Dear UU members and friends,
We are currently in a period of celebrations:
- Diwali, the Hindu festival of light, celebrating good over evil
- Samhain, the Celtic celebration of the harvest
- Halloween, a time for trick or treating
- All Saints Day, November 1, a day of remembrance of canonized Christians and also deceased loved ones.
- Day of the Dead November 1-2, a Mexican holiday now celebrated in many places around the world to welcome back the souls of deceased relatives.
What a great time to appreciate life and celebrate those who have departed but are still alive in our memories.
UU News
At the Sunday, December 11, Annual Business Meeting, we will have an election to replace five positions on the Fellowship’s Board: three Trustees at large, the Secretary, and the President. A Nomination Committee was appointed (Brenda Stevens, Kristen Hurst, and Michelle Midgette) to make recommendations and to receive nominations. If you would like to run for any of those positions or would like information about the positions, please contact a member of the committee. The nominations will be closed at the end of the Board meeting November 15. The slate of nominees will be published two weeks before the December 11 election.
The portico of Grace Fellowship Hall needs maintenance. The weather and carpenter bees have caused some damage, so it will be patched up, re-stained and sealed in order to serve us for the future. Brenda Stevens is overseeing the contract.
If you haven’t looked into the back kitchen, please do. Orm Burnham has refloored it, and it looks fantastic. We had the extra tiles, and Orm has the special skills. Thanks Orm.
Due to many requests for a chairlift or elevator for accessing the upstairs, the Board asked a Fire Marshal and a member of the Columbus Codes Division to visit the Fellowship to assess the feasibility of installing a commercially-rated chairlift on the staircase. Unfortunately, because the stairwell was too narrow, it did not meet code. Every modification we do in GFH must meet commercial standards.
The Board also explored installing an elevator. According to one commercial vendor, it would cost about $49,000 for the elevator, plus the cost of building modifications, and installation costs. A land line phone inside an elevator is also a code requirement. The Board weighed the cost benefit and chose to reconfigure the Meeting House as a Children’s area and a space for Adult Religious Exploration. The Design Team is developing a plan to make the Meeting House a safe, inviting and comfortable area for children, while also reserving an area for small meetings.
Lisa Pyburn has continued to beautify the area along the Heiferhorn Creek. A team of workmen she hired removed years of debris and trash and cleared the wooded area. Thanks for your vision and commitment, Lisa.
On October 23, the Fellowship had a post-service luncheon in the Pavilion. It was a joy to gather together again and share stories over food. As long as weather permits, monthly potlucks in the pavilion can be planned. Potlucks inside will be considered by the Board depending on the community health situation, especially during Flu season. Feedback from the congregation is always welcome.
On Wednesday, November 2, at 6:30 P.M., the Fellowship will have a celebration of Day of the Dead outside in the Meditation Garden area. There will be an altar for people to place pictures of loved ones who have gone before them. We will not have a grill, but people are welcome to bring a snack or something to drink.
Early Voting: Early voting for the midterm election will continue thru November 4. You can vote at the Citizen’s Service Center, Columbus Tech, or the Shirley B. Winston Recreation Center every day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
“Elections belong to the people. It’s their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they will just have to sit on their blisters.”
– Abraham Lincoln
In Fellowship,
Hal Midgette, President UUFC