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Hello BUUF Members and Friends,
Fall has officially arrived! The temperatures are finally dropping, and the air is clearing. It was a rough summer with record temperatures and smoky skies, and we made it through. Climate Change science tells us that we can only expect more summers like this to come. I am proud of the BUUF commitment to be carbon neutral by 2050. We will all have to work together to meet this challenge. And we are already off to a good start.
I am happy to report that the HVAC upgrade project is well underway and going well. You may have noticed the equipment and materials around the fellowship. Sorry for the mess! But we are grateful to the contractor and crews that have made this project run smoothly with minimal interruption to our operations. The brand new, reliable and eco-friendly HVAC system will be up and running very soon, well in time for the winter months.
This project is only possible thanks to the generosity of you, our community. I also want to thank the volunteers and leaders who have worked so hard to make this project happen. From vision, to design, to fundraising, to implementation, many people have given many hours toward the success of this project. Thank you! We are already planning for the next phase of the capital campaign projects with the update to our Serene Sanctuary. You will hear more about this in the coming months. Stay tuned.
As I mentioned in my last message, one of the priorities of this year’s Board is discernment of the future of the Chelan property. For those who are unfamiliar with the Chelan property, BUUF owns the .9 acre parcel of land on the east side of the BUUF grounds. You may have noticed the horse corral and the assorted animals that roam this property just beyond the Grove. There are two occupied, residential units situated on the parcel. BUUF is the landlord for these two homes which are rented at below the market rate. This is one way that we live our mission and values out in the world by providing low cost homes to folks who may otherwise not be able to afford housing. The property was originally purchased with the intent of expanding the campus in the future.
The Board believes that the time has come for us to decide about the long-term use of this property. Do we continue as we have, knowing that the maintenance and management costs that accompany being a landlord are likely to continue to increase? Do we sell the property with the intention that the profits will go towards sustaining our mission in other ways? Do we partner with another organization in order to put the property to use for social justice purposes? The Board is evaluating all of these questions and more to determine if continued ownership of the property is the best use of resources toward fulfilling our strategic vision for the future of BUUF. We invite you, the congregation, to come along with the Board on this discernment process.
Please plan to join the Board on Sunday, November 3,
following worship, for the Fall Board Town Hall.
Folks will have the chance to learn more about the various options the Board is discussing for the future of the Chelan property. We'll invite you to rotate through various stations focused on one specific option so you can ask questions and provide feedback to the Board. A final decision on how to proceed with the Chelan property will be voted on by the congregation at our annual meeting in May 2025. More information will be made available in the coming months. Your board and staff look forward to your input.
Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the crispness of the air and the changing colors of the trees. It’s a time of letting go of the past year and looking forward to a winter's nap, followed by the renewal of spring. I look forward to the continued fellowship and friendship that is the BUUF experience. Blessings to you all.
Yours in fellowship,
Rob Ham
BUUF Board President
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