The Wonky Delight of Working on the Bylaws
by Board Secretary Karen Zindell
June’s theme of "play" brings to mind the activities that now are merely longed for memories: singing in church and sharing snacks at coffee time, bear hugs and laughter.
The wonky activity of delving deeply into bylaws language over the past two years has, surprisingly, been a playful spiritual practice for me. For those not familiar with the term, "wonky" describes someone who is enthusiastic about the specialized details of a subject.
I’ve had moments of feeling “in the zone” that I recognize from playing volleyball — that split second when the ball is outside my field of vision, but somehow, in a random, wonky, impossible manner, my arm preposterously connects and lobs it over the net — in bounds! Like — who did that?!
My experience wasn’t like that when I first volunteered to help craft bylaws supporting the shared ministry model of governance. I was the newcomer who asked a lot of questions and needed to borrow a laptop to keep up. Then, without warning to all the players, the team abruptly took a hiatus.
During the early lockdown days, a re-formed team began meeting two hours weekly on Zoom, continuing for more than a year. Were we a task force to implement governance changes or a bylaws, policy and procedures committee? Boundaries became visible after the October membership meeting reversed the governance model’s implementation. I began to experience that elusive state of flow. In brief visits to the zone, I forgot the pandemic, forgot lunch, even forgot to shower. Zoom is a forgiving, shower-free zone that fortunately didn’t keep me from connecting with my teammates. In fact, I thought I detected moments of “group flow”!
How so, when we might spend an hour discussing whether five, seven, 10 or 10 percent of the congregation should be required to call a special membership meeting? Or what does it really mean to be, and to remain, a church member?
Our results were presented May 2 at the Annual Congregational Meeting. In true UU fashion, there were engaged discussion and some disagreement. A focus group was formed and developed alternative wording for items of concern. Now the ball gets lobbed back into the congregation’s court for some final decisions.
In the PDF, the language developed by the bylaws team is marked “A” and highlighted in red. Suggested alternatives are marked “B” and in purple. Third “C” choices appear in green. The board will hold an information session and conduct an online survey. Participants will select “A,” “B” or “C." The process will culminate in a congregational meeting to vote on replacing our 2011 bylaws with the 2021 version.
I find section 9.1 on ministers the most interesting. The 2011 bylaws covered only calling a settled minister who serves for an indefinite period. The proposed bylaws include new sections for contract ministry, including interim and developmental ministers. There are three choices:
A) The Minister may be in fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) or recognized by the Association as actively seeking such fellowship.
If considered, a non-UUA minister shall be a contract minister and must be voted upon by at least three-quarters (3/4) majority of the Membership at a special Membership Meeting.
B) The Minister shall be in fellowship with the UUA or recognized as actively seeking such fellowship.
C) Under the UU principle of Congregational Polity, the congregation has the right to contract with any Minister of its choosing.
If C) is chosen, an additional definition to Article 2 will be added:
Option 1. Congregational Polity: A system of ecclesiastical polity (“polity” meaning any form of organized society or any society as a political unit) in which every local church congregation is independent, ecclesiastically sovereign or "autonomous."
Option 2. Congregational Polity: A system in which individual congregations receive guidance from denominational leadership, member churches and their own ministers but are the ultimate arbiters of their own governance and the expression of their denominational faith and its principles.
"Qualifications of the Minister: Although under congregational polity our congregations have the right and ability to call whomever they desire as their minister, some congregations choose to limit that choice by requiring that the minister be in fellowship with the Unitarian Universalist Association."
Finally, some said it was a bad time to work on the bylaws. No doubt. Without all the kinds of communication that in-person work includes, the ability to connect with this ball — that is, with our teammates and the bylaws’ content — has been based mostly on good faith, on faith that all players got the playing time they wanted and were given the opportunity to serve. Faith that when we disagreed, we abided by the democratic process and engaged fully with one another. Faith that agreed-upon boundaries invite a state of flow, and in turn, encourage more play.
