Second Congregational Meeting House Society

Unitarian Universalist11 Orange St. ~ P.O. Box 1023

Nantucket, MA 02554(508) 228-5466

Nantucket Unitarian Universalist Newsletter ~ January 2012

WHERE LAND AND SEA MEETReflections on the life and lives of a religious community

by Rev. David M. Horst

As the new year begins, you, the members of the congregation, are about to arrive at another milestone in your transition to a member-driven, fiscally responsible, pro-gram-rich religious community. This transitional moment is presaged by a balanced budget for the 2012 church year recommended to you by the Board of Trustees.

The proposed budget responds chiefly to your commitment to protect the viabil-ity of the $1.2 million reserve funds by reducing the annual withdrawal. In other words, you have decided to live within its means. This is no small decision, and the short- and long-term consequences are many.

The most immediate consequence is the reduction in program staff hours and benefits, which has contributed to Marcia Hempel’s decision to resign as Director of Music. The Co-Directors of Religious Education, Lizie Hagenstein and Sally Ure, also face a reduction in hours and responsibilities. Much thought and discussion have gone into this difficult decision, but the sense of loss is real. I extend special thanks to everyone who attended the series of congregational conversations led by the Finance Committee in November and December. Many questions were asked and points of view exchanged -- it was a fine example of democracy in action at the congregational level.

Beginning in February, the leadership of the music and religious education pro-grams shifts from staff to you, the members of the congregation. Continued funding of these programs is in place, but more volunteer time and energy will be required to maintain the quality you’ve come to expect. Guest musicians and choir leaders will be hired for Sunday morning, and a new initiative to recruit and train volunteer teachers is already underway. The Music and Religious Education Committees will play key roles in the success of these programs.

With the pain of an austerity budget comes the promise of congregational renewal. I truly believe this tough but realistic budget will make you stronger: New relation-ships will be built, more collaboration will be fostered, and a greater commitment to the vitality of the church will be shared.

My task is to help show you the way, but not give you all of the answers; to be the catalyst, but not the problem solver; to create a vision, but enable and equip you to lead the way.

(continued on page 3)

JOIN US AT 10:45 A.M. FOR SERVICES EACH SUNDAY “UNDER THE

GOLD DOME.”

Sunday, January 8“Día de los Reyes”

Sunday, January 15“Martin Luther King

Tribute”

Sunday, January 22“Passing It On”

Sunday, January 29“The Problem with God”

Sunday, February 5“ Service of Recognition

for Marcia Hempel”

Families Welcome! Sunday School

for Children Each Week

~2~

Planning for Our Church’s Financial Futureby Jack Weinhold, Treasurer

Like many nonprofit organizations here on Nantucket and on the mainland, we are in the process of formulating a budget to guide us as we enter 2012. This annual process began in October 2011 and continued through year-end, moving toward our annual meeting on January 22. During this time, a clearer picture has emerged of what our revenue and expenses will be for the next 12 months. HOW DOES THE BUDGET PROCESS WORK IN OUR CHURCH?

As per our church’s by-laws, the Finance Committee “shall develop the Church’s annual budget in conjunction with the various departments and committees within the context of the actual financial realities and the long term goals and present a budget to the Board of Trustees for their approval by December 15 and then to the congregation two weeks prior to the annual meeting.”

The budget is a forecast based on financial history and the best information available to the congregation’s finance committee. The current Finance Committee is chaired by Brian Girard, former president of the Board, with myself and members Marty Eerhart, Larry Miller, and Bob Hall (all of whom also happen to serve on the Board of Trustees). Ex-officio members are Board of Trustees President Craig Spery and Rev. David Horst, Interim Minister. We meet once a month as a committee with more frequent meetings taking place during November and December as the budget is fine-tuned.

WHAT ARE THE SOURCES OF THE CHURCH’S REVENUE FOR 2012?

Your annual pledge commitment, and that of other members, is responsible for the largest portion of church revenue. In October a pledge campaign is launched with a letter and pledge card mailed to each member and friend of the congregation. It is the responsibility of each person or family unit to decide what their contribution will be to the church for the coming year. Once that decision is made based on individual financial abilities, the completed pledge card is placed in the collection plate on Sunday, mailed to the church office or submitted on-line via the church website. The amounts pledged by each individual are held in confidence with only the treasurer and pledge committee chairs privy to the information.

