I think the past year has been an exciting one to be at UUFJC. Some signs are tangible. We’ve reorganized and revitalized our volunteer efforts that keep our fellowship running, although it remains an ongoing process. We have a choir that occasionally performs during services—a first for us. We have several groups and activities that meet at different times during the week or month. And we have quite a few new faces that have begun to come regularly and take an active part in the life of our congregation. But I think some of it is intangible, too. People are talking longer, getting to know each other, generally glad to be here. During uncertain and difficult times like these, it becomes more important than ever for us to offer a safe and welcoming community which provides seekers of many different theologies the support they need for doing the sustaining work of forming a stronger relationship with themselves, the universe, and a world in need. I would say, judging by the people who come here week after week, the community that has formed here, that to a great extent, we are meeting that task.
Of course, there is always work still to be done, and we do have some additional efforts planned for the upcoming year. We are just starting an effort to add to our roster of in-person speakers. We are seriously looking at holding OWL sex education classes in the next year, when we should have several children in the proper age range. On a more mundane note, we are planning to reseal the parking lot, and repaint the spaces so they are the proper width. And I would still like to rebuild and revamp our library, if possible, both in terms of the collection, for adults and children, and the space.
But I also want to take some time to discuss a topic that many of you may not be fully informed on, and may be wondering about. That is the ministry of Rev. Tom Bozeman, our part-time contract minister. We knew that having a 1/8 time minister who was located remotely most of the time would be, in many ways, an experiment. So far, he has visited us twice, and led or helped our members to lead four services, along with conducting in-person workshops for our members, with one visit, two services, and a workshop to go. But the bulk of his efforts have been focused in the Worship Ministry Evolution Team, a group that meets virtually most weeks. We spent the first half of the year focusing on how to prevent burnout within the congregation, which I think helpfully informed our efforts to survey Time & Talents and rejuvenate our internal volunteering, which was already underway. For the second half, we have focused more on the components and techniques of effective UU worship. Speaking as a participant, this is a challenging commitment, but it is also a rewarding one, and we hope that it has already borne fruit, at least in subtle ways, during our weekly services. The full result should be on display in the service we put on late next month, and hopefully for a long time afterward.
Later in the meeting, I will share with you Rev. Bozeman’s vision for what a second year of his ministry might look like, and we’ll try to gauge interest in participation. This information will factor heavily into the Board’s decision to renew his contract. If you have any other thoughts you would like to share on the effects of Rev. Bozeman’s ministry so far, or on the possibility of his renewal, please speak to a Board member before the next Board meeting on June 14, or of course you are welcome to attend the meeting in person.
Finally, I want to thank you all for everything you do, behind the scenes or on full display in front of the congregation, that makes this fellowship such a vibrant, welcoming community. All of our volunteers, leaders, and organizers help in ways big and small to make UUFJC what it is, and on behalf of the board, I want you to know that you have our heartfelt thanks.