ANNUAL REPORTS for 2013 – 2014 Church Year May 2014

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF READING

ANNUAL REPORTS For 2013 – 2014 Church Year May 2014

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF READING ANNUAL REPORTS 2013-2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Report of the Minister Page 3 Report of the Nominating Committee Page 7 Report of the Governing Board President Page 8 Report of the Vice President for Finance Page 12 Report of the Vice President for Planning Page 14 Report of the Vice President for Programs Page 15 Report of the Intern Minister Page 17 Report of the Choir Director Page 18 Report of the Interim Faith Development Director Page 19 Report of the Member Services and Volunteer Coordinator Page 21 Report of the Adult Enrichment Committee Page 23 Report of the Archives Committee Page 24 Report of the Building Usage Committee Page 25 Report of the Chalice Circle Coordinator Page 26 Report of the Committee On Ministry Page 27 Report of the Communications Task Force Page 28 Report of the Ferry Beach Weekend Committee Page 29 Report of the Green Sanctuary Committee Page 29 Report of the Helping Hands Committee Page 30 Report of the Intern Committee Page 30 Report of the Investment Committee Page 31 Report of the Ivy Chord Coffee House Coordinator Page 32 Report of the Membership Team Page 33 Report of the Music Committee Page 35 Report of the Partner Church Committee Page 36 Report of the Pastoral Care Team Page 37 Report of the Personnel Committee Page 38 Report of the Property Committee Page 39 Report of the Safe Congregation Committee Page 40 Report of the Sawyer Nursery School Committee Page 41 Report of the Website & Electronic Communications Committee Page 42 Report of the Welcoming Committee Page 44 Report of the Worship Arts Team Page 44 Addendum from the Green Sanctuary Team Page 46

An electronic version of this Annual Report is available on the church website, www.uureading.org . We encourage all those who can to read the electronic version.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Minister May 2014

It was a year of some real highs and some real challenges. As a church community, we welcomed Melissa Martin as our Member Services and Volunteer Coordinator; and Mary Neumann as Choir Director; and cheered the arrival of Deb Weiner as our Interim Director of Faith Development. We faced some real tension and complications around issues of staffing and the direction of programing in our children’s Faith Development Program. Rosemary Fiori, our hard working church administrator, went out on extended medical leave in January, creating a void that staff and volunteers struggled to fill. We had a most enjoyable and community- building Operating Budget Drive. We began to take a hard look at how competing values within the church community can cause division, prevent us from being all that we could be, and keep us from growing in ways that our leadership and our long-range plan envision. New faces and new families continued to come through the door on Sunday morning and a palpable spirit of warmth and welcome embraced them. We launched a new social action endeavor - Make A Difference Sunday - which provided a monthly, multi-age opportunity to do something to make a difference in the world. Our hearts were touched and inspired by our Coming of Age class. We learned and grew from our Helping Hands partnership with Mill City Grows in downtown Lowell. Cooking a monthly meal for Bread and Roses, a soup kitchen in downtown Lawrence, became an official program for the church. We held our first annual Pancake Supper Sunday, with pancakes cooked by our Coming of Age Youth and their parents and their mentors; Fellowship Hall was packed.

Worship services ranged from earth-focused themes such as “For The Beauty of the Earth—An Earth Day Celebration” and “The Ocean in Winter: Reading Nature’s Scripture” to complex societal issues such as “Labor Day and the Myth of Making it in America” and “Non-Violence vs. Pacifism: A Buddhist Perspective.” Spirituality infused our sanctuary in such services as “How To Grow Your Soul,” “Finding Your Faith,” “The Things You Can’t Control,” and “Lord, What Might Have Been?” We addressed church dynamics in “Transparency and Trust,” “The Heart Outside Our Hearts,” and “When Values Collide.” Our Worship Arts Team did their usual magic for a creative and moving “Annual Thanksgiving Bread Communion” and two Christmas Eve Services. Guest speakers included Rev. Mark Kiyamba, minister of the Unitarian Universalist church in Kampala, Uganda, as well as other guest sermons on such diverse topics as serving as a Unitarian Universalist Army Chaplain in Afghanistan, living through life transitions, and creating a new story of creation through the weaving of scientific theory and spiritual narrative. I also coordinated two earth-based candlelight Wednesday night worship services – one for the Winter Solstice and one celebrating “Signs of Life in the Mid Winter.” We also had several Sunday evening intergenerational worship and supper events that were popular and well attended, including “Pizza, Pagans and Pumpkins” and “Pizza, Pagans and Pinecones.”

Due to challenges in our children’s Faith Development program, I gave much time and energy in that area, and was unable to teach any Adult Enrichment classes this year, with the exception of our multi-offering “Unitarian Universalist Basics – An Introduction to our Faith.” I was actively involved with SHYP (Senior High Youth Program), as we made adjustments to the program to

3 strengthen it, and also was more involved with this year’s Coming of Age class than in past years. I also worked very closely with the Faith Development Committee, a dedicated and inspiring group of hardworking and visionary volunteers. I served on the search committee for our Interim Director of Faith Development, and have worked closely and collaboratively with Deb Weiner since her arrival.

I also served on the search committees for our new Member Services Coordinator (hired in September 2013), for our Interim Director of Faith Development (who arrived in December, 2013), for our new Intern Minister (who will arrive in August 2014), and an office temp.

The pastoral care needs of the congregation remain high, due to age and illness. Our Pastoral Care Team works hard at keeping in caring contact with many congregants.

I’ve been an active collaborator with the Operating Budget Drive, the Right Relations (Covenant) Task Force, and continue to be involved in preliminary planning for our upcoming special campaign.

In April, continuing my on-going study of the Middle East, I traveled to Iran. It was an eye- opening experience, and a perfect complement to my earlier travels in Afghanistan and Iraq.

A highlight of the year was being asked to write a feature article on my travels in Afghanistan and Iraq for The UU World, the national magazine of Unitarian Universalism. The resulting article, “War Zone Sabbatical,” was published in the spring issue, and included color photos I’d taken in the two countries. It was meaningful to have the opportunity to share the stories of those I’d met overseas with the larger Unitarian Universalist movement. (http://www.uuworld.org/ideas/articles/293239.shtml)

Per Governing Board wishes and my desire, and in support of the congregation’s desire to cultivate a more engaged social justice/social action identity, I have taken opportunities to be visibly engaged in social justice work and public advocacy on issues that are in alignment with our Unitarian Universalist values. I testified at the State House in support of raising the minimum wage and also in support of the Death With Dignity initiative.

I currently serve as president of the Mass Bay District Chapter of the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association, and serve on the Board of Directors of UU Mass Action (the state-wide social justice legislative advocacy group). I also serve as the official ministerial mentor for a UU minister in his first settled ministry.

I conduct a monthly Communion Service for the residents of Longwood Place Assisted Living. Several of our resident congregants attend.

My professional development for the year has included a series of consultations with ministerial consultant Rev. Deborah Pope-Lance, regarding conflict and complicated dynamics in congregations; a two day Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression/Multiculturalism training for ministers; a three-day training from the American Management Association entitled “Successfully Managing People;” and a one day intensive “Effective Staff Supervision in Religious Organizations” with

4 an Alban Institute trainer. I also participated in a special District workshop offered by Sue Phillips, our District Executive, for several congregations in the area that had undergone difficult staff transitions. Sue also came to UUCR with a modified version of that workshop and offered it to our congregation.

As our year draws to an end, we bid farewell to Intern Minister Betsy Tabor, who completes a successful two-year internship with us. It has been a professional pleasure to mentor Betsy and watch her grow into her ministerial identity. She has done great work and offered the congregation much, especially this year with her support of the Faith Development Program, specifically the Coming of Age program. I also want to thank Sharyn Taitz for coordinating volunteer office help in Rosemary Fiori’s absence, and for taking on three days a week herself. Thanks to Phyllis Senier and Marcia Kent for covering Mondays and Fridays, and to those who also helped out when needed.

Lastly, I want to lift up our hard-working Governing Board. Very few in the congregation actually see how much time, energy, love, ideas, sweat and tears that your Governing Board members share in their dedication to serving YOU, the mission of this church, and our larger Unitarian Universalist movement. As the year closes, Chad DaGraca ends his time as treasurer, after many, many hours tending to the financial health of the church. At-large members Christine Lusk and Robbie Kohn also conclude their dedicated service. And, after three years of devoted leadership, Tracy Sopchak, our Governing Board President, will return to civilian life in the pews. Tracy loves this church and our Unitarian Universalist faith. She understands church dynamics and church systems. She has given so much of herself for three years. She has accomplished so much during her presidency, and she has led us with a caring and wise heart. We owe her our gratitude and appreciation. It has been a personal joy to work in close partnership with Tracy.