(continued on page 5)

~ ~ ~ OFFICIAL NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING ~ ~ ~

The Congregation of the Second Congregational Meeting House Society, Unitarian Universalist, Nantucket, Massachusetts

will hold its Annual Meeting in Hendrix Hall at 11 Orange Street

Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 12:15 p.m.

for the purpose of electing new members to the Board of Trustees, the South Church Preservation Fund, and the Nominating Committee; to approve the 2012 operating

budget; and consider other issues of governance.

Your attendance is appreciated at this important meeting.

~3~

(continued from page 1)

Congregations are built on history and tradition, but they cannot cling to the past. Your only choice is to look forward. Trust in one another, have hope, and keep the faith.

Meanwhile, be sure to thank Sally, Lizie, and Marcia for their devotion and service to the church these many years. They’ve been the program backbone of this congregation and deserve everyone’s deep gratitude.

“Where land and sea meet” is my Nantucket analogy for congregational life. A church lives in a tidal zone where our private and public lives meet and converge like the meeting place of the land and sea.

Religious Education Updateby Sally Ure and Lizie Hagenstein, RE Directors

As you may already know, we are returning to a cooperative model for our Sunday School and Yuuth Groups where all the teaching will be taken over by parents and other congregational volunteers. Partly it is because we need to restructure the paid staff positions but also because it will put us in a position to really grow our programming. It is an exciting model and speaks to our already noticeable growth in the last few months.

This cooperative Sunday School model will enable us to grow even further: As new families join, so we will have new volunteers with skills and interests that will enrich and enhance our experience. Everyone has something wonderful to share, and what a lovely way to let a village raise our children, working together under the UU principles.

We would like to take the opportunity to invite you to pin down where your interests and availabilities lie, what amount of time you are able to put in and what skills you would love to share.

We promise you that whatever efforts you put into LRE, you will get so much more back from working with these children and youth. They never fail to surprise, move, and educate us. Perhaps the questions which follow will help us all begin to build our Sunday School and Yuuth group within this cooperative model.

•Would you like to teach for a semester/ part semester/ school vacation only/ a few times a year (which times), or other?

•Would you be willing to pay for your own CORI check?

•Would you like to follow a written curriculum, or use the present system, where you write a lesson plan based on the sermon that day?

•Would you consider bringing snacks for the children on the days you teach?

•Would you like to provide your own art and craft/other resources, or have a stocked cupboard that you can work from?

•Would you prefer to plan and lead the lesson straight away, or receive some training ahead of time?

•What specific skills do you have that you would like to share/use? (sewing, musical ability, dance, art and craft, historical knowledge, drama etc).

For those who are comfortable with teaching already, we would like to step back, honor the abilities you have and give you the opportunity to shine and show off your skills. At the same time, we would like to be there for those who might like to dip their toes in the water a bit more slowly, and with a bit of scaffolding.

We want this to be right for you all, and a truly enhancing life experience. By working together we can provide our children with a truly rich and memorable experience whilst keeping within a budget that works for our church.

~4~

Music Notesby Marcia Hempel, Music Director

Thank you to all of the singers who participated in our Christmas Music Sunday, and thank you to Bob Lehman and the rest of the carolers on Christmas Eve.

The Saturday choir will continue in January, and the children will sing again near the end of January, or possibly on Feb. 5.

Please come and join the Adult choir if you have an interest, it meets on Thursdays at 5:15.

Barbara Elder will play for the service on January 8.

The new year will bring many changes at the church! Let’s look into the future and see good things, and figure out what we want our programs to look like. Music is such an important part of the church.

Isn’t that interesting - sometimes we take music for granted in our lives, and in the end it is one of the things we can’t do without. Why is that? What is music? There must be a connection between music and who we are, deep down. Let’s honor that part of ourselves. To me, it is a gentle yet passionate place, a free place, a “com-passionate” place, a mysterious place. A magical place. There is some kind of meaning that music has, that can somehow embody the essence of things. Take more time in your life just to sit and listen to music without any distractions. Without doing something else at the same time.

