evolved and adapted, but why we do what we do has remained a constant support and inspiration for us.
So, why is it that BUU does what it does? Gratitude.
Our congregation's structure and programing is based on our Mission: We Care. Our mission is based on our four ministries, Inreach, Outreach, Institutional Stewardship, and Spiritual Nourishment. Our ministries are based on our Gratitude for what our faith community gives each of us.
I am sharing all of this because: September 21st is World Gratitude Day. (I know this because it is on the calendar that Hugh gave me. Thanks, Hugh!)
Even if we don't often observe it, UUs have strong traditions as an Association and within each individual congregation. BUU is no exception. What we do has changed over time and through circumstance and how we do it has also evolved and adapted, but why we do what we do has remained a constant support and inspiration for us.
So, why is it that BUU does what it does? Gratitude.
Our congregation's structure and programing is based on our Mission: We Care. Our mission is based on our four ministries, Inreach, Outreach, Institutional Stewardship, and Spiritual Nourishment. Our ministries are based on our Gratitude for what our faith community gives each of us.
I am sharing all of this because: September 21st is World Gratitude Day. (I know this because it is on the calendar that Hugh gave me. Thanks, Hugh!)
Matching BUU and World Gratitude Day feels like a perfect fit. Here are the many things from this past year and today that I'm grateful for:
- Ongoing faith and trust of our 105-110 Members. Caring beyond belief!
- Generosity of our 67 pledge units (Members and Friends) who have committed $125,128. Astounding!
- Dedication and creativity of our BUU leaders through the pandemic creating 15 programs honoring our risk mitigation limits. That's much more than any few years combined!
- Board leadership that has honored our reality within the pandemic, but has never acted from fear or scarcity. Keeping it real!
- Program Council action for keeping us moving forward even when we had multiple individuals step back from leadership. Deep dedication!
-BUU Members, Friends, and Guests embracing things that we may not have wanted, but that we certainly needed. Thank you!
- Generosity of our 67 pledge units (Members and Friends) who have committed $125,128. Astounding!
- Dedication and creativity of our BUU leaders through the pandemic creating 15 programs honoring our risk mitigation limits. That's much more than any few years combined!
- Board leadership that has honored our reality within the pandemic, but has never acted from fear or scarcity. Keeping it real!
- Program Council action for keeping us moving forward even when we had multiple individuals step back from leadership. Deep dedication!
-BUU Members, Friends, and Guests embracing things that we may not have wanted, but that we certainly needed. Thank you!
The direct poke of the lightbulb joke is that UUs are not welcoming of changes to the What and How of our tradition. It is true, we are a bit inflexible when we get set in our ways. We tend to do things because that's the way that we have done them. What is vital at BUU today is that we have learned to be flexible and adapt our What and How trusting our WHY, our foundation in Gratitude, as our support.
My final gratitude today, then, is for many things that were major learnings and departures for us thus far in the pandemic because we choose never to ever leave behind Why we do What and How we do: Gratitude.
My final gratitude today, then, is for many things that were major learnings and departures for us thus far in the pandemic because we choose never to ever leave behind Why we do What and How we do: Gratitude.
Communication Query
I am pleased to report that in the first two weeks of the online communications poll we had 35 responses. (30 were Members, 4 Friends, and 1 identified as a Guest.) The next step is to send a hard copy of the poll to those Members who didn't respond. There is some confusion to clear up with ICON, our membership database, and once that is complete we will send out those letters. The final step will be phone calls to those Members who do not return their hard copy poll. I am expecting to get at least 60% participation of our membership in the end.
It is too soon to use the 35 responses as an indication of communication trends among us. 30 Members, 27-29%, is much too low a percentage of our Membership to begin to define BUU preferences. Additionally, it is vital to remember that those that chose to reply to our online poll possess an online communication bias to begin with. This is clear in the comparison graph below:
I am pleased to report that in the first two weeks of the online communications poll we had 35 responses. (30 were Members, 4 Friends, and 1 identified as a Guest.) The next step is to send a hard copy of the poll to those Members who didn't respond. There is some confusion to clear up with ICON, our membership database, and once that is complete we will send out those letters. The final step will be phone calls to those Members who do not return their hard copy poll. I am expecting to get at least 60% participation of our membership in the end.
It is too soon to use the 35 responses as an indication of communication trends among us. 30 Members, 27-29%, is much too low a percentage of our Membership to begin to define BUU preferences. Additionally, it is vital to remember that those that chose to reply to our online poll possess an online communication bias to begin with. This is clear in the comparison graph below:
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As you can see, the highest and most robust group responses represent receiving online communications from BUU. Individuals do not have a preference for letters or the Unitel, but the comparison shows that this particular sub-group in BUU prefer the BUUB, congregational wide emails, and Zoom meetings to receive information. This represents an online bias, that I anticipate will shift as others are polled via letter and phone call. While encouraging that nearly 30% of our membership have adapted to our online communications, there is not yet enough data evaluate our communication methods.