Respectfully submitted, Rev. Tim Kutzmark

New Members note: list does not include people who will become members on June 15, 2014. Rosemary Kierstead, June 9, 2013 Ann Garrett, November 17, 2013 Maria Kempner, November 17, 2013 Rebecca O’Neill, November 17, 2013 Susan Orsillo, November 17, 2013 Paul Turecamo, November 17, 2013 Effie Stavrulaki, November 17, 2013 Halldor Sigfusson, November 17, 2013 Jody Avtges, November 17, 2013 Alec Kealing, November 17, 2013 Kevin Kealing, November 17, 2013 Jennifer Polverari, November 17, 2013 Eleanor Russo, March 16, 1014

Fedela Vincent, March 16, 2014 Bob Vincent, March 16, 2014

Weddings Megan McQueeney and Jared Bly, August 9, 2013

Deaths Marcia Green Oyer (member), August 23, 2013 Dominic John Russo (husband of Eleanor Russo, member), January 2, 2014 Eugene Foster Richey (member), April 14, 2014

Child Dedications William Matthew Patterson, son of Erin and Ryan Patterson, November 13, 2013

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Nominating Committee May 2014

The Nominating Committee is charged with proposing candidates for the Governing Board. These nominees will be presented for election at the annual meeting of the church, which will be held on Mary 18, 2014. As of this submission, the members of the Governing Board and the nominees for open positions follow:

Governing Board President: Jane Jolkovski (1 year term – first year in position) Vice President for Programs: Sharyn Taitz (1 year term – first year in position) Vice President for Planning: Matt Wilson (1 year term – tenure began in 2013) Vice President for Finance: David Oakes (1 year term – tenure began in 2012) Treasurer: Donna Dudley (1 year term – first year in position) At-Large Members Phoebe Johnson (first year of two year term) Andy Friedmann (first year of two year term) Molly Smith (Completing an open one year term)

Auditor: Chad DaGraca (2 year term)

Moderator: Geoff Beckwith (2 year term)

People serving or completing their terms of service during the 2014-2015 church year are: Governing Board: At-Large Members Eric Gaffen (2nd year of two year term) Nancy Nienhuis (2nd year of two year term)

Nominating Committee: Member and Chair: Fran Sansalone (last year of 3 year term*) Member: Andy Furst (2nd year of 3 year term)

*Fran Sansalone filled the position left open when Jean Hanson resigned from the Nominating Committee upon moving from Reading.

Our search will continue to fill the following position: Nominating Committee: Member: To be determined (3 year term)

The By-laws hold that filling of openings for elected positions outside of the annual meeting is done through appointment by the Governing Board.

Respectfully Submitted, Dru Wood-Beckwith (chair) Fran Sansalone Andy Furst

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Governing Board President May 2014

A Change of Plan This was not the year for which the board had planned, but, none-the-less, it has been a year of important discovery and growth for the congregation. This year, the board had planned to build upon the momentum we had started last year when we initiated the planning of a special campaign - aimed at paying off our mortgage, addressing delayed campus maintenance, and increasing funding for programs and staff salaries – so that we could all more freely contribute to the shared ministry of our church in support of our mission. (Even though we were only in the planning stages last year, the campaign resulted in a $100,000 donation to pay down the mortgage principle and a mortgage refinance which reduced our annual payments by $18,000, as well as an additional $15K gift). Further, the board had planned to complete the Right Relations Covenant work that we researched last year, and also to lay the groundwork for increased lay leadership development and improved church communications. Instead, the board found ourselves this year managing issues related to a deeply-rooted systemic dynamic which exists at UUCR, related to authority, leadership and staff supervision that inhibits our growth - in terms of our membership - but also in terms of our maturity as an organization and our impact on our community and in our world.

UUCR has grown over the past couple decades from a church where everyone knew each other, where everyone had a say in every decision and where nearly all of the administrative and educational work was completed by congregants; to a church where new people are visiting and joining us all the time, where a representative government model is used to effectively lead the organization, where a committee structure is used to efficiently manage a large workload and where hired staff carry most of the administrative and educational workload. Like most churches our size, our institutional growth has outpaced our cultural growth. We have in place most of the structure we need to handle our size but our culture has not quite caught up, because we have not fully embraced our need to empower and trust decision makers alongside our need to delegate work and authority to them.

A Repeated Pattern The systemic dynamic to which I am referring was highlighted so skillfully by Rev. Sue Phillips, our Unitarian Universalist Association District Representative, with whom the Governing Board worked closely over the summer and throughout the year. (Sue’s investment in our church culminated in a March 15th Workshop for the leadership of UUCR and the Arlington and Winchester UU churches (who face similar growth/authority dynamics) and again in a workshop on May 5th at UUCR for our congregation). Sue highlighted for us a repeating pattern at UUCR, whereby we delegate authority to a board, a committee, a lay leader or a staff member but when they make a decision with which we disagree or handle a situation in a way we don’t agree with, we undermine their authority by attempting to bring about the decision we want by enlisting the efforts of a third party (or parties) to intervene. Once the third party agrees to engage in this way, a destructive triangle is created. Sue helped us to understand that UUCR is far from “special” in this pattern. Indeed, it seems to exist in many, if not most, UU churches of our size, particularly as it relates to staff supervision. Sue also helped us to focus in on the pattern at play and not on

8 the people involved. Indeed, the people involved over the past 15 years in this pattern at UUCR, from the minister to the Governing Board members to the staff members to the congregants involved, have all changed faces but the pattern that plays out between them remains. The simple fact is that so long as UUCR continues to repeat this pattern we will inhibit our growth and our impact on the world.

The Governing Board’s Work This Year The Governing Board worked closely this year with Sue Phillips, the Personnel Committee and the Committee on Ministry to take a hard look at this dynamic, and even though it was not our planned agenda for the year, it was a vitally important one. The board’s work this year centered around identifying and understanding this pattern better and highlighting where technical fixes (i.e. bylaw, policy, procedure, best practice, committee structure) were needed and where adaptive change could be fostered. As of this writing, we are still finalizing these efforts with the help of a review by the Personnel Committee which we commissioned. We also furthered the covenant work started last year by working with the Safe Congregation Committee to draft a covenant for the congregation to consider implementing next year. As of this writing, we are in the process of completing the draft for board approval. The covenant provides us with a framework to fully embrace our diversity of needs and opinions by effectively navigating the conflict which inevitably accompanies it. One component of the covenant calls for direct conflict resolution and avoidance of triangulation.

In addition to these measures, the board developed for ourselves a set of “Trust & Transparency” goals to help increase communication between the board and the congregation. Some of these we have already implemented this year, including the introduction of Board Meeting Headlines, which we issue electronically just after a board meeting so that people can quickly understand what we’ve done without having to wait 6 weeks to read our official meeting minutes. Additionally, we began to include short announcements in the Sunday order-of-service because it is one of the most reliable information venues at UUCR. We have also begun to increase our invitation of congregants and other committees to our meetings so that our meetings are more inclusive and vibrant (board meetings are always open to every UUCR congregant). Additionally, in FY15, the board plans to implement the following items: (1) expand on the ways of disseminating board-related information (i.e. social media, email, mailings, Instagram & twitter); (2) man a table at coffee hour to increase board recognition and accessibility; (3) introduce “Ask the Board!“ - an informal method for congregants to ask informational questions, the response to which can be shared with the full congregation by posting on the website; (4) introduce a formal Grievance Procedure and/or Policy by which congregants can communicate a grievance to the board, who will then follow a formal response protocol. As of this writing, the board is close to approval of FY15 goals in two other areas: Lay Leadership Development and Ownership of Church’s Mission and Vision.

Rev. Tim and the Personnel Committee complemented the work of the board in several ways this year. As part of his ongoing professional development, Tim worked with ministerial consultant Rev. Deborah Pope-Lance, who has expertise coaching ministers who work in churches with complex dynamics. Tim also completed a three day managerial intensive offered by the American Management Association. Also, in April, Rev. Tim, Intern Minister Betsy Tabor and Sharyn Taitz, co-chair of the Personnel Committee, attended a workshop (Effective Staff

Supervision in Religious Organizations, by Sue Beaumont). The Personnel Committee also completed a comprehensive staff check-in process which highlighted a high level of staff satisfaction with employment at UUCR and with supervision by Rosemary and Rev. Tim. Also, Deb Weiner came onboard as our Interim Director of Faith Development (through June 2015). Deb held Community Conversations to gather information from the congregation regarding their wishes for the Faith Development program.

Additional board work this year included streamlining and simplification of the policy adoption procedure and reestablishment of the UUCR Policy Book by gathering policy background of recent years and by enlisting the Archives Committee in a review of board records listing passage of policy. The board passed Policy #5 Budget Surplus, which calls for the board to automatically put any surplus funds at the close of a fiscal year into our endowment, and Policy #6 CORI/SORI of Volunteer Teachers (see the website for full listing).

The Governing Board Team This year, Jane Jolkovski, David Oakes, Matt Wilson (V.P.s of Programs, Planning and Finance respectively), Rev. Tim and I worked very closely together as the Executive Board Team to plan the Governing Board meeting agendas and define the direction of the board. Chad DaGraca continued to serve as Treasurer, Theo Noell as Clerk and Robbie Kohn and Christine Lusk as At- Large members. Betsy participated as our Intern Minister and we welcomed Nancy Nienhuis and Eric Gaffen as new At-Large board members. I so appreciate the trust, openness and respect that defined our work during this challenging and important year. Thank you all!

Chad DeGraca will be stepping down as Treasurer after this year, as will At-Large members Robbie Kohn and Christine Lusk. Each of these individuals has contributed an important and lasting impact on the work of the board and I would like to extend to them my deepest thanks. I would particularly like to highlight the dedicated efforts of Chad DaGraca. The work of the Treasurer is often overlooked because it’s not a position that requires much public communication. Yet the Treasurer is a vital position and requires a lot of time and effort. Chad provided many careful hours to accurately process our checks, answer staff benefit related questions, track our current fiscal budget and plan the next. Chad did all this consistently, professionally and with grace. Thank you Chad!