Come February there will be other musicians at the church in my place, because I am going to move to my home on the Cape and I will leave my position at the church. My job here has changed and I need to make some changes in my life, too. I can’t say how much I love all of you, how well I have been treated by the church for these 20 years, how much I have loved playing the Goodrich organ, and working with the the Noonday performers, and with the choir. I want to thank the choir for their wonderful musicianship, and all the fun we have had, and how much I have enjoyed getting to know all of you.

Ted Anderson and I worked together for many years and I am grateful to him for his friendship, and Susie Jarrell and I have become very close. Barbara Elder has taught me so much over the years. What a rich environment for me to grow and learn! Great people, the best. So many others in the church have been supportive, and have taught me by example what churches, and good people, are all about. I am overwhelmed with gratitude and love for you all. My heart is very full.

I will continue to teach through NCMC, and my Women’s Chorus will continue, and my Lighthouse School classes and my library classes. Right now I will be here on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The church office and Da-vid will have my cell number, 508-901-3232, which will be the best way to reach me. I am also listed in informa-tion in Dennis Port.

The wider community will still be part of my life. And all of you will always be in my heart.

~5~

(continued from page 2)

Members and friends who regularly participate and derive benefits from the church are expected to pledge each year, with special consideration given in hardship situations. Though our denomination does not set forth hard and fast rules about pledging and contributing, each congregation is able to grow and thrive only if all of its members and friends pledge.

The finance committee bases its revenue projections in large part on the pledges received when the campaign ends in early November, though pledges for the coming year can be submitted after that deadline if necessary. Pledges for 2012 are anticipated to be $68,000.

For the 2012 budget, total revenue from the categories of pledges, other contributions, rentals, fundraising and interest and dividends is forecasted at $216,110. In order to meet the 2012 expenses of $253,610 forecast by the finance committee, and to achieve a balanced budget, an additional $37,500 will need to be drawn from the principal of our reserve fund at TIAA-CREF.

This withdrawal of principal for the purpose of balancing the budget is in keeping with the policy adopted at a congregational meeting on July 25, 2010. (The policy states that for the budget year 2012, the amount withdrawn may not exceed $37,500.) Adding this $37,500 to the total projected 2012 revenue of $216,110, provides available cash of $253,610 and balances the budget.

WHAT ARE THE EXPENSES FORECASTED FOR 2012?

There are $253,610 in expenses allocated to nine categories—ministry, music, lifespan education, denominational affairs, committees, fundraising, administration/operations, building and grounds, and investment.

HOW DOES THIS BUDGET COMPARE TO LAST YEAR’S BUDGET?

The loss of four members (two who died and two who moved away), who together accounted for 32% of last year’s pledge, presented a handicap for the 2012 pledge campaign. We are grateful that more than half that reduction was made up by increased pledges from a number of members. Several sources, including new, inspiring fundraising activities and a grant for a cultural program series have increased the revenue projection for 2012 to $216,110. To balance the budget, however, a reduction in expenses, compared to last year, of more than $45,000 was required, with the program areas of music and LRE most affected by the reduced funding.

HOW DOES THE CONGREGATION PARTICIPATE IN THE BUDGETING PROCESS?

The Finance Committee has hosted several informational meetings and a roundtable led by Rev. Horst. The dates of these meetings were November 4, November 20, December 11 and December 18. A total of 105 church members, friends and staff participated in those meetings with everyone in attendance given the opportunity to voice support and concerns..

During the first two meetings, concerns were expressed by the Finance Committee about the reality of the financial situation we are currently facing with the subpar revenue projections for 2012. Suggestions were made at the first meeting about potential fundraising ideas for 2012, which were then reviewed by the Finance Committee and Board and subsequently presented to the Fundraising Committee, with several incorporated into the budget.

At a special Board meeting on December 6 the Trustees reviewed a new budget. Additionally, Rev. Horst discussed proposed budget program expense reductions with staff members both individually and at the regular staff meeting on December 7. At the December 11th and 18th open congregational meetings a final budget was discussed.

