October 6, 2021
Dear Beloved Spiritual Companions,
I hope this letter finds you well on this beautiful fall day. I want to celebrate with you some of the progress we have made together recently.
Music Search
We are delighted to announce that the Music Search Committee – Ron Relic, Jane Richards, Sheryl Bass and Jesse Bowen – have found an interim music director. Dr. Jie Yi has a doctorate in choir conducting and is skilled in the technology of producing videos for worship. He is currently a music director with a congregation in Huntington, NY and will be helping us out through the end of the year.
COVID (or Gathering in the Building)
Our Safe Gathering Task Force has been established and had their first meeting! The Task Force has representatives from a number of committees and groups in the congregation, and their purpose is to help us find out what it will take to gather as safely as possible in the building once we are able to do so. Our first steps are to identify what other congregations are doing and to check into the status of our HVAC system. I’m excited that we are taking such a positive step forward at this time.
Picnic
Join us for our first (in a while) all-church picnic. We will gather outside on the church grounds on Sunday, October 10 after the full service. Bring your own food and chair or blanket. This is a much-needed opportunity to be together sharing food and fellowship. We have members who are at high risk of contracting severe COVID, so we ask that you distance and wear a mask when near others. I know I have been longing to gather with all of you face-to-face, and we want everyone to feel as comfortable as possible attending.
Play Space and Religious Education
If you haven’t seen it yet, I hope you’ll take the opportunity while you are at the picnic to check out the progress on the new play space on our grounds. Many people have put in a lot of work to make this possible. It is an important statement about the value we place on children and families in our congregation! I especially want to thank Heather, whose leadership and vision have made this possible. We are going to be expanding Heather’s responsibilities with Religious Education as well. There will be more details when she returns from her vacation.
Other Staff News
In addition to the changes to Heather’s position, I’m delighted to announce changes have been made to Judy’s role. Judy Stettner’s official title has changed from Office Administrator to Congregational Administrator. This change reflects responsibilities that Judy has taken on to strengthen and support the membership of this congregation. Her new title and job description more accurately reflect the important work Judy is doing on behalf of this congregation.
I hope you will join me in celebrating the exciting things that are happening at Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation! And as always, please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
With Love,
Rev. Jenn Gracen