Greetings fellow UUs,
I hope this letter finds you well, and perhaps even thriving during these challenging times.
The UUFC Board met Wednesday, August 19 and unanimously decided not to open in September. After analyzing the Covid status report in our area, we decided reopening for in-person Service was not safe for our congregation in September as we had previously planned. The Board will meet again in September to review the situation. This decision wasn’t taken lightly. We are all suffering from “caution fatigue” and long for the day when we can all come together again as a congregation. We set the Board meeting up with a Zoom component so congregants were invited to sign in. We want the actions of the UUFC Board to be transparent. The next UUFC Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 13, at 10:00 A.M.
Fellowship News
Schools in Muscogee County, Harris County, and Phenix City have started the 2020-2021 school year, some virtually and some in-person. Columbus State University is also open. Whether teaching and learning is online or in-person, it’s a difficult time for teachers and students, so let’s keep them all in our thoughts and prayers. Our congregation is fortunate to include many teachers and professors. We wish them all a safe and successful year.
Bill Harlan has evolved into a screen director, and this transformation has really been wonderful. The weekly YouTube service has continued to improve thanks to the production crew: Ron Ussery (camera, lights, fix-it guy), David Rush (sound), Kenny Gray (lighting), Rick Spradlin (most frequent speaker), and Whittaker Locke (music).
Last month one of our UU neighbors posted “No Trespassing” signs on their boundary. They called Brenda Stevens to assure her that the intent wasn’t hostile towards our Fellowship, but that they had some vandalism of their property and were taking this step to warn people of their property boundaries. If you walk along Heiferhorn Creek, you can see that there once was a path extending back onto their property from our side. When the property was purchased, a survey wasn’t made. All focus was on getting into the building and fixing it up for service. As a result, I estimated our boundaries using the plat, Google Earth, and walking with measuring chains, but it was an approximate survey. This month the Board hired Bech Survey Company to mark our boundaries, so now we have clearly delineated property lines. It was good to learn that the scenic Heiferhorn Creek belongs to our UU.
In an effort to make the Pavilion more accessible, we had a railing constructed and installed by Steelmaster Ornamental Iron. It looks great. Additionally, Lisa Pyburn continues to improve the area around the Pavilion. If you haven’t seen it, come on down with your favorite beverage and sit and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Heiferhorn. The UU Women’s Book Club meets monthly in a small group in the Pavilion.
Exciting news. A small wedding of less than ten people has been planned to take place in our Meditation Garden, with Rick Spradlin officiating. This will be the first wedding at our Heiferhorn Way Fellowship.
The Wednesday night Zoom meetings continue to draw a following. Bill Harland and sometimes David Rush or Elise Leonard host. Drop in if you want to chat with other congregants. Additionally, Elise Leonard hosts the Zoom Friday lunch group that meets at 12:30. A lively chatty way to end the week. Check your emails for the Zoom links Brenda sends out each week.
Keep Smiling
Millions of years of evolution have made us social animals. Wearing masks and social distancing have interfered with our natural ways of communication: hugging, shaking hands, smiling, frowning. But we are learning to adapt. Zooming lets us see and hear each other. Phone conversations, Facetime and Skype also help us to connect. Coping and adapting are essential to our well-being. Let’s stay in touch one way or another.
In fellowship,
Hal Midgette
President, UUFC