The proposed budget for 2012 was voted on and approved by the Board of Trustees at its December 27 meeting in preparation for the church’s Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 22. At the Annual Meeting church members will have the opportunity to vote on the proposed budget. (We welcome both members and friends for discussion and participation at all forums and Annual Meetings. However, only official members are eligible to vote on church matters such as budgets.)

If you have signed the Membership Book, you are considered a member in good standing in the congregation. If you are not a member but would like to discuss membership prior to the January 22 meeting, please contact Rev. Horst.

If you have any questions about the church’s finances, please contact me at (508) 228-5242 .

~6~

January 2012 Worship & Religious Education Theme Sunday, January 8 ~ 10:45 a.m.Día de los Reyes Hendrix Hall and Activities Room

We celebrate Día de los Reyes (Three Kings Day), the Latin American tradition commemorating the biblical story of the three kings who followed the star of Bethlehem to bring gifts to the baby Jesus. In Mexico and many Latin American coun-tries Día de los Reyes, celebrated on January 6 (the Christian Epiphany), marks the end of the twelve days of Christmas. Presented in Spanish and English. Worship with Rev. David Horst. Music by Barbara Elder. Religious education with Sally Ure and Lizie Hagenstein. Coffee and conversation follow the programs.

Sunday, January 15 ~ 10:45 a.m.Martin Luther King Tribute Hendrix Hall and Activities Room

As early as 1956, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King spoke of the Beloved Community at victory rally following the U.S. Su-preme Court ruling desegregating the seats on Montgomery’s buses: “The end is reconciliation; the end is redemption; the end is the creation of the Beloved Community….” Rev. King’s prophetic and hopeful words still speak, especially during our time of political divisiveness and economic uncertainty. Worship with David Horst. Music by Marcia Hempel. Religious education with Sally Ure and Lizie Hagenstein. Coffee and conversation follow the programs.

Sunday, January 22 ~ 10:45 a.m.Passing It OnHendrix Hall and Activities Room

This Fourth Sunday Lay-Led Service is dedicated to our mentors who have had a significant impact on us. Four congrega-tion members will share their stories.

Sunday, January 29 ~ 10:45 a.m.The Problem with God Hendrix Hall and Activities Room

Are you carrying God baggage from your religious upbringing? If so, dump it. Has the Religious Right defiled your image of God? If so, smash it. Has Richard Dawkins convinced you that God is a delusion? If so, get free of it. Come and learn ways to reconstruct an image of God that is rational, positive, and life giving -- for believers and nonbelievers alike! Wor-ship with David Horst. Music by Marcia Hempel. Religious education with Sally Ure and Lizie Hagenstein. Coffee and conversation follow the programs.

Sunday, February 5 ~ 10:45 a.m.Service of Recognition for Marcia Hempel Hendrix Hall and Activities Room

Today we bid goodbye to our beloved Director of Music, Marcia Hempel. Come celebrate her many years of service and devotion to the congregation. Share a story of a time when Marcia and her music touched your life. Most of all, bring your best wishes and blessings for Marcia as she departs for new opportunities. Service led by members of the Music Commit-tee, Board of Trustees, and Rev. David Horst. A reception in Marcia’s honor follows the service.

~7~

BOARD OF TRUSTEES REPORTby Craig Spery, Board President

“To participate, however, is more than responsibility. It is the way in which the tie that binds, the bonds of love, brings us together in a community seeking and engendering justice and mercy for all.”