I am very excited by the leadership team that is forming for next year! Pending the May 18th congregational vote, Jane Jolkovski will be stepping up to lead the board as president, joined by Sharyn Taitz as V. P. Programs, Donna Dudley as Treasurer, Molly Smith, Andy Friedman and Phoebe Johnson as At Large members. Matt Wilson will be staying on as V. P. of Planning and will be putting together a strong Strategic Planning Team to further the Special Campaign which he will organize in partnership with David Oakes, who will be staying on as V. P. of Finance. This is a strong and talented team who I am confident will effectively and creatively build upon the foundational work of the past few years into a bright future for UUCR.

In Closing UUCR is a tremendous asset to so many lives, including my own, my husband Jim’s and my son Miles’. In UUCR, we have found thought provoking and music filled worship services and also adult enrichment and faith development classes, which have enabled us to inform and deepen our

10 personal spiritual search. We have found friends and church family members who have provided a warm spiritual home that gave us a sense of belonging. We have also found here, in the stillness of this sacred place and in the ever-present call to action in and through UUCR, our fire of commitment. UUCR has urged and prodded each of us to use and further develop our gifts and bring them into the world in service to others. We are better people because we are a part of UUCR and because UUCR has become a part of us. I hope that the next family who walks through those double doors on Woburn Street finds what we have found here and more. I would like to thank you all for the honor of asking me to lead our congregation these past 3 years. I have learned a great deal about myself, about our community and about our faith. I am proud to know that I have helped navigate this great ship just a bit further on its journey. I would especially like to thank my partner in leadership, Rev. Tim Kutzmark. Tim has been a consistent, positive and supportive partner throughout my presidency. His collaborative approach, conscientious manner and sense of humor have helped make this experience so much more successful, fulfilling and fun for me. Tim’s commitment to his congregation, his staff and to our faith is deep and unwavering. It has been my honor and my joy to serve in partnership with you Tim!

Best Regards, Tracy Sopchak UUCR Governing Board President

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the V. P. For Finance May 2014

We entered the 2013 – 2014 church year bolstered by a number of developments that positively impacted the financial position of the UUCR: 1) We completed the 2013 fiscal year (FY13) with a $17,024 surplus 2) The FY14 annual budget drive was very successful, raising approximately $425,000 from a record 195 pledges. 3) We negotiated a loan modification with the Reading Cooperative Bank in June, 2013 that reduced our interest rate from 6.5% to 4.75%. The reduced interest rate and principal reduction enabled by a $107 K anonymous donation have resulted in a reduction of our loan payments equal to approximately $18,000 per year. 4) We passed an FY14 budget that finally achieves fair compensation for our minister as determined by UUA guidelines. A significant fraction of the approximately $17 K surplus for FY13 was the direct result of about $10,000 in insurance rebates enabled by our Treasurer, Chad DaGraca’s discovering an error in our insurance policy going back several years that covered four buildings on our campus rather than three. The rest of the surplus was largely due to pledge and collection income exceeding our budget plan. The Governing Board approved setting aside $7,000 of the surplus dollars for Loring roof repairs, $2,500 for capital campaign consulting fees, $725 for worship expenses, and $500 to repair the office computer. The remainder (~$6,300) will be deposited into the UUCR investment fund. Despite these positive developments there remain areas of concern in our financial position. Ideally our savings/endowment should be at a level sufficient to cover at least six months of operations, or about $250,000. This level of savings would provide adequate resources to respond to most emergency situations (think the Community Hall floor repair) or to opportunities that might benefit from some short term modest investment. Our investment funds currently total about $70,000 which is well above the minimum level: $49,000 from 2011. We have recently been able to increase the balance of our investment funds due to contributions from two surplus budgets, gifts to the church, and positive investment returns in the last two years. This represents progress, but much remains to be accomplished to shore up our savings. In addition, despite reducing our loan payment by $18,000 this year through refinancing, this one expenditure remains at about 9% of our annual budget: $46K per year. The loan payment is consuming resources we could otherwise better utilize to accomplish our mission. The Governing Board, with the full support of the Finance Council, is continuing to plan for a Special Campaign that we anticipate launching in the spring of 2016 to retire the loan, address important church repair and maintenance needs and achieve other UUCR mission specific goals. The Finance Council continued to meet monthly this year to attend to the financial needs of the church. Church members that regularly attended Finance Council meetings this year include: Lynne Champion (At-large), Chad Da-Graca (Treasurer), Tim Kutzmark (Minister), M.J. Pelletier-Potvin (Gift Coordinator), David Oakes (VP Finance), Dakota Raine (Annual Budget Drive Committee chair), Judy Riley (Property Liaison), and Tracy Sopchak (President). The Finance Council goals this year included: 1) Reinstituting an annual audit of our finances, and 2)

Addressing some important finance policy needs. Lisa Wright, UUCR auditor, is currently conducting a limited audit of our FY13 finances. Lynne Champion has done admirable work spearheading the drafting of a Gift Receipt policy that we plan to complete by the end of the church year. This policy is intended to clearly define for all members and friends of the UUCR the manner in which the church accepts and utilizes gifts. We are currently also in the process of developing a Purchasing Policy to provide guidance on how the church staff and committees spend budgeted funds. As we continue to grow into and beyond a Program sized church, it is important that we have appropriate policies in place to provide clear guidance on how our $500,000 annual budget is spent. Finally, I would like to gratefully acknowledge Chad DaGraca, who is completing his term as Treasurer after 3+ years of dedicated service in this key role, supporting the financial health of our church. The UUCR, the Finance Council, the Governing Board and I, personally, have all benefitted greatly from Chad’s steady guidance and clear reports as he has overseen the UUCR finances over the last several years. Although he has completed his time as Treasurer, it is comforting to know that Chad, with his significant experience as both a CPA and financial advisor to a number of non-profits, will remain available to consult with on financial matters of importance to the UUCR. Respectfully Submitted, David Oakes, Vice President for Finance

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the V. P. for Planning March 2014

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading is a vibrant growing church poised for its next step of development. With a growing congregation, strong staff and expanded campus, the church has potential to provide an even more dynamic, nurturing and spiritual church for its congregation. UUCR is five years out from a successful building expansion and a congregational wide vision process to grow the congregation and its program. Today we face a number of challenges.  “Bridge to Tomorrow” UUCR’s bold strategic vision and plan for growth, articulated a set of pillars to guide its growth. Yet because of a lack of resources to fund the plan and ineffective plan for implementation, the implementation of this strategic document has been inconsistent.  As the membership of the church continues to grow, UUCR is making the transition from a minister’s ‘pastoral’ church where everyone knew each other to a ‘program’ church which relies in lay led committees and an expanded staff. We are a church in transition, working to evolve to the ‘program’ church model.  A sizeable mortgage to pay for our campus renovations has limited the church’s ability to invest in staff, campus maintenance, and new programs.

Special Campaign Roll Out To address these challenges and help the church continue to evolve into an effective ‘program’ church, UUCR is laying the groundwork for a two year special campaign to articulate a vision of the future and raise the necessary funds to do that. Specifically the initiative will:  Create a Planning Committee to guide the visioning and narrative of this two year initiative.  Strengthen the six core committees of the church (worship, faith development, membership, property, fellowship, and social action)  Refocus our mission and work to build congregational support around it and the core pillars of the B2T vision plan  Work with the committees to develop a vision for growth for the church  Raise money through a special campaign to provide the resources to implement the vision.

Respectfully submitted,

Matt Wilson, V. P. For Planning

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the V.P. for Programs May 2014

The V.P. for Programs leads the Program Council, which is comprised of the leaders/chairs of the committees of the church. This church year, Program Council met consistently on the third Monday of alternate months, starting in September. Approximately twelve lay leaders and several staff members participated in each meeting, representing Worship Arts, Committee on Ministry (COM), Adult Enrichment, Faith Development, Kris Kringle Fair, Communications Task Force, Intern Minister Committee, Membership, Welcoming Congregation, Archives, Helping Hands, Building Usage, Green Sanctuary, Partner Church, Ivy Chord Coffeehouse, and Ferry Beach weekend.

We reacquainted ourselves with the purpose of Program Council, which is multi-layered and includes: information sharing from the Governing Board, leadership development, mission alignment, problem-solving, and collaboration. In addition, I looked to the church Bylaws so we could better understand the overall structure of our programs, councils, and committees. Each of the three VPs leads a council: Program Council, Finance Council, and Planning Council.

Some committees, such as Faith Development, Membership, and Social Action – to name just a few – are stipulated by the Bylaws as core committees. (As an aside, I encourage everyone to become acquainted with our Bylaws – twelve articles that comprise the “rules of order” for our church.) Other committees arise from the passions and interests of a group of congregants. All committees are intended to help us align with and live out our mission. And sometimes we spread ourselves too thin because we care about so many important issues! We need to keep asking ourselves, are we living our mission, vision, and values in the work of our groups and committees?