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Board Votes to Seek a Full-time Minister
At its May 20 meeting, the Board of Trustees voted to search for a full-time minister for a one-year contract, on the recommendation of the Ministerial Transition Team. For a year, the team has been looking unsuccessfully for a half- or three-quarter-time minister. The team feels a full-time minister is needed to rebuild membership, Chair Russell Patterson said.
The board informally agreed that a committee to raise the funds for the minister’s salary would be required.
Congregants interested in representing UUCT as a delegate at the UUA's virtual General Assembly June 23-27 should contact the board at [email protected] and register before June 8. Sponsorship is available. The board will choose delegates by June 17.
Two church members have already registered. Karen Zindell said the board may want to adopt policies and procedures for the selection of delegates in the future.
James Shaw asked the board to support a letter to the Pasco County School Board, concerning the sharing of student information with the Sheriff’s Office. The board did not want to act without discussing the issue with the congregation. Instead, it was decided that signing the letter would be left up to individuals.
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UUCT Begins Indoor Activities in June
by Judy Lane
After meeting weekly for two months, the Re-entry Screening Committee (RSC) approved guidelines on vaccinated people May 11. Two days later, the CDC updated its guidelines. The RSC then sharply revised our guidelines again.
I know many of you are anxious to get back into church but please consider the uncertainty about whether we are all safe, the toll on our staff and the risks to the vulnerable in our congregation. With your patience, we can make in-person activities safe and meaningful for all our members and friends.
In June, the church will begin to open, with a limit of 50 people in the large dome. The number will be adjusted as necessary. The Worship Program Committee has proposed an event in which volunteers would be invited to view an online service indoors.
Applications from groups outside the church will be considered later.
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The Sisters Rowing North Book Club met for lunch in May. It was the first time that members could get together in person as a group. |
Board Members Agree to 2-year Terms
The congregation approved the appointment of Liz Bleau to the Board of Trustees at the annual meeting May 2. Both she and Robert Boileau agreed to serve for two years. In September, the seats occupied by Jay Butler and Karen Zindell will become vacant. Contact [email protected] if you are interested in serving.
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Rev. Macomber Offers Pastoral Care
by Mary Wolgemuth
The Healthy Relations Team recognizes that conflict is normal and part of our humanity. Conflict is an opportunity to learn more about fellow UUCT congregants. Dealing with conflict helps people feel more connected.
The Healthy Relations Team works to help people resolve differences themselves or to communicate concerns in a caring, nonthreatening environment with the team. The goal is to find a solution that all involved can live with. Constructive dialogue leads to understanding and truth.
To inquire about the team’s process or to submit an unresolved issue, email [email protected]. Communication is confidential.
The Rev. Dr. Jim Macomber is now available for pastoral care related to the Healing and Moving Forward Project. He can be contacted at [email protected].
Candy Gale added: "What do you need to talk about to move forward in the church? At noon June 13, we are having a meeting to discuss these issues." An email address will be provided soon so that congregants can comment.
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Re-entering Playfully
by Erin Powers, Director of Religious Exploration for Children and Youth
Navigating re-opening and re-entering is fraught with worries. Holding the excitement of being together again with the concerns about safety and inclusion can be overwhelming.
We are living through a period of collective trauma. We are all doing the best we can. Many of us are expecting too much of ourselves.
Waiting is hard! We are anxious to get back to what was, exactly how it was. Will it be the same? These conflicting emotions and expectations are tough to manage. We might feel like throwing a tantrum!
Transitions, patience and unknowns are all huge tantrum triggers for young ones. These can be tough to process for young brains. Right now in this traumatized time, our brains are often functioning at younger developmental stages, too. But what if we put on our parent hats for a moment, and parented ourselves through these feelings? What if we treated ourselves with the same compassion as an overtired toddler?
A tried and true method for coaching young ones through tough emotions is play! Making games out of transitions between home and the park, tidying up, taking medicine, and more is often more successful than just commanding. Telling stories to engage our imaginations in positive ways helps to make unknowns less scary. Finding fun ways to occupy our time and our brains when we’re feeling impatient helps the time pass quickly.