---James Luther Adams, (1901-1994, Unitarian Universalist minis-ter, theologian, ethicist, educator, author) As we approach the Annual Meeting on January 22, I’m grate-ful to many people that participate in our church community and make it a special place. I’ve appreciated the dedication of the members of the Board of Trustees. Current board members are Sissy Girard, David Hall, Bob Hall, Jack Weinhold, Larry Miller, Christine Sanford and Marty Eerhart and all have given hours of time and effort to help make important decisions to help guide our congregation into the future. My thanks also to the staff for doing excellent work: Reverend David Horst, Music Director Mar-cia Hempel, Religious Educators Lizie Hagenstein and Sally Ure, Office Administrator Kim LaRue, Sextons Mimi Jones and Dennis Santangelo. The good work of the various committees of the congregation can’t be understated. I’m sure I speak for many when I extend gratitude for everyone that has served and continues to serve on committees. From Bob Lehman, chair of the Building and Grounds Committee; to Jack Reindel, chair of the Music Com-mittee; to Pam Lohmann, past chair of the Personnel Commit-tee; to Joan Ottinger, past chair of the LRE Committee; to Brian Girard, chair of the Finance Committee; to Les Ottinger, chair of the South Church Preservation Fund; to Kat Robinson Grieder for chairing the Welcoming Committee; to Pete Sawyer co-chair and Linda Spery co-chair, of the Fundraising Committee; to Mary Beth Splaine, Sissy Girard, Linda Spery, Christine Sanford, Yves Shevalier, and Margaret Ruttenburg from the 4th Sunday Lay-Led Committee; to the members of the Peace & Justice Committee; and to the entire Interim Search Committee--Chris Lohmann, co-chair, Brian Girard, co-chair, Gerry Mack, Marina Sutro, Patrick Beaugard and Jack Reindel.

Thanks also to Joanne Polster, church archivist; and Georgen Charnes, church website coordinator. A special recognition to David Barham for his oversight of the beautiful SCPF restoration of the historic sanctuary. And to anyone that I might have over-looked, thank you all for your participation in our community.

SCPF Updateby Leslie Ottinger, M.D.SCPF Board President

As can be seen, the three sashes of the northeast window have been removed and replaced with plywood. They are being evaluated to determine the extent of resto-ration needed and to get estimates of the cost. This work, for all the windows, will include replacing new with old glass and reglazing and painting. Also some sashes are not original and are of a different design that the original ones. Appropriate new sashes will replace them, as was done with the tower windows. Restoration work is still on schedule for completion in May.

An active campaign to fund the Permanent Maintenance Fund continues. The Board will be submitting suggestions for new runners and carpeting to the Society in the near future. A plan for regular maintenance of the building is also being developed.

AN INVITATION: Connecting NantucketSaturday, January 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 11 South Shore Road

Jack Weinhold and Mary Beth Splaine invite you to participate in the first of a series of workshops based on the theories and practices of Joanna Macy. Joanna is an eco-philosopher, systems theorists, and Buddhist teacher whose workshop “The Work That Reconnects” is engaging people world wide. Our Unitarian principle “We af-firm the interdependent web of all existence” is a touchstone of the workshop whose goals are helping us to uncover and experience our innate connections with each other as a way to be enlivened and motivated to play our part in creating a sustainable civilization.

The day-long workshop will be led by Emily Johns and Karina Lutz, Macy-trained facilita-tors. There is a limit of 15 participants. Tuition is $30 including lunch, with some scholarship and/or barter available. To register, please email mb@nantucket.net.

Second Congregational Meeting House Society11 Orange St. ~ P.O. Box 1023Nantucket, MA 02554

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Second Congregational Meeting House SocietyUnitarian Universalist

11 Orange St. ~ P.O. Box 1023Nantucket, MA 02554

(508) 228-5466 (Office)www.unitarianchurchnantucket.org

uuchurchnantucket@verizon.net

Church StaffDavid M. Horst, Interim Minister ~ Edward B. Anderson, Minister Emeritus ~ Kim N. LaRue, Office

Administrator and Receptionist ~ Marcia Hempel, Director of Music and Organist ~ Lizie Hagenstein and Sally Ure, Co-Directors of Religious Education ~ Mimi Jones and Dennis Santangelo, Sextons ~ Meghan

Blair-Valero, Fogged-In Bookkeeping, Business Services

Board of TrusteesCraig Spery (President), Sissy Girard (Vice-President), Bob Hall (Clerk), Jack Weinhold (Treasurer)

Marty Eerhart, Larry Miller, David Hall, Christine Sanford

Church Office HoursMonday - Friday ~ 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Minister’s Office HoursTuesday (10 a.m. - noon) and Friday (noon - 2 p.m.)