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Key to Comparison Graph
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There is, however, one comment shared in the poll that I have heard echoes of in meetings and conversations I have been a part of over the last month:
Mostly because of the pandemic, some basic policies governing BUU have become vague in my mind but this could be a lack of focus on my part. I realize that existing by-laws are the basis for how BUU functions but policies might help make the congregation more cohesive.
I'm grateful this Member shared their concern with me directly. It gives me the opportunity to inform you that there are people who don't know about our governance style, and the importance of our existing policies in addition to our bylaws as the means of helping BUU function. I urge you all to consider how you can better educate our congregation about our institutional structure.
I'm deeply grateful to Nancy for her leadership to make sure that you all know how BUU functions. I'm looking forward to our time with her and Rev. Sarah Gibb-Millspaugh, our Pacific Western Region Congregational Contact. The clearer you are about our governance style, bylaws, policies, procedures, the more you can assist our membership.
My response is the creation of a series of videos concerning our covenantal/institutional structure for October. I'll be putting these up on BUU's webpage and sending out links through the BUUB. Here's my schedule:
I'm deeply grateful to Nancy for her leadership to make sure that you all know how BUU functions. I'm looking forward to our time with her and Rev. Sarah Gibb-Millspaugh, our Pacific Western Region Congregational Contact. The clearer you are about our governance style, bylaws, policies, procedures, the more you can assist our membership.
My response is the creation of a series of videos concerning our covenantal/institutional structure for October. I'll be putting these up on BUU's webpage and sending out links through the BUUB. Here's my schedule:
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October 4, Caring Mission
October 11, 4 C's of Ministry October 18, Working Groups October 25, How UUs Participate |
Multi-medium Worship (Spiritual Nourishment)
With gratitude to our Larry, Ernie, and Kristin (AV Team) and Nancy and Martha (Worship Arts), I can report that our tests for this month have gone well. As you may recall in the timeline of our developing multi-medium worship (CLICK HERE to review it), this month is about set up and capture. With a very low tech approach we have been able to test in-person and virtual participation in worship with enough success to take the next step on the timeline and focus on streaming worship live next month.
While we will need to upgrade our tech we have two means to do so, without requesting additional funds. BUU has received a memorial gift dedicated to AV from Scott Taylor in memory of his father Paul. Additionally, we have access to the portion of the the Baja 4 grant dedicated to technology. If more funding is needed I will work with our AV and Worship Arts teams to put together a proposal.
The question of sustainability is arising for all of us. A multi-medium approach needs AV people in-person and online. Posting a video of the worship requires editing. While we have folks giving generous amounts of time to move us forward, we will need more help keeping things in motion. This is just another kind of limit, like the many others we have already bypassed, and I am certain that we will find creative solutions.
With gratitude to our Larry, Ernie, and Kristin (AV Team) and Nancy and Martha (Worship Arts), I can report that our tests for this month have gone well. As you may recall in the timeline of our developing multi-medium worship (CLICK HERE to review it), this month is about set up and capture. With a very low tech approach we have been able to test in-person and virtual participation in worship with enough success to take the next step on the timeline and focus on streaming worship live next month.
While we will need to upgrade our tech we have two means to do so, without requesting additional funds. BUU has received a memorial gift dedicated to AV from Scott Taylor in memory of his father Paul. Additionally, we have access to the portion of the the Baja 4 grant dedicated to technology. If more funding is needed I will work with our AV and Worship Arts teams to put together a proposal.
The question of sustainability is arising for all of us. A multi-medium approach needs AV people in-person and online. Posting a video of the worship requires editing. While we have folks giving generous amounts of time to move us forward, we will need more help keeping things in motion. This is just another kind of limit, like the many others we have already bypassed, and I am certain that we will find creative solutions.
"Embodying Our Story" from Sunday, September 12.
Lifespan Learning (Spiritual Nourishment)
Finally, our Joyful Hour (it's a half hour) has been great fun! I had planned to hold this gathering outdoors on our veranda, until I my research informed me that laughing is about the same as singing regarding the spread of COVID. So, I moved it online. The highlight for me is having Members and Friends laughing joyfully together who do normally make connections. (While I don't usually report to the Board about programing specifics, I'm doing so as an invitation for you to join in the next round of Laughter Yoga. Details TBA.)
Finally, our Joyful Hour (it's a half hour) has been great fun! I had planned to hold this gathering outdoors on our veranda, until I my research informed me that laughing is about the same as singing regarding the spread of COVID. So, I moved it online. The highlight for me is having Members and Friends laughing joyfully together who do normally make connections. (While I don't usually report to the Board about programing specifics, I'm doing so as an invitation for you to join in the next round of Laughter Yoga. Details TBA.)
In faith,
Rev. Matthew Funke Crary
Minister Borderlands UU
Rev. Matthew Funke Crary
Minister Borderlands UU