This year we joyfully welcomed Melissa Martin as our new Member Services and Volunteer Coordinator and, in December 2013, Deb Weiner, our Interim Director of Faith Development through June 2015. We had strong leadership from seasoned and from new leaders, with several new and passionate contributors to Program Council. Melissa introduced her wonderful Committee Ambassador’s Program, and right away different committees stepped up to host services, including ushering, contributing flowers, making coffee, and hosting social hour.

At each Program Council, we joined in a connections activity such as, “tell us one thing about yourself that you think we don’t know.” We surprised and delighted each other. We came to know each other just a little bit better, a little more deeply. The stories that arose helped weave us together in new ways.

When we devoted an hour to brainstorming our “Big Fat Wish List” of ideas for leaders and leadership development, the suggestions flowed freely and with passion. We want to nurture our volunteers, to generate broad community involvement, to collaborate across committees, to have

15 ample volunteers, to build leadership from within, to develop succession plans and term limits, and to make participation easy, fun, and fulfilling.

This collection of suggestions, hopes, and wishes is being transformed into one of the primary goals that the Governing Board will focus on in the upcoming church year. We hear you!

Keep listening to each other and continue to say, thank you for all that you are and all that you do to create our beloved UUCR community, our blue boat home.

I hear you. I thank you.

“We are the ones we have been waiting for.”*

Respectfully submitted, Jane Jolkovski, Vice President for Programs

* Attributed to June Jordan, though multiple sources are cited.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Intern Minister May 2014

This final internship year built on last year’s learnings and broadened my ministerial skills.

By June, I will have led six UUCR Sunday worship services this year, three services at other UU churches, one wedding and two funerals. I have served as summer minister, leading four services, and collaborated with Tim and staff on vespers and family celebration worship—Water Communion, Thanksgiving, Christmas, MLK Sunday and Flower Communion Sunday—along with opening words, stories for all ages, reflections on the past week, prayers and benedictions.

My pastoral work has included being present to members in need and visiting those who are homebound, hospitalized and in hospice. When Rev. Tim was away, I was on call for all pastoral needs. In this work, I have appreciated the Pastoral Care Team, a deep well of compassion and pastoral capabilities—a valuable resource and a gift to this congregation.

The Intern Committee has offered ongoing wisdom and support, for which I am most grateful. Attending regular meetings of the Governing Board, Pastoral Care Team and Worship Arts Team, I’ve also learned a great deal on the hard-working Faith Development and Annual Pledge Drive teams.

2014 provided opportunities to minister in new ways. I created “Make a Difference Sunday,” the monthly program that gives people of all ages a way to engage in justice-seeking activities. Each Sunday has appealed to different populations in the church and brought out individuals’ passions and gifts. The early coffee hour has bustled with fun, fellowship and meaning. Members and families have collected signatures to increase minimum wage and earned sick time; sorted and packed donations for homeless people in Boston; baked cookies for the Bread and Roses soup kitchen; explored our privilege; and created flowers for a Pride Parade float. Twice this year, volunteers have traveled to Lowell, where we have helped create a new community garden.

Staff transitions led to my directing the Coming of Age program, blessed with a dream team of extraordinary mentors: Rob Craig-Comin, Theo Noell, Josh Ruminski, and Debbie Vince. The youth reflected on what matters to them. They entered into multi-generational church events and volunteered in projects in Lowell and Boston. Their explorations culminated in a joyous, moving celebration on May 4, which all who were present will long remember.

I cannot imagine a more enlightening or valuable internship site than this. Through thick and thin, UUCR’s core staff team and office volunteers have continued to bring a rare combination of commitment, expertise and fun to UUCR. I will ever be grateful to Rev. Tim for sharing his ministry, his gift for teaching, his dedication to excellence in supervision and his generous spirit.

Thankful for the many ways you have helped me grow as a minister, I will long hold in my heart the lively, engaged people of this old stone church.

Respectfully submitted, Betsy Tabor, Intern Minister

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Choir Director May 2014

In September, 2013, I began serving the UU Church of Reading as Choir Director and was warmly welcomed by the wonderful and talented members of the Adult choir. Several people were very helpful in assisting with my acclimation to the community, including: the members of the search committee headed by Elizabeth Lovell and Ron Cavicchio, who held a ‘meet and greet’ party to introduce me to the musicians of the church; Administrator Rosemary Fiore, who got me online and helped settle me in in so many ways; Music librarian and all-around great guy, Bill Grace, who helped me get to know the choir library holdings and gave me a brief history of the church; Barbara Bennett, who has wonderfully helped with all things sheet music; Radonna Crandlemire, who gave great help in getting to know the voices in the choir; Judy Riley, who gave sage musical and logistical advice upon request; Al Murray, for clueing me into the sound engineering wizardry he performs weekly for all of us; Pianist Organist Jennifer Maxwell, for her solid accompaniment; George White, for his amazing, affable and able accompaniment and substitution; and Rev. Tim, for his exuberant energy and care!

The choir has responded well to my creating a mix of old and new anthems to present in worship, has continued their well-established tradition of singing wonderfully and with great heart for at least three out of four Sundays per month, and has started to even enjoy a bit of a cappella singing. We have welcomed new voices to the ranks that are attending regularly and have many friends who sing with us for special services.

In December, we prepared for our Music Sunday service of French baroque composer Charpentier’s “Messe di Minuit pour Noel” with flutes and string orchestra, only to have the weather reschedule us to January for the event. An unusually snowy winter presented challenges to our rehearsals, but with their usual good humor and resilience, the choir persevered and provided excellent music for the congregation to enjoy.

In addition to leading the Adult choir at rehearsal and during worship, in November, I joined the choir in Caroling at the fabled Kris Kringle fair; organized and led a “Rise Up Singing” multigenerational sing-along during the “Pancake Supper” in March, helped lead singing at the Seder dinner in April, and provided flute and vocals for ‘special music’ at a few services.

I look forward to planning next year’s worship service music and Music Sunday presentations with this wonderful ensemble.

Respectfully submitted, Mary Neumann, UUCR Choir Director

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Interim Director of Faith Development May 2014

I began my work here at UUCR on December 15, 2013, so this is less of an annual report than a year-to-date set of observations and information. For this year, there are 143 children and youth registered for faith development programming, with adult membership at 311. This year, the congregation offered Nursery Care for our smallest ‘family’ members, ably administered by High School youth Ali Thome and Allie Cook, with the support of a cadre of fine volunteers from the church. I want to say a particular thanks to both of our teens, who have been responsible and caring child care providers and who are loved by our children. We offer Spirit Play for Pre-K and Kindergartners; a Spirit Play-influenced program called “Discovering Years” for grades 1-2-3; Bibleodeon, a solid curriculum introducing the Bible to grades 4-5-6. The UUA’s terrific program, Neighboring Faiths, has been offered to grades 7-8, Coming of Age to grade 9, and of course, our senior high youth have been connected to SHYP, the Senior High Youth Program.

I want to extend particular thanks to the Faith Development Team who have helped to lead this program. They are Michele Catalano, Lynne Champion, Lorraine Dennis, Robyn Matzke, Melissa Plowman, Leslie Raymond, and Katie Wheeler. Rev. Tim Kutzmark and Intern Minister Betsy Tabor have also been involved on the team, and they have all done wonderful, vital work in support of our families and children. Please make sure to say thank you to them when you see them next. In addition, our first and second term teachers, our Coming of Age mentors, and all those who have supported our program on special programming Sundays have led these programs with dedication and commitment, and they, as well, deserve our appreciation.

I came to the church following the departure of Anne Principe as faith development director. This was a difficult separation for the congregation, and I arrived with a charge to talk with members, former members, those who have served the congregation past and present, with the request that I examine the congregation’s past and present behaviors and practices, and make recommendations for its future. The hope is that, by the summer of 2015, this congregation will be headed toward a vital and dynamic Faith Development program that will serve children and youth joyfully and well, with excellence and vision.

Over the time that I have been here, I’ve met with Term 1 and Term 2 teachers, to get a sense of the strengths, challenges, and hopes that they hold for the future of faith development programs at the church. I offered five Community Conversations sessions in January and early February of 2014, to invite the congregation into dialogue about the things most valued here at UUCR; the frustrations and concerns experienced; and the visions held for the future of faith development at the church.

I met with more than fifteen other individuals in one-on-one sessions, to get a sense of perspective about the history of the church, the faith development program as it evolves, and where we might best go in the future. I’ve also been meeting with the Faith Development Committee each month, with staff of the Sawyer Nursery School, with my colleagues in religious education in the UUA’s Mass Bay District. And I’ve been participating in leading worship, have

19 had great conversations with folks in social hour, at Program Council and Safe Congregations meetings, and more.

And we’ve asked you questions through a survey on faith development, and another that specifically studies intergenerational worship and multi-generational Sunday programming. All these survey results, and the conversations we’ve had, are helping to shape the UUCR Faith Development program for next year, and beyond. We’re looking at new curricula, discussing themes, goals, looking at potential enrollment numbers, and more. This is an energizing time for us, and the work is good. Meanwhile, we have started to reach out to potential teachers for next year in earnest – now is the time to come to us before we contact you and say, “Tell me more!” In the next few weeks, I’ll be sending the Board an Interim Report on my work and ministry here at UUCR. We’ll be honoring our graduating seniors in worship, celebrating transitions in our religious education classes, planting a garden that will (we hope) producing bounteous summer foods that we’ll then enjoy together, as a church community, in the fall at a ‘bring in the harvest’ dinner. Making a garden grow is a good analogy for what we’re doing at UUCR in faith development. It’s about tilling the ground, adjusting nutrients to make sure the land is fertile, planting, tending, weeding, and finally harvesting. It’s what we do together, and it’s what will benefit this congregation in many ways: when we invest in our children and youth, we all experience the benefits.

