This month the board will be studying the minutes of last month’s congregational meeting.  At the meeting we had discussions regarding our values, what inspires us, what programs are most important to us and to the community, and how a ministerial presence would affect those programs.  We also introduced a short survey that we hope everyone will complete, asking for your opinion on building/searching for a new home and seeking professional ministry.  Reviewing this material will help the board make decisions that are aligned with our values. If you have more to contribute or have a question, please feel free to speak with any board member. We are searching for solutions that are fiscally responsible, appropriate for our space requirements, parking capabilities and that acknowledge our desire to have professional ministry. Everyone’s input is valuable.

October 2016 Annual Meeting: Report and Summary

The congregation held its annual fall meeting on Oct. 17.  A total of 37 voting members voted unanimously to:
1. submit our application to the Unitarian Universalist Association to be recognized as a Welcoming Congregation and 2. hang the rainbow flag outside every Sunday morning.
 
Our UUA district Congregational Life Consultant Rev. Joan VanBecelaere led us in a series of small-group discussions identifying our passions as UUFP members and the ministries and programs that matter the most to us as members and in the broader community.  Sunday morning services and Religious Education were most frequently mentioned but many other important aspects of our mission here and beyond our church walls—social justice, religious freedom, and fostering spiritual growth—were recognized as well.
 
The rest of our discussion focused on the UUFP Five Year Plan and two of our long-range goals:
 
1. Hiring a Part-Time Minister
In discussions we identified both the possible advantages as well as the potential challenges of hiring and employing a part-time minister.  Hiring a part-time minister remains an important goal.  It should be noted that the goal of employing a part time-minister could be reached more quickly, depending on our decisions regarding our meeting space.
 
2. A Larger and Fully Accessible Church Building
The UUFP remains committed to fulfilling our mission and providing for a growing membership.  However, the UUFP “Request for Proposal” to the architects we hired to plan an approximate $600,000 building came back with a surprising $831,000 price tag.  The Board and Fund Development Committee concluded that that plan was beyond our projected and currently available means.  Specifically:

• We’ve learned that a 3,000 square foot building, even using the most basic construction, costs at minimum $200 per square foot, plus a site preparation fee, a 15% contingency fee, and the architects’ fee.  The Board is currently looking into whether this building design could be built for less but research into general building costs has confirmed that the architects’ estimates of cost per foot are most likely in keeping with standard building practices.   
• An investigation into a residential property on 9 University Place that recently became available for sale concluded that the space would require at least $700,000 in structural, accessibility, and parking renovations, plus the cost of installing a sprinkler system.  This cost eliminates it as a possibility for us.  
• In recognition of our need to find a more affordable solution, the board has continued to be open to other solutions and properties that may serve us.  It may be a temporary one until sufficient funds are raised to build our dream on spacious property that we already own.  To that end, the congregation discussed the possibility of holding Sunday morning services and religious education classes at a larger meeting space that would be accessible to all (unlike our current meeting space).  The Board has begun to explore this possibility with Temple Beth Israel by renting their building for our use on Sunday mornings.  The Synagogue board will consider our inquiry.  The Board will keep the UUFP congregation informed so we can continue to discuss and explore this transitional strategy. 

Members expressed completely understandable disappointment that our goal of building a new church home is not financially possible at the present moment or in the near future. But a definite spirit of optimism about the future, and passionate energy for meeting this next challenge emerged during our meeting!  We seem to be ready to begin exploring creative transitional strategies for growing our membership and for worshiping on Sunday morning in a space that’s accessible to all.
 
The Board and the Fund Development Committee emphasize that no final decisions have been made and will not be made without the input of the congregation and much further discussion.  The Board requested our input in a short questionnaire that was distributed at the meeting, was emailed to everyone and was also available at the Fellowship.  Everyone is encouraged to fill it out and return it to any Board member.
 
Rev. VanBecelaere told me after the meeting that she was very impressed by our passion and our goals for the future.  She said that “there’s an amazing energy here!”  Her home church in Columbus, Ohio, is very similar to ours in that it has outgrown its current meeting space but does not currently have enough members to build or purchase a new church home. She agrees with the UUFP Board and the Fund Development Committee’s assessment that breaking ground for a new building is not currently possible but that creative transitional strategies are the key to continuing towards achieving our dreams. 
 
Questions or concerns?  Contact any Board member (http://uuplattsburgh.org/about-us/our-elected-leaders/).  

Beefing Up Our Modes of Communication

We're looking to hear how you would  prefer for the UUFP  to communicate with you--especially when we want to reach you quickly. Would you like a phone call? Would you prefer a text? an e-Blast? or a combination of those?  If you haven't completed your preference form, please write to joellen.miano@gmail.com or speak with her on a Sunday morning.

 

Pathway to Membership

Perhaps you have been attending services, thinking that this fellowship is a good match for you—that you have found your spiritual home.  To become a member of UUFP, you must complete the “Pathway to Membership” classes.  The “Pathway” classes allow you to learn about Unitarian Universalism and our fellowship.  These classes will be held on Jan. 8 and 29, 2017, after services. A light lunch will be provided.  If you are a UU already, you need only to attend the second session (on Jan. 29).  Throughout the fall there will be a sign-up sheet available. Sessions are casual and will last about an hour.  Please see Mary Ward or Tina Welch if you have any questions. In the meantime, we encourage you to get involved in the life of the fellowship.  See one of us to discuss ways you can do that. The UUFP welcomes you!  Enjoy!