President’s Letter
Dear Church Family,
It was the turn
of the Millennium -- 2001 -- when we launched our first long-range plan. There was excitement about the birth of a
new century and a new chapter in the history of the Unitarian Universalist
Church of Ft. Lauderdale. It was an
optimistic time. We were filled with
dreams for our congregation, our children, and our community.
Many of those
dreams are now a living demonstration of our liberal religious values. Beautiful and spacious buildings and grounds
for worship, religious education, adult programs, music, community events, and
relaxation. A vibrant and growing
membership. A superb staff. Sound finances. And a growing impact on our community. All without losing the openness that's always made this church
unique. Now, more than ever, we're
known as the church of the Open Mind -- Helping Hands -- and Loving Heart. What a long way we've come in just five
years.
Before we look
ahead to the next phase of our planning, let's take a little time to consider
where we are and what we've accomplished so far.
In 2000, our
Endowment generously granted us $20,000 to improve our building and
property. We put on a new, 30-year
roof, did repairs and upgrades, and increased our pride in our beautiful
buildings and grounds. It was a
wonderful starting point.
Our Building
Expansion Committee formed an effective partnership with our architect and
landscape designer to create an intentional plan that honored our desire to
expand in harmony with the environment.
An early
addition was the garage. It gave us
some breathing space by relieving our storage crunch and made maintenance
easier for our Custodian/Gardener and the Building & Grounds Committee.
Our lovely
wooded site of native trees and plants leaves space for rituals and retreats
and encounters with butterflies, squirrels, and geckos. It grows more inviting every year. Locations for our labyrinths were
identified -- one for our 7-circuit
Crete design and the other for our 12-circuit Charters design. An increasing number of people are drawn to
spend time with us in reflection and renewal.
Our Memorial Garden reminds us: "Memory is Where the Proof of Life
is Stored." There have been many
before us who provided the stewardship so that UUCFL would be here for all of
us today. We continue faithfully in
that tradition.
Do you remember
the groundbreaking for Walden Hall? It
seems like only yesterday we set the cornerstone and celebrated UUCFL's long
history of welcoming
groups that found it difficult to secure
space. Thoreau continually inspires our
intentional commitments to social justice, the environment, and life-long
reflective living. Walden Hall provides
an open forum for the community.
There's so much
going on here at the Church it seems we're constantly open. The large and small spaces make room for
committee meetings and community groups, adult RE courses, choir rehearsals,
yoga and tai chi classes, and support group meetings. The bookstore is abuzz with new and classic titles as well as
many ways to proclaim our liberal faith -- including t-shirts, mugs, and
more. The Journey keeps us in touch so we're sure not to miss out on the
excitement and opportunities.
And there are special events like our
Churches in Cooperation fellowship events and the Empty Bowls meal we hosted
last month to support the Cooperative Feeding Program. Did anyone imagine we could feed that many
people?
Now there's
plenty of room on the enlarged patio for coffee hour as well as cookouts,
picnics and our annual Canvass dinner.
It's great to hear the good cheer of those who cook and clean up
saying "I'm glad we spent the
money to do it right -- the kitchen's big enough for all of us and has just the
right equipment."
You can easily
see the children climbing and exploring on the new playground. We are increasingly providing childcare
during events to encourage parents to participate.
It's hard to
ignore our new sign out front. Part
sculpture, part marquee,
it captures the imagination with our distinct brand of sermons and
announcements. Our concert and lecture
series -- as well as the rummage sale -- have a devoted following.
It's Sunday
morning, however, that shows the heart of our congregation most clearly. Members and friends greet each other warmly,
asking about family and friends, and welcoming visitors and new members as if
they've been there all along.
The variety of
services presents a rich spiritual tapestry.
Hymns and music fill our space and our hearts. The new sound system, improved acoustics, and, of course, the
pipe organ are great additions. The
sharing of joys & concerns knits us together. Sermons and readings by Rev. Gail, visitors and members offer
insight and inspiration that linger through the week. We often find ourselves passing the message on to others. It's gotten to the point where people simply
don't want to miss Sunday's service.
And the word has spread far beyond our congregation to the larger
community and beyond.
The great
flowering of ideas and programs has attracted more and more visitors all the
time on Sundays and to weekday programs as well. Art decorates our spaces -- inside and out -- adding to the
satisfaction of visiting with us.
As we approach
175 members and 50 children, we've drawn the circle larger and still maintained
the feeling of belonging. We continue
to be an intentionally diverse
congregation, including African-Americans and
Hispanics among our members. Our
theologies are diverse as well, with thriving affinity groups. Our ages span from newborns to those of
retirement age. Members represent all
sexual preferences and a wide range of occupations and economic levels.
It's an active
membership that's always ready to shoulder the tasks of running special
programs, working with our sister UU congregations and the District and
stepping into leadership positions in the Church itself. We balance our time with relaxation and
enjoyment of each other's company.
Five years ago,
it was hard to imagine we could reach this point. It's taken so much time and talent. It has also taken treasure.
We're indebted to the visionaries who left substantial contributions to
the Endowment for building expansion, and to today's visionaries who have
turned our dreams into reality with the utmost responsibility. Our wise investment in ourselves has yielded
a building that provides us with a beautiful church home as well as substantial
rental income from programs and community groups.
The reason for
our thriving finances is simple: sharp financial planning.
I remember when we came up with that plan, showing us exactly what we needed to
do in order to reach our goals. How
much money we needed to raise in capital and operating funds, how many members
we needed, and a reasonable schedule of how much members should
contribute. Our sound accounting
practices served us well, giving us a clear picture at all times at all times
of where our money's been spent and where we stand. In fact, we've done better than projected, and now have a surplus
we can use for the next phase of our growth.
Now we've
become known in Broward County as a Church that lives its commitment to
tolerance and diversity. It hasn't
always been easy. But through the tough
times we've honored Francis David's quote: "We need not think alike to
love alike: and have emerged with our love deepened.
I recall the
first time I encountered that special quality about UUCFL. There was a welcoming feeling I'd really
never known before from an institution.
It was a key reason so many of us took the step of joining the Church,
making a commitment that's helped bring faith and meaning to our lives. It's so easy for an institution to lose that
intimacy as it grows.
In two years, we'll
celebrate our 50th Anniversary.
Happily, I can report this Church has not lost that feeling, that
atmosphere. You can see it in the
smiles you see around you, the warmth you feel when you're here.
It's a golden time for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ft. Lauderdale.
In love and community,
Mary Teslow
Your President