Faithfully yours, Deb

Deborah J. Weiner Interim Director of Faith Development [email protected]

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Member Services and Volunteer Coordinator May 2014

Since my arrival at UUCR in late September 2013, I have truly experienced the “Warmth in Welcoming” that is the cornerstone of this congregation. In my role as the new Member Services and Volunteer Coordinator, I was met with friendly enthusiasm and supported by many in my first seven months here. There have been many individuals who have gone out of their way to help acclimate me to the history and culture of UUCR, as well as help me in my mission to support our members, friends and visitors. My day to day work as Member Services and Volunteer Coordinator (MSC) has been exciting and diverse as I was tasked with a variety of goals that included: meeting the needs of members, friends and visitors; engaging and involving volunteers in various roles; and maintaining a strong social media presence for UUCR.

In the fall, I participated in a UUA sponsored Social Media Webinar that helped guide me in alternative ways to promote this vibrant community and communicate effectively with the congregation. I have utilized Face Book in a way to maximize our online presence, and have worked with the CORE staff to create content for our weekly newsletter, made possible by our amazing webmasters.

In an effort to experience as much of this busy congregation as I could, I have participated in a variety of events from the Kris Kringle Fair to the Pancake Supper to the Seder service; from Pledge Drive activities and Weeknight Vesper services; actively engaging in Program Council meetings and participating in strategy and planning meetings for several committees and groups. I have maintained an active presence on New England Membership Professionals Council, where I have had an opportunity to meet professionals from area churches in my same role, in person and online, who have helped to enrich my role through idea sharing.

This year I have worked with Rev. Tim and the Membership Team to continue the offerings of programs such as “Tidbits & Tour” and “UU Basics”, and also added an opportunity for congregants to “reflect and connect” through a monthly offered Spirituality Drop-In Group. I have hosted this monthly group, offered once on a Sunday afternoon and again on a weeknight evening the same week, to allow another opportunity for individual reflection and a deepening in their personal journey. Many have enjoyed the setting of this group that provides a sacred environment in which they can share with friends new and old. Additionally, I worked closely with worked with a new friend to the Membership Team, Carol Layne, to enhance our information for congregants looking for more information on how to get involved. Carol and her husband, Dave Ruede, have been a pleasure to work with in helping assimilate folks here.

Upon my arrival here, I was excited to see so many different individuals who do so much to help make this the energetic church that it is. In January of this year, I created and implemented a new Volunteer Appreciation program, which allows congregants the opportunity to nominate their peers to be honored for specific roles that they have played. The nominated volunteers were then honored during an upcoming service, where we were able to thank them publically with our words and a small token gift of appreciation.

In an effort to meet several needs for connection, fellowship and volunteer leadership, I initiated the Committee Ambassador Program this spring. This program was established to bring together members of Committees, Affinity Groups, Chalice Circles, or Teams, so that each group could extend the warmth in welcoming through hosting Sunday morning hospitality duties. Through this program, groups are able to connect with a new set of congregants and expand the connections across the community. It creates a way for the work of different committees to be highlighted and the mission of various groups to be understood. Committee Ambassadors are get to know one another better while working side-by-side doing something meaningful, and can take ownership of the building as they get to know where things are and how they work, and they can creatively solve problems when they arise. In the few months that this program has been in place, there has been a sharp increase in Sunday morning sign-ups, as members of various groups or committees who may have never felt ready or comfortable taking on a leadership role can take the lead on this single Sunday morning to try on a leadership hat for the day, possibly preparing them to someday take on larger responsibilities. The feedback for the program has been very positive.

None of this year’s successes would have been possible without the wonderful mentoring that I received from the Membership Team Leader, Michele Catalano. Michele was integral in helping me to maintain long-term programming, and to initiate new ideas. Her support and leadership was a much valued resource for me in my first year. While Michele will be stepping down as team leader, she will remain on the Membership Team. My sincere gratitude goes to Michele and the other active Membership Team members and friends who have made my transition into this role effortless.

Respectfully submitted, Melissa Martin Member Services and Volunteer Coordinator

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Adult Enrichment Committee May 2014

This has been a year of rebuilding for the Adult Enrichment Committee. Three key committee members transitioned off the committee at the end of last church year. This year, Tom Mottl and Jenna Rankin Doucette joined the committee with returning members Kristine Blum and Ann McClorey Fisher. The committee began the year by generating ideas for our vision of what a healthy, robust Adult Enrichment program would look like. We invited the congregation into the visioning process by having a presence at coffee hour and conducted a survey of church members to get input on preferences regarding the kinds of programming desired, the timing and format of programs. Our goal would be to offer a range of programs that fall into these broad areas: Spiritual/Theology; Society Today and Tomorrow; Issues of Aging; Parenting/ Family; Mind/Body; Group Discussion/Fellowship; Guest Speakers. We recognize that bringing this vision into reality is a multi-year process.

For programming this church year, we offered the following programs:

Seven Principles Series led by Jenna Rankin Doucette (first two sessions this church year, remaining five will be next church year) An Introduction to Mindfulness led by Amy Grose Soul Collage led by Laura Cavicchio and Iris Hardin The Holy Universe with guest speaker David Christopher Mandala workshop led by Maureen Crowley Income Inequality led by Ben Tafoya The Faces of Environmental Concern led by Jamie Maughan

We have invited participants to complete evaluations of each program and the feedback has been very positive.

The committee has begun mapping out programming for the next church year. We are recruiting new committee members, including someone to serve as a co-chair with Tom Mottl.

Respectfully Submitted,

Ann McClorey Fisher, Chair

Committee Members: Kristine Blum, Jenna Rankin Doucette, Tom Mottl, Ann McClorey Fisher

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Archives Committee May 2014

The committee’s ongoing mission is to collect, preserve, and make available items related to the history of our church. We continue to meet on 1st and 3rd Tuesdays in the archives room (2nd floor, Sawyer House) to file donated materials and discuss matters related to the archives.

Collect Thanks to notes left by our former minister Dick Woodman, and to the generosity of the Unitarian Church in Arlington, we obtained a copy of a picture of Rev. David Damon (1833– 1835 in Reading). In addition to orders of service, newsletters, and sermons, this year the archives received considerable material relating to Building Our Future, the Property Committee, the Governing Board, and other committees, also a photo of Dick Woodman. Our thanks to those who donated their records.

Preserve Last year, Internet Archive scanned and posted 25 of the UUCR’s oldest, most fragile, handwritten documents, thus preserving and making widely available the information they contain (see www.archive.org). This year, we are pleased to report that—with the agreement of the Governing Board—these items have been given into the safekeeping of the Manuscripts and Archives division of the Andover-Harvard Theological School Library at Harvard Divinity School, thus preserving their physical form in a professional, climate-controlled environment. They will be available to us and to others wishing to research the history of early Unitarians and Universalists. The items donated are (1) annual and special meeting warrants and reports of the church, 1857–1938; (2) annual reports of the Liberal Ladies Benevolent Association (the “Sewing Circle”), 1840–1919; (3) booklets recording membership, income, and expenses of the Liberal Ladies; (4) notes from Unitarian Men’s Club, 1916–1922; (5) secretary’s reports from the Young People’s Association, 1939–1941; (6) records of pew sales (i.e., pledges of financial support) from various 19th-century years; and (7) a list of members of the Christian Union Society (one of the UUCR’s ancestor societies). Currently, we are searching through the archive’s chronological files to pull out and consolidate information about individual committees, so that it will be easily available for research purposes.

Make Available The work of organizing an archive is worthwhile and joyful when questions are posed and information can be retrieved to answer them, and when the history of our church can be brought to life. Examples of questions asked this year: What did the choir sing at the Christmas music services for the last 8 years? Can you find information about and pictures of Ted and Pat Smith for an announcement about their memorial donation? How did you go about digitizing your archives

(question from a Methodist church)? What policies has our Governing Board voted on in the last 30 years? We have also assisted Rev. Tim with questions about church history. Bill Grace talked with the current Liberal Ladies in May 2014, jumping off from the questions “How old is our church? Is it the building or the institution?” We prepared two displays for the atrium display case: (1) photos of and notes about some of our church’s ministers, and (2) after a long, hard winter, photos of our church campus in green and flower, including its days as “the ivy-covered church on Woburn St.”

Respectfully submitted, Anne Mark (chair), Lynne Champion, Bill Grace, Bob Green

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Building Usage Committee May 2014

The Building Usage Committee is tasked with being the point of contact for people wishing to rent space on our campus. Members of the committee are Judy Riley, Chair, Lorraine Dennis and Radonna Crandlemire. We are available to meet with prospective renters and work out a plan for rental of various spaces from the Sanctuary to our meeting halls to classrooms in Loring. We work out a fee schedule for the different rentals and assist in recruiting a Facility Manager for those events needing that function. Every renter signs a rental agreement outlining their event and our stipulations for use of the property.

