In 2017, we raised more than $4.5 million in our Capital Campaign, Not for Ourselves Alone: Building an Inclusive Future , for renovations that will improve our church's accessibility, hospitality, welcoming presence, and education & meeting spaces; allow us to address deferred maintenance; and improve the worship experience through enhancements to the sanctuary. 

After a careful and thoughtful planning process, grounded in the  priorities identified during our capital campaign and gathered from the congregation in focus groups and listening sessions,  we are proceeding with Phase 1 of the project, which includes renovations to the Education Wing, Chalice Room (which will become the new Cummins Room) and Atrium.

Phase 1 begins May 18. Over the course of this summer we will:

• Renovate the education wing to create religious education and adult meeting spaces that better meet our needs, two banks of gender-neutral restrooms (one on each floor), and a multi-use room that can accommodate a family living with us for an extended period of time. 
• Turn the atrium into a welcoming and accessible central entrance with a dedicated in-person greeting station.
• Move offices to the first floor next to the atrium, creating more efficient and welcoming workspaces for staff and congregants. 
• Convert the Chalice Room into the new Cummins Room - an accessible, welcoming space for the community and the congregation. 
• Complete critical repairs including roofing, electrical, and HVAC upgrades.

On April 23, Rev. Jen Crow shared that Phase 1 of our upcoming building renovations will focus on the Education Wing, following instruction from the Board of Trustees that the project be broken into phases.  That announcement and outline of the two phases can be read here.

A congregational meeting was held on  Sunday, April 26 at 1 p.m. via Zoom to share drawings and information and answer questions.  Watch the recording from that meeting here.

• Study how the congregation interacts with each other and with staff and identify any deficiencies or concerns;
• Evaluate the role of other church-related outlets such as the CyberCoffee Hour listserv and the Church Facebook page, in congregant interactions;
• Consider how congregant relationships and communications may reinforce white supremacy within the congregation;
• Determine whether First Universalist Church would benefit from adopting a Congregational Covenant or Code of Conduct, and, if so, draft language for consideration by the Board of Trustees for presentation to the congregation at a meeting of the membership;
• Consider mechanisms for interrupting congregant conduct that may be inconsistent with the congregation's covenants for being in relationship with each other and with staff; and
• Make other recommendations to the Board of Trustees as the task force deems appropriate.