Playfulness is not just for kids. It’s just as valuable for adults navigating tough situations. As we make plans to return to our sanctuary, let’s keep the playful spirit of our children at the forefront.
RE Volunteer Interest Survey
As I consider what RE will look like in the fall, one thing remains the same. We will need volunteers! I am polling the entire congregation to get an idea of what our volunteer pool might look like. This is a quick poll and every answer is valuable, even if it’s "no." Thank you for taking a few minutes to answer this survey: https://forms.gle/ZiF5bwJ9fwhVYuWP8
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June Worship Services
10:30 a.m. June 6
Rev. Joe Donatone -- Making Time for Recess
"Life seems to get so busy this time of year as we balance one obligation against another. Family, work, community, and the need to find our 'new normal,' as we emerge from the pandemic, all compete for our physical, emotional and spiritual resources. Wouldn't it be nice to have a dedicated time to balance and reset? Let us explore the spiritual practice of recess."
The Rev. Donatone has been welcomed into preliminary fellowship with the UUA. He is completing chaplain residency and fellowship at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, where he is studying the intersections of spirituality and moral injury, military sexual trauma and PTSD.
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10:30 a.m. June 13
Erin Powers -- Play as a Spiritual Practice
"Play comes so naturally to kids, but is often difficult for adults. But it’s not JUST play! Play can be a pathway to a deeper connection with our spiritual selves. Let’s explore together and see what we can discover!"
Erin has served as UUCT's director of Religious Exploration for Children and Youth for eight years. She is passionate about racial justice, radical inclusion and empowering our families to live their faith out loud.
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10:30 a.m. June 20
Rev. Dr. Jim Macomber -- Fathers and Fathering
"Some of us have had great fathers, others not so much. Yet we have probably all had people in our lives who fathered us — maybe an uncle, aunt, cousin or grandparent. Let us celebrate them, whoever they have been, on this day recognizing fatherhood."
Ordained in 2001, the Rev. Dr. Macomber has served UU congregations in Tennessee, New Mexico, New York and Georgia. He lives in Palm Harbor.
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7:30 p.m. June 26
Earthbound Coven -- Full Moon Celebration
"Earthbound, led by Lady PhyreStorm, always puts on amazing rituals, so this will be one to see!"
The prerecorded ritual will focus on bringing the community together. It will be available on the CUUPS Calendar and Facebook group. |
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10:30 a.m. June 27
Rev. Kathy Schmitz -- Sunrise on the Beach
"Sunrise is a symbol of new beginnings. Watching a sunrise on the beach adds an element of peace and can signal a time of reflection. In this season, where many finally get a break in the action, we consider the value of taking time to pause and move forward with intention."
The Rev. Schmitz is an ordained UU minister. She has a passion for interfaith work and is a longtime environmentalist and advocate for social justice. She lives in Orlando.
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Gloria Holloway Wins Betty Lee Award
by Suzie Siegel
The annual Betty McCluer Lee Distinguished Service Award honors a UUCT member for "high standards of diligence and dedication" to our church. The board gave the award to Gloria Smith Holloway last month.
"It was incredibly satisfying to see her years of service as a volunteer to the church recognized, particularly her extensive service in the music ministry of concerts hosted by the UUCT," Board President Jay Butler wrote.
It's especially fitting since Gloria knew Betty Lee "since birth."
"My dad (Jack Smith) worked for Betty's dad -- T.G. Lee. When I was a child, we lived on Lee property near the dairy" in Orlando. Betty was away at college but came home to visit. "I remember listening to her play the piano in the living room of her parent's home."
Gloria got her love of music from her mother, Winifred "Winnie" Cox Smith. Winnie was a soloist in her Methodist church choir. The family had a piano and Gloria took lessons.