The year 2013-2014 has resulted in a rise in rental income over previous years and greater use of our campus by outside groups. We have hosted many renters this year: The Rug Hookers Group (ATHA), Reading Garden Club, Reading Craftsmen’s Assoc , Buddhist Meditation, Zumba, Yoga, , Tai Chi, Nia Joy, Fit by Caterina, a Children’s Language/Music Class, a Scrapbooking class, a Makeup Artistry Course, a pain management class, Fit 4 Moms, Halalisa Singers, Reading Community Singers, Reading Teachers’ Association, KidSing, EMARC, Fairy Tale Players,, Reading Symphony, Havurah Havarim, Camp Triumph, Democratic Town Committee, several private parties, and a couple of weddings and wedding receptions.

The coordination of rental reservations and reservations for church use throughout the year is handled by Judy Riley who maintains the online calendar of church use.

Respectfully submitted, Judy Riley, Building Usage Committee

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Chalice Circle Program May 2014

The Chalice Circle Program is completing its ninth year at UUCR, fostering connections, supporting personal growth, building strong community, and prompting spiritual development.

Approximately fifty members and friends of the church have been active participants in Chalice Circles this year, led by me (Sunday evening in Burlington), Sharlene Reynolds Santo (Sunday evening in Reading), Tammy Zambo (Tuesday afternoon in North Reading), Laura Cavicchio (Thursday evening in Reading), Ann Mottl (telephone circle), Margaret Soli (Saturday morning in Reading), and Ruth Goldberg (Longwood Place).

There have been three sets of sessions this year. The first was a series of ten sessions that considered the themes of each of last summer’s worship service sermons. The second was a series of five sessions revisiting readings from the program’s second year. The final couple of sessions will be standalone sessions.

This year we introduced the Sharing of Joys and Sorrows as part of the regular order of each session. Along with last year’s addition of the Chalice Lighting words, the intent has been to make Chalice Circles even more so serve the role of small group ministry.

As has been our practice since the inception of the program, our circles have undertaken a service commitment to the church community, for example, serving as ushers, furnishing coffee hour, etc., for one or two weekends per church year, per circle.

Projecting forward into 2014-2015, our tenth year, we hope to build on the strengths of this year’s program, especially the personal outreach to prior year’s participants at the beginning of the next church year.

Respectfully submitted, Brian Charles Kohn, Program Coordinator

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Committee on Ministry (COM) May 2014

The Committee on Ministry’s role, as described in our charter is:

The Committee on Ministry shall counsel with the minister regarding the effectiveness of the ministry, provide feedback to the minister on congregational matters, serve the congregation as a communication facilitator to assist in identifying and addressing matters of concern raised by the minister or members of the congregation, stand as a resource for managing conflicts not resolved through direct consultation, and shall serve as an advisor to the Governing Board regarding the evaluation process and salary of the minister.

This year’s members, in addition to myself, are Beverly Everett, Ann Fisher, Steve Langlois and Steve Rose. It has been an eventful year as we have worked with the Governing Board and the Minister to manage a challenging staff transition. The committee has tried to make ourselves more visible to the congregation by putting a photo and contact information on one of the welcome tables in the atrium and by assisting with worship announcements as requested by the board. Lorraine plans to speak to the congregation about the COM at a worship service soon.

Ann Fisher and Beverly Everett will be leaving the COM in June. They have each been invaluable members of the committee. We will miss their compassionate wisdom and willingness to step into difficult conversations with love and understanding.

Next year, we will plan to interview committee leaders in the fall and hope to do a survey evaluating the many ministries of the church. Our vision for the future is that the COM will be more widely utilized by the congregation as a place to share their stories. The COM will be a place where congregants can get help managing conflict and find ways to hold meaningful, positive interactions with all.

Respectfully submitted, Lorraine Dennis, Chair

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Communications Task Force May 2014

The Communications Task Force was created by the Governing Board in March 2013 to act as a pilot program for approximately one year. Its mission was to assess the effectiveness of UUCR’s various communications tools that link our leadership with the wider congregation and prospective members. These tools include our website, the electronic newsletter, email blasts, social media plus an assortment of traditional methods such as the order of service inserts. At the end of the year, the Task Force was to make recommendations as to what was needed to enable it to function on a permanent basis. Staffing was to consist of two at-large members including a Chair, the webmasters, a Board liaison and a staff representative, the Membership Services Coordinator (MSC).

Initially, the major identified Church communications problem—overload of the webmasters— began to resolve itself as the staff began to make many more communications-related decisions governing the use and scheduling of our in-house media. At our first meeting in April, the group also decided to limit its scope to internal communications, feeling that external communications required more of a marketing perspective and expertise we did not have.

We did accomplish the following during the 2013-14 year:  The Task Force looked at the charters of communications groups at other churches to see what approaches seemed fruitful. It was interesting to note that diverse activities such as publication support, database maintenance and archiving were included by sister churches.  We decided that that we needed to plan for a congregational communications survey, and we examined one such survey conducted by a neighboring church that could be a template.  We attended a digital ministry seminar held at this church.

Progress was severely hampered by the resignation of one of the two at-large members for personal reasons, the very busy schedule of the web masters, precluding their regular attendance, the lack of an MSC for a portion of the year, and the unavailability of the Board liaison. Consequently, meetings of the Task Force were discontinued last fall.

If the Task Force is to continue next year, the Chair recommends that the Board re-examine and possibly re-write the mission of the Task Force in light of changing conditions within the church and the Board’s own communications needs. Obviously, the Task Force needs to be re-staffed; the current MSC has kindly offered to help with that effort. The Chair believes that constructing and conducting a meaningful congregational survey on communications next year would be beneficial in helping us evaluate the church’s communications tools, procedures and attitudes.

Respectfully submitted, Steve Oston

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Ferry Beach Coordinator May 2014

The Ferry Beach Committee is a group of 8 volunteers that are helping in various capacities. Ferry Beach is an annual weekend held in June for our church community to gather together at the UU Ferry Beach facilities in Saco, ME.

I am told that our attendance has gone down partially due to the weekend being earlier in June in recent years, plus the increased cost, plus family schedules getting more complicated. Last year 77 attended and this year is looking like it will not be more than 50, with us being limited to a certain number of rooms as the organization is now focusing on maximizing campus use with multiple groups. We now share the weekend with at least one other church. This year so far we have 3 new families. And I have received feedback that the description of the weekend has improved to make it feel like less of a mystery and I succeeded in conveying a feeling of community. I set up a list of ambassadors to help, but no one has taken me up on the offer.

I am putting together detailed instructions building on what was handed to me from my successor. Next year my son may be graduating that weekend so I will be sure to have things in good hands should I need to leave on Saturday. The Ferry Beach Association completely changed the pricing structure this year and got the info out late and they were not responsive to several emails and a phone call to get things confirmed, which limited my ability to advertise the weekend in January and most of February. I had hoped to start earlier promotions and registrations but without weekend confirmation and pricing there was not much to tell.

Respectfully submitted, Debbie Vince, Ferry Beach Weekend Coordinator

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Green Sanctuary Committee May 2014

The Green Sanctuary Committee has had a busy year. Our monthly film series, "Holding our Planet and Principles Close," was well attended and led to pertinent discussions on climate change. We collected metal for recycling in Lynn, freeing the church budget from an allowance for our needs, (not to mention the reused metal advantage). We eliminated bottled water for UUCR's Ivy Chord coffee houses by serving filtered water. We participated in our Earth Day service with Rev. Tim. We also organized our more than five years of work into a format which we will present at UUCR's October 2014 annual meeting for a church membership vote on UUCR's becoming a designated Green Sanctuary Church. (See Green Sanctuary Addendum to Annual Report)

Respectfully submitted, Ann Mottl, Green Sanctuary Committee chair Members: Linda King, Jeff Everson, Ellen Hill, Marcia Kent

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Helping Hands Committee May 2014

In the spring of 2013, the children selected Mill City Grows as the Helping Hands Partner for the year and received a check for $7,600. Runners up were Malden Framers Market and Wakefield Food Pantry, which each received $1,200. Each of these finalists had 7 minutes to convey their messages to the kids and they used role playing, paper money, and other activities to their best advantage!

Mill City Grows is located in Lowell, MA. While they have far reaching goals of food justice and equality, they have near term opportunities transforming some bleak, urban parking lots and unused spaces into bountiful urban gardens. For a season fee of about $25 dollars, residents get a raised bed, tools to tend it, and classes to teach them growing tips and techniques. These former places of used needles and trash, have blossomed into community centers where people can grow their own food, thereby ensuring their access to healthy foods. Another great benefit is that the residents get to grow many of the herbs and spices and vegetables that are native to their homelands thousands of miles away and not readily available in grocery stores here.

In the fall, Betsy Tabor led a fearless group of Reading UUers to clean up community garden space and get everything ready for the new growing season. Multiple generations and ethnicities joined together to cut a tree, clean up and revitalize space. Bridges were made across language barriers and it was so fulfilling, that Betsy led another group again in the spring! An example of how interconnected we all are!

Respectfully submitted, Laura Hackel, for the Helping Hands Committee

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading 2014 Annual Report of the Intern Committee May 2014

Our purpose is to assist the intern minister to become the best minister she/he can be.

This year, we have supported Betsy Tabor as she dealt with increasing demands after being thrust into COA. We consulted with her on how best to handle a funeral she did in December. We met with her regularly and gave her guidance for whatever issues she faced.

