At its regular monthly meeting January 10, the Board of Trustees set February 13 as the date for a congregational meeting to elect the ministerial search committee. The board also discussed a purchase offer to sell the parsonage and the proposed restoration contract for the McKim organ, but took no action on those issues.
Treasurer Brian Pepper reported that the pledge canvass had generated $49,500 from 17 pledges. Donations to the Red Cross for tsunami relief on January 2 and 9 amounted to slightly more than $1100. The Christmas Eve collection for the Pastoral Discretionary Fund drew about $400, and the PDF now contains slightly more than $1000.
Regarding the offer to purchase the parsonage from a resident of the same building, market analyses performed by real estate brokers contacted by board members came in with values comparable to the offer. No action was taken.
Greg Wigle reported that he had not been able to recruit anyone to chair a fundraising committee for the restoration of the McKim organ, despite contacting many people both within and outside the church. Several other possibilities for organ fundraising committee chair were suggested, and Greg said he would contact them. The board agreed to make a decision on the organ restoration contract, which carries a total cost of $360,000, by January 24; the deadline to accept the contract is January 31.
Moderator Greg Wigle reported that the Eritrean congregation will be worshipping at UNMC only two or three more weeks, and that their new building will be dedicated the second week of February.
Worship Committee Chair Rob Bertram reported that the committee is looking at three issues -- hymnals, the content of readings, and the Declaration of Faith (Five Principles of 1899). The committee wants to grapple with the declaration while we have an interim minister and plans to launch a process in February in which members of the congregation will be invited to talk about what the Five Principles mean to them in the context of our worship.
It was noted that in the time remaining in the current budget year, which ends April 30, the choir will be singing every Sunday except for two -- the Presidents Day holiday weekend and the Sunday after Easter.
Building & Grounds Committee Chair Jorn Dakin reported that repairs to the roof are pending; we are in the contractor’s queue. He also reported that an unusable upright piano and old electronic organ have been removed.
Welcome & Membership Chair Perry King reported that many new people have attended worship in recent weeks. The committee is trying to create community and get people involved, not just within the church but also in the community, with some new events. Inquirers classes will be held January 30 and February 6.
Registrar Sue Mosher reported in the annual membership report to the UUA, due Feb. 1, she would be reporting 77 members, down two from last year’s report.
Nominating Committee Chair Sue Mosher reported that the committee had receive three written applications for the ministerial search committee, along with one verbal expression of interest, and would be doing additional recruiting before the February 13 meeting.
The board endorsed the idea of holding a neighborhood concert on Palm Sunday afternoon, to celebrate the church’s 75th anniversary