She was working in Miami in 1992 when a concert drew her to a UU church. She became a member and volunteered with church concerts. In 1994, she retired from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. She moved to Tampa and transferred her membership to the UUCT.
"Although I saw Betty in the congregation, I didn't realize who she was until I happened to be in the church kitchen helping with coffee time one Sunday," Gloria wrote. "Cay [Cahalin] pulled out a bottle of T.G. Lee milk from the fridge, and she remarked that 'our Betty Lee' was part of the Lee family. I was SHOCKED! I immediately left the kitchen and found Betty. I said to her, 'Betty, I'm Gloria SMITH.' She was shocked, too -- she said that she knew there was something familiar about me. I told her about the time her mom took me into the attic of their home and we looked through her childhood playthings. I spied a book of very interesting paper dolls. Mrs. Lee gave them to me. Betty's reply: 'I always wondered what happened to those paper dolls.' "
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Gloria remains chair of the UUCT concert committee although she doesn't recall a concert since 2019. She looks forward to them starting up again.
"March 7, 1996, was our first concert," she told me in 2006. "It featured singer-songwriter Rachel Bissex from Vermont. Rachel coached me on how to do the concerts.
"I then went nuts and started organizing concert after concert for 23 years. I think a good estimate of the total number of concerts is approximately 200."
After musicians received their cut from concerts, the church got the profits. Refreshments were donated and their sale also brought in money. Sometimes she and her partner, Craig Reller, paid the expenses of musicians they "dearly loved." And the musicians loved them back. The Still on the Hill duo made the artwork above.
I met Gloria when I worked at the Tampa Tribune. She was a great promoter of concerts and the church!
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Remembering Cay
by Candy Gale
Our friend Cay Cahalin died May 16. Her daughter, Siobhan, summed it up best: "My mom has moved on to her next great adventure. She lived every bit of her life to the fullest. Her passing will leave a void, but there are endless memories of parties, trips and adventures to fill the space."
You can contact the Care Committee at [email protected] for addresses for Desmond and Siobhan. Rest in peace Cay. We will miss you!
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Are You New to the Church?
by Christine Smith
Are you new to the church or do you know someone who would like to know more about the UUCT? As we come to the end of the COVID-19 shutdown, we look forward to welcoming guests and prospective members.
Contact [email protected] and we will provide a personal introduction to the church, through a phone interview. This will be similar to the First on First sessions that were held after the first service of the month. We look forward to talking with you!
As of May 19, the church had 104 members, including one new member. There have been no resignations since Jan. 1.
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Investment Drives Start for HOPE
by Robert Boileau
The HOPE Justice Ministry's Individual Investment Drive is in progress, and we encourage our UUCT members and friends to donate.
The Corporate Investment Drive is also underway. We need one spokesperson and 3 or 4 support people for each corporate visit. As a support person, your role is to support the spokesperson with your presence and reflect HOPE's diversity.
The goal is to build relationships of mutual respect with business leaders by showing them how our work benefits them and how it is in their self-interest to donate to HOPE, and when needed, provide issue support to county decision makers.
In other news, the latest count found at least 2,000 people attended the first virtual Nehemiah Action March 22 in Tampa.
On May 3, Sheriff Chad Chronister announced changes to the Juvenile Arrest Avoidance Program: "To ensure that more juveniles who make a minor mistake are given the opportunity to avoid having an arrest record and can get necessary support services, enrollment in JAAP will now include all first-time misdemeanor offenses and be mandatory, absent certain extraordinary circumstances." HOPE had pushed for this change since 2014.
A virtual Justice Ministry Celebration was held May 24. For more information, contact me [email protected]. |
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Election for CUUPS Council
CUUPS Council positions are up for election at noon June 20. Voting will be via Zoom. The positions are: facilitator/scheduler, vice chair, treasurer, scribe and herald/web-weaver. Anyone who is a member of CUUPS national is eligible to vote. To register with CUUPS national, visit http://cuups.org/Become-a-CUUPS-Member. One-year membership is $25. You will need your membership number to vote.
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