In the coming year, the committee will probably be reconstituted and will continue to offer support, guidance, and challenges to the incoming intern.

Respectfully submitted, Andy Gatchell, chair

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Investment Committee May 2014

The task of the Investment Committee is to manage the UUCR Endowment Fund and to work with the Governing Board and other committees to utilize these funds for the long-term benefit of the congregation. Preservation and growth of the Church’s money is a very important goal.

The Endowment Fund is invested in three Vanguard index mutual funds plus a money market fund.

The Fund value as of 5/9/14 was $70,129 The Fund increased by $10,286 during 2012, as the equity markets rallied with domestic stocks up 33% and international stocks up 15%. Bonds were down 2.2% for the year as interest rates rose.

The target mix of investments for the Fund is as follows: Money Market Index 2% Total Bond Mkt Index 27% Total Int’l Stock Index 15% Total Stock Mkt Index 56%

Respectfully submitted, Ron Cavicchio, Chair of the Investment Committee

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Ivy Chord Coffee House May 2014

The Ivy Chord Coffee House hosted three concerts this season: Zoe Lewis on October 5, 2013, Jonathan Edwards on January 25, 2014 (sold out), and Brother Sun on March 29, 2014. Overall profit to UUCR this season was $7,201.24. This includes a $1,000 grant, written by Fran Sansalone, from the Reading Arts Council, which is part of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Each concert is definitely a group effort. We average 30 volunteers per concert. Although the names change regularly with each concert, a special shout-out goes to the following energetic and faithful Ivy Chord supporters:

Barb Bennett Robbie Kohn Bob Bennett Blair Howell Cherry Bennett Montserrat Michelman Nancy Bond Al Murray Kitty Craig-Comin Norma Richard Rob Craig-Comin Fran Sansalone Ann Fisher John Sullivan Amy Grose Susanne Sullivan Chris Kergaravat Shelby Woods Brian Kohn The Green Sanctuary Committee

Next year’s lineup is as follows: Garnet Rogers on October 4, 2014, Susan Werner on January 24, 2015, and Tom Rush on April 25, 2014. Beth Murray is looking for a teammate to further assist with publicity and contract negotiations. Anyone care to join the team?

Respectfully Submitted, Beth Murray, Ivy Chord Coordinator

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Membership Team May 2014

The mission of the Membership Team is to welcome and support all newcomers, prospective members, current members and friends who wish to engage or re-engage in the UUCR community. We assist our congregation in building and maintaining a welcoming, inclusive, and dynamic community. The team works closely with and in support of the Membership Services and Volunteer Coordinator (MSC). This year, we were delighted to have Melissa Martin join the staff as MSC. Melissa brings exuberance and professionalism - with genuine warmth and kindness - that is essential to the role she plays within our congregation.

The idea that all of us at UUCR are key in providing a friendly welcome to newcomers and to each other is still the foundation of how we approach our service to UUCR. Ushers, Greeters and Coffee Hour Hosts are integral parts of that friendly welcome and we recognize that volunteers in these roles need training and support. This year, team member Robbie Kohn hosted two Usher Trainings that conveniently and very successfully occurred between services. Congregants, both newer to UUCR and not, appreciated the opportunity to learn this important function. Melissa has been an organizing force around the Committee Ambassadors Program where committees, teams, affinity groups, and chalice circles extend the warmth of community by hosting coffee hour, ushering and greeting at the service. Next year, our team will focus on the role of greeter and the welcome table and how to best reimagine and integrate this important function. We hope to be of service to our community by helping train volunteers for all these important Sunday functions.

Throughout the year, the team works in support of the minister and the MSC by assisting at UU Basics classes and New Member Sundays. This year, two of our team members, Carol Layne and David Ruede, hosted an information table during coffee hour where congregants could drop by to learn about ways to engage in our community by joining a team or committee, affinity group, or chalice circle. In support of fellowship, Rosemary Kierstead and Michele Catalano brought back brown-bag-lunches, where friends of all ages can drop in at the kitchen at Loring House once per month for lunch and conversation. The drop-in group was offered March-June and we plan to continue it next church year.

Now that our MSC position is solidly filled, we look forward to new challenges next year. Specifically, we can begin to reinvest our team efforts in the area of what we have affectionately called remembership. Remembership refers to the effort and energies that go into congregant retention and satisfaction. For a church to sustain itself in a healthy way, we need to attract and attend to newer people and to focus on the contentment and fulfillment of longer-term folks. This responsibility is not our work alone, but rather collaboration among church leadership and staff and with other committees and teams. We will work to define and fulfill our role in that ongoing process and to support the MSC in her work in this area.

At the end of this church year, Michele Catalano completes her time as Team Leader but looks forward to remaining an active member of the group. The Team Leader and MSC extend our gratitude to all who willingly volunteered their time to usher, greet, and host coffee. We are

33 particularly grateful to our team and those who regularly assist us: Junelle Barras, Kristine Blum, Paul Catalano, Jenna Doucette, Ann Fisher, Bill & Carolyn Grace, Alec Keating, Rosemary Kierstead, Robbie & Brian Kohn, Carol Layne, Leslie Lemerise, Pat McGovern, Dakota Raine, Norma Richard, David Ruede, Beth Safford, Rich Salz, Phyllis Senier, and Dru Wood-Beckwith.

Respectfully submitted, Michele Catalano, Team Leader

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Music Committee May 2014

This past September UUCR warmly welcomed Mary Neumann, a well-respected UU professional and musician, as our new choir director. With an impressive list of credentials, Mary immediately jumped in with her talent for seamlessly integrating music with the worship service. The choir has quickly grown to appreciate her musical gifts, warmth, and tolerance for our somewhat unruly choir!

Dr. Jennifer Maxwell continued in her second year as pianist with skillful interpretations of an array of musical works. Her most notable accomplishment, however, was outside the church walls when she was awarded her Doctorate from ______. We all heartily congratulate Jennifer on this noteworthy achievement. As well, we thank her for her gift of music.

This year the choir has expanded to include even more voices. We have sung a wide range of musical styles from classical to contemporary. Mary has challenged the choir to sing a capella more often, and this year’s holiday music service featured the challenging work Messe de Minuit by Charpentier. In all, the choir has been able to sing old favorites as well as learn new works to broaden our repertoire.

Music for church services has once again featured amazing and talented musicians from the congregation. Those who love to participate in the church’s music ministry have an opportunity to provide music for services where the choir is not present. The church is indeed fortunate to have so many individuals with musical expertise. We thank each of these individuals for their volunteer work to support the church’s music program. The music committee hopes that next year even more people will avail themselves of this opportunity to share their gifts.

Additionally, the music committee is pleased to see the expansion of musical opportunities outside the choir “loft.” Please be sure to tell any of us your thoughts for musical events, small group work, children’s music or the like.

The committee would like to offer its thanks to a number of individuals who chip in, lend a helping hand, and sustain the program with their never-ending quiet works. We thank Barbara and Bob Bennett, George White, and Al Murray. We’d also like to thank Rev. Tim and Betsy Tabor for their support each Sunday.

One final note. The choir remembers with love our dear friends who are no longer able to join us or who have passed into the mysteries of death. This year we have lost another dear friend, Gene Richey, who could often be heard chuckling in the back row and whose bass voice always found those low low notes.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the Music Committee, Liz Lovell, co-chair & Ron Cavicchio, co-chair Music Committee Members: Radonna Crandlemire, Molly Smith, Chris West, George White

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Partner Church Committee May, 2014

The Partner Church Committee works with our congregation to nurture our church’s relationships with Unitarians abroad.

Our Partners in Transylvania After not having heard for a while from our congregation’s Unitarian partners in the village church of Alsójára in Transylvania (the ethnically Hungarian portion of Romania), we learned in late 2013 that their minister and our long-time correspondent, Rev. Kornél Szathmáry-Incze, had suffered a stroke and retired (though he did recover to a good extent). The Alsójára congregation now numbers about 20 and the youngest member is about 50 years old. The church being too small now to support its own minister, Rev. Tibor Rusz-Fogarasi of the Third Unitarian Church in Kolozsvár (the large nearby city) now ministers to the congregation, holding services in the village every other Sunday. As Rev. Tibor speaks English and has a Skype connection, we had the pleasure of speaking directly with him (and with his wife and sons) for an hour in April. He is trying to foster connections between the Alsójára parishioners and the members of Third Unitarian—a sort of intra-Transylvanian partner church relationship. A major concern for the Alsójára congregation is what to do with their property, especially the now-vacant parsonage. They would like to turn it into a community center or perhaps a guest house.

Our Partner in the Philippines In 2011, our congregation entered a partnership with a Unitarian high school student in the Philippines, Gerry Faburada. Through the UU Partner Church Council program, Paths to Partnership, we committed to raising money for Gerry’s school fees through high school. Last May, Gerry wrote, in part (and in English), “We have eight subject [in school] and I’m more focusing in math and science. They are my favorite subject. In science that I studied last year, there are more activities and when we experiment you have more experience…I would like to thank you all [for] supporting me.” Gerry’s father, Rev. Severino Faburada, is a minister, having left the New Apostolic Church and become a UU. He writes, in part (translated from Tagalog), “And I am thankful…to all the leaders of the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Philippines, because UU faith helps me open my mind and to think more widely. And it really adds more [to] my knowledge. The UU faith really fits my personal concept because it expresses to love one another no matter what denomination…we have. And I am very thankful to [you] for sponsoring my son Gerry Faburada for his education.”

