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Hello BUUF Members and Friends,
Most of us have found the results of the recent election disappointing, to say the least. Truth be told, I found it to be soul crushing. It begs the question: What now?
Firstly, let us all tend to our own self-care. For me, I’ve decided to seek out beauty wherever I can find it. I am delving deeply into music and art and enjoying both in any medium I can find them. I also want to appreciate beauty in human compassion, the sort I see manifesting itself all over the congregation. This kindness and compassion are inspiring to me and is of great solace. I am trying to appreciate the suffering that has led us to this situation.
I appreciate the community that is BUUF and its aid to my healing process. I also ask what sort of pain has brought us to such a low level of empathy and political discourse as a nation. I want to be sensitive to and understand that pain. How has our culture become so ill? What can I do to aid in healing?
When I see people of different political beliefs than my own, I do not see enemies, I see family and friends. I see people that have much in common with me. I see people I can share a joke with or a cup of tea, or sorrow in the loss of a friend or loved one. In other words, another human being. Understand, I do get angry. I do get depressed and am in constant battle against despair, but I strive to remember who I am. I try to remember my Bodhisattva vows and I try to remember my inner compassion. There is already plenty of hate in the world, nobody needs it from me.
I am elated and grateful for the wonderful town hall meeting we had and its contribution to the Chalan Property discernment process. I believe that the discussion provided positive results, and we are well on our way to deciding about the future of The Chalan property as a congregation. We explained each of the options we are considering at various stations facilitated by individual board members. We got useful feedback through conversations, a straw poll and written questions. Options three (selling the property outright, and four (hybrid development) seem to have the inside track but all options are still on the table at this point. The board, your minister and church staff welcome any feedback you might have. Please do not hesitate to communicate with us. Comments can also be made online. We intend to have another Town Hall in February to continue the discussion. See the Chelan Discernment link on the BUUF website.
Even after the decision is made there are going to be questions and a lot of fine tuning. The old saying “The Devil is in the details” fits here very well. We want this to be an open and participatory process for the whole congregation from beginning to end. We value you all as a great source of creativity.
In other areas, regretfully, Steve Aycock is stepping down as Board Treasurer, he will be missed but he has agreed to stay until January. The good news is Sue Langley has agreed to step up and serve as our treasurer. Most of us know Sue for the beautiful music she often provides for our services, but she also has had a long career in financial management and accounting. We are looking forward to the great skill she will bring to the board process.
Also, I would like you to be aware of a viewing of a video conversation between UUA President Sofia Betancourt and UU Service Committee President Mary Katherine Morn entitled “UU Theological Grounding For Climate Justice” This viewing will be after the service on Sunday, January 12th. This is an important topic as if we are to participate in climate activism, it is helpful to know the Unitarian Universalist Foundation of our climate actions. Please join Erin Logan and the BUUF Climate Action Team for this video and conversation afterward.
As always, it is my honor and pleasure to serve as this years Board President. I appreciate the hard work and cohesiveness of my fellow board members who are not only my fellow congregants but have also become my friends. I also appreciate the support of the many congregants who have been so kind and generous to me and the rest of the board so far in this church program year. Thank you all for all that you do.
Yours in fellowship,
Rob Ham
BUUF Board President
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