UUFC President’s Letter September 17, 2024

Hello again, all you members and friends of UUFC. 

Usually, I’m going on about our beautiful campus and all of you who make it special, but this letter is more about the visitors who are coming to outdoor events and/or walking through our front doors for the first time.  According to Brenda’s Administrator’s Report, we are averaging 8 visitors at every Sunday service.   Yesterday, at the Equinox Your Socks Off event, a woman who read Amanda’s post on Facebook, just up and made her two best chili recipes and brought her son to our cookoff to join in.  I talked with her and her son, Wyatt, but the thing that woke me in the middle of the night was how I just left that conversation hanging by not offering the steps to help her navigate how to really find out more about us.  I didn’t hand her one of the cards I walked past inside the main building.  I didn’t ask if she would like to be added to our email list.  With everything Amanda and her family and helpers put together, she had a great time, just like the rest of us.  She was right in the middle of things.  Everyone there made her and Wyatt feel welcome.

That feeling of welcome seems to have been the goal of the “Equinox Your Socks Off.”  Even the band had a good time despite the heat.   When Amanda was processing the events of the afternoon, she asked how to get more generations involved in what we are doing.  She asked that we talk with her about what we think might work, and perhaps what doesn’t appeal to us as well.

Joanie’s program about the big questions concerning what is sacred to us and what is important in our lives can give us some guidance on how this fellowship helps with the big questions and the big concerns.  After Joanie’s program, one recent guest asked me about becoming a member.  Honest assessment of our values and our hopes can lead to conversations about how we create the experiences that share those values with everyone. 

And here was one valuable experience you might have missed.  Yesterday, during the Equinox ritual that K-Ray and Katherine were guiding at the Meditation Garden, we were happy to think about our aspirations for the coming year.  It was the perfect exercise to follow a mindful, self-searching program like Joanie’s.  Thank you, K-Ray and Katherine.  Thank you, Amanda.  And thank you and your band, Amos, for an oldies concert that “Equinoxed my socks off.”  Sure, it was hot (as some of the chili recipes), but there was plenty to drink, plenty of shade and the pavilion was cooler, as it always is.  Thank you, Lisa, for the new fans. 

And I love how all this leads to fun.  The Rochforte family offered a “Battle of the Spouses” chili contest with Maggie promoting both parents.  I have to admit, Greg had the best “real guy-chili” ad for his batch.  Amanda had an enthusiastic cheering section.  Dexi, our visitor, had interesting variations with her own two batches—one chicken and one traditional beef.  Ron fired up the grill for hot dogs, much better than the ones you’ll find at the fair this week.

These outdoor events are so different from the ones inside, where we split up at luncheon tables, or where we scatter to seats we often take.  Outside, no one has a “spot.”  People move in and out of different areas.  We have time to talk, sing, dance and laugh, maybe find rocks and catch tadpoles.  Join in the next opportunity if you can.  Trunk or Treat is October 26, but I’ll be in Kingsland, celebrating my sister’s birthday in her new home across the state and visiting with my nephew and his family.

We have some great programs coming up.  Thank you Bill Harlan.  I’m especially looking forward to Poet Dan Veach and Guest speaker Marty Rosenbluth, a legendary (in Georgia) immigration lawyer and human rights activist. Both Rev. Marti Keller and Rev. Ed Helton will return for programs in October and November. 

I registered our team for the 2024 Walk to End Alzheimer’s.  Let me know if you plan to join the UU Columbus GA team.  We will start at the corner of Broadway and 10th Street at 5:00 PM on Friday, October 4, 2024. The opening ceremony is scheduled to start at 5:30 PM.   It takes about two hours to finish the walk and attend the closing ceremony.   You don’t have to stay the whole time, but it’s fun.

Our October 12 Work Day will give us all a chance to get to know each other better.  I guess we should plan on BYO Sack Lunch if you are here for a long time, but I’ll supply drinks.  Do bring tools, but we’ll have paint, brushes, and some yard tools. 

And then there is Trunk or Treat on October 26.  Look for more information to come, but donations of candy for the “Trunk” teams will be a big help.  And come to the event.  Last year, we had about 70 visitors.   Let me know if you need decorations for your “Truck or Treat” trunk.  I have a stash of new decorations that we didn’t use last year.  Some come with lights.

More and more people are seeking what UUFC offers.  Whatever you are doing, it’s making this fellowship thrive.  All we have to do is offer the calming, peaceful and active community that we all have found here to the people of all ages who are seeking us out. 

I really can’t believe it’s already October.

Sincerely,

Connie Ussery, President

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Columbus, GA