Building Our Beloved Community
Building Our Beloved Community: Heart-to-Heart, Hand-to-Hand, and Mindful Stewardship
Since the "Anchored In Love, Rooted In Community" Kick-off , I've had the privilege of engaging with many of you in our Heart-to-Heart Circle gatherings, generously hosted in members' homes. I extend my deepest gratitude to our hosts for creating these welcoming spaces, and to everyone who shared their joys and concerns about being part of our 2U community.
What emerged from these heartfelt discussions is a powerful truth: we are an imperfect congregation striving for perfection. We are a community of individuals, each with unique experiences and perspectives, and we have work to do in making 2U a truly welcoming, belonging, and radically inclusive place. On the other hand, we are a congregation that works very hard to live out our 2U covenant and our UU values.
These values, as articulated by the UUA, guide us in our journey:
Interdependence: We recognize our interconnectedness with all life, committing to protect Earth and build sustainable relationships.
Pluralism: We celebrate our diversity, learning from one another with love and respect.
Justice: We strive to dismantle systemic oppression and create a truly inclusive community where all thrive.
Transformation: We embrace change and growth, both spiritually and ethically.
Generosity: We share our resources and faith with compassion, fostering interdependence and mutuality.
Equity: We affirm the inherent dignity of every person, working to build accessible and inclusive communities.
Our conversations in the Heart-to-Heart Circles have illuminated the ways in which we embody these values, and where we fall short. We are reminded that:
We are inspired by direct experiences of wonder, drawing upon sacred, secular, and scientific understandings.
We are called to create ever-widening circles of solidarity, replacing barriers with mutual respect.
We cherish freedom of belief, honoring both congregational freedom and individual conscience.
These conversations are essential to our growth. To truly live into our values, we must acknowledge our imperfections and commit to action. We must listen to one another, learn from one another, and work together to build a community where everyone feels valued and included.
During our gatherings, we also discussed some of the budget priorities and goals laid out by Rev. Jason and the Finance Committee. The goal in this part of the Heart-to-Heart Circle discussion was to invite people to share thoughts and offer suggestions on how they would prioritize the following key issues:
Investing in our people:
Staff Compensation: Ensuring fair and competitive pay, addressing the gap between current salaries and UUA guidelines. Providing a cost-of-living increase of staff salaries.
Healthcare premium costs: Exploring options for managing rising healthcare expenses.
Retirement contributions for the staff: Implementing retirement contributions for all staff.
Minister’s Sabbatical: understanding the budget impact of the pre-funded sabbatical.
Caring for our congregational home:
Custodial services: Managing increased costs while maintaining a clean and safe building.
Prioritizing paying down long-term debt: Developing a plan to accelerate mortgage payments.
Elevator inspection and phone line: Accounting for necessary maintenance and safety expenses.
Rental income: Addressing the projection of lower than historical rental income.
Strengthening our programs:
Investing in our ministries/committees/teams: Ensuring adequate resources for community building and mission fulfillment.
Strengthening our finances:
Using bequest: Utilizing the bequest to address current and future financial needs.
Deepening our connections:
Community partner dues: Restoring dues to community partners like ONE Northside and Community Renewal Society.
UUA Fair Share Dues: Discussing the benefits of paying our full fair-share amount to the UUA.
These budget discussions are a crucial part of our stewardship. They are not merely about numbers; they are about aligning our financial resources with our values. They are about ensuring that we have the means to support our staff, maintain our building, and fund our vital programs.
By engaging in these conversations, we are actively participating in shaping the future of our congregation. We are demonstrating our commitment to interdependence, generosity, and equity. We are working together to build a beloved community that is both spiritually vibrant and financially sustainable.
Our journey is ongoing. We are a community of ourselves, and we are in this together. It is up to us. Let's continue to engage in open and honest dialogue, hold ourselves accountable, and work hand-in-hand to build a beloved community that reflects our deepest values and to be mindful stewards of all that we have.
With deepest respect and gratitude,