Supporting Partnership Activities Again this year, the UUCR congregation generously supported partnership activities (e.g., the bulk of Gerry’s 2014–2015 school fees) by purchasing Equal Exchange coffee and chocolate sold by the Partner Church Committee. Thank you! Are you interested in travel? international friendships? ways of experiencing UU-ism around the world? We’d love to have you be a member or friend of the UUCR Partner Church group.

Respectfully submitted, Anne Mark Bill Childress, Leslie Lemerise, Ann Mottl

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Pastoral Care Team May 2014

The Pastoral Care Team (PCT) is a trained group of volunteers who offer pastoral support to those facing challenges and transitions in their lives. We work closely with Rev. Tim and act as an extension of his pastoral care to our congregation. Our duties include keeping in touch with those in need by telephone calls, notes and visits. During the month we check in with people we are supporting and report back to the minister with an update.

The main requirements for being a PCT member are the abilities to listen without judgment and to keep confidential what is discussed. Our team meets monthly on Sundays after the second service according to Rev. Tim’s schedule. These meetings have a dual focus: 1. Discussing who needs help and support 2. Training members in specific areas of pastoral care.

Respectfully submitted, Iris Hardin and Diane Chapin

The 2013-2014 Pastoral Care Team: Rev. Tim Kutzmark, Minister Betsy Tabor, Intern Minister Diane Chapin, Co-chair Iris Hardin, Co-Chair Marsha Audette Ruth Goldberg Jasmine Hatzopoulos Margaret Montore Sharyn Taitz Rob Ward Christopher West Dru Wood-Beckwith Tammy Zambo

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Personnel Committee May 2014

The UUCR Personnel Committee was completely re-staffed at the beginning of the 2013-2014 church year, due to the resignation of all previous members of the committee. The previous committee members had done a lot of hard work in the past few years to update our employees’ job descriptions and our UUCR Personnel Practices Handbook. All of those revamped documents were passed along to us by the previous leadership. However, no records of specific yearly staff interviews or exit interviews were shared.

Some of our activities and accomplishments were:

 Early in the church year, we conducted an exit interview with a former employee.  Throughout the year, we conducted yearly staff interviews with all members of the existing UUCR staff and shared the very positive feedback from those interviews with the Governing Board.  Some of us participated in the search and interview processes for our Interim Faith Development Director and for our Temporary Part Time Office Administrator.  The co-chairs also attended a ½ day district workshop on church staffing issues and Sharyn attended a full day workshop on effective staffing in religious organizations.  At the request of the Governing Board, we began work on a review process to examine our previous personnel practices and policies, with the hopes to update our practices and to perhaps create more consistency between our personnel policies/goals and our actual practices.

Respectfully submitted, Sharyn Taitz and Diane Chapin, Co-Chairs Members: Ron Cavicchio, Kevin Kealing, Liz Lovell, Shanna Weston

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Property Committee May 2014

Brief Statement of Purpose: The main purpose of the Property Committee is to oversee the following budget line items, including submitting proposals for yearly budget amounts to the Finance Council and the Governing Board, and also provide final authorization as to how the money will be spent: 1. 5220-1 Church Repairs & Maintenance

2. 5220-5 Lift Maintenance

3. 5230-1 Loring House Repairs & Maintenance

4. 5240-1 Sawyer Nursery Repairs & Maintenance

It is the responsibility of the Property Committee, in consultation with the Facility Manager, to determine how this money will be spent. The Property Committee and the Facility Manager will come up with a plan to figure out which expenditures are at the sole discretion of the Facility Manager (including a maximum amount per expenditure, or perhaps creating a pool that the Facility Manager can use as needed) and which expenditures must be made in consultation with the Property Committee.

Accomplishments include:  Creation of a document, “Duties of the UUCR Property Committee” which clearly defines our purpose and responsibilities (in final draft stage, awaiting approval by Tim and Marc, and then ultimately Governing Board).

 Installing new faucets in bathrooms, plus fixing plumbing underneath, resulting (finally!) in solving the hot water issue that has caused us to fail health department inspections.

 Installing bollards to protect AC unit

 Re-roofing of Loring House bump-outs

Challenges As always, addressing the needs of maintenance of the campus, despite significant shortfalls in the needed money, creates quite a juggling act for the Committee. We are continually trying to decide which repairs are the most critical and which can be put off for another year. The most critical repairs that we need to address right now are: 1. The problem with the Atrium door ($4000-5000 to do it right) (The measures we’ve tried in the past, included grinding down the cement pad and cutting slices off the bottom of the doors)

2. The main roof of Loring House, currently leaking ($10,000-$11,000)

3. The crumbling stucco on the chimneys (probably $15,000 or more). This will probably have to wait until next year, which will mean that the repair will cost more, but we have no choice - #1 and #2 need to be addressed first.

Visions The Property Committee would like to document all needed property repair issues in order to support any future capital campaign that might be required/desired to fund a comprehensive general campus-wide repair project.

Respectfully submitted, Linda King and David Kay, Property Committee co-chairs

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Safe Congregation Committee May 2014

The mission of the Safe Congregation Committee is to promote physical, emotional and interpersonal safety within our UUCR community by encouraging practices and developing policies that honor positive, respectful relationships, while appreciating the dynamic nature of those relationships.

By rule, this committee consists of the Minister, the Director of Faith Development, and three lay members, one of whom is a Governing Board representative. Current members are Tim Kutzmark, Tracy Sopchak, Deb Weiner, Robbie Kohn, Clyde Hardin, and Molly Smith. Deb Weiner is the only new member of the committee this year.

The primary focus of the SCC at this time is the development of a congregational “right relations” covenant. Last church year we elicited feedback from as many church members as possible (primarily by meeting with nearly all church committees) to determine if there is sufficient congregation interest and support for moving forward with the development of a UUCR Right Relations Covenant. Although we concluded that there is a need and support for moving forward with this effort, the process was put “on hold” until fairly recently. (The committee has only met two times this church year.) An initial draft was produced, but we are in the early stages of working on this document and developing the timeline for the implementation of a Right Relations Covenant at UUCR. The SCC is scheduled to meet again before the end of this church year and the hope is to continue to work on the Covenant document and to set clear goals (in conjunction with the Governing Board) for how this will be shared with the Congregation. Next year we expect the SCC will continue to focus on the covenanting process.

Respectfully submitted, Molly Smith and Clyde Hardin, Co-Chair

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Sawyer Nursery School Committee May 2014

Sawyer Nursery School is a non-profit, non-denominational early childhood facility for 3 and 4 year-old children that is licensed by the Office for Childcare Services (OCCS). The school is the licensee of the church, which designates a Liaison to the Governing Board to sit on the Sawyer School Committee.

Governance: Members of the Sawyer Nursery School Committee this past year were church members Susanne Sullivan (Chair), Don Pearson (Treasurer), Lynne Champion, Erin Gaffen and Sue Wondolowski, plus school parents Kelly Anderson (Secretary), Deanna Dodge, Kate Grant and Laura LaFrancesca. The Governing Board Liaison was Theo Noell.

Enrollment: The program can accommodate a maximum of 64 students: two 2-day classes of 16 students each and two 3-day classes of 16 students each. School opened in the fall with a ‘full house’ of 32 students in the 2-day program, but only 26 in the 3-day program. Tuition for the 2013-14 school year remained at $190 a month (for 9 months) for 2-day students and $263 a month for 3-day students, with a 10% discount for twins in either group.

Staff: Deb Harvey continues as Director. Teaching staff include Gloria Hulse, Kim Clarkson, Kelley Moniz and Theresa Curley. A student teacher, Catherine Marra-Anderson assisted in the fall as well at no cost to the school.

Budget: Sawyer continues to be financially sound despite less than full enrollment, and we paid $15,000 in rent to the church this year. New teachers earn less than the experienced staff who resigned at the end of last year, and the popular ‘Lunch Bunch’ continues to bring in added income. A copy of our budget for next year will be sent to the Governing Board as soon as it is ready, along with a final financial statement for the current year.

Sawyer admitted students as young as 2.9 years this past year for the first time (which has resulted in interesting challenges for the staff!), and there has been much discussion of the possibility of expanding the school day to 3 hours in future to compete successfully with other schools.

Marc Evans shoveled sidewalks for the school during light snowfalls this year, while the church’s new plowing service (‘Paul’s Home Services’) did a fine job of clearing snow after big storms.

I would be happy to step down as Chair of the Sawyer School Board if a replacement could be found.

Respectfully submitted,

Susanne Sullivan Chair, Sawyer Nursery School Committee

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Website and Other Electronic Communications Committee May 2014

The church’s electronic communications includes:  The church’s email server  The church’s mass email distribution service  The church’s public-facing website and its secured-access web pages  The church’s Facebook page and Twitter feed

The church’s email server receives, stores and presents email for key staff and the Governing Board President, as well as provides forwarding service for other staff and for programs, teams, committed and member-participants in various church programs and committees.

The church’s mass email distribution service maintains a number of opt-in distribution lists and supports dissemination of church news, newsletters, caring and sharing notices, program and committee-specific communications, and amongUUs messages.

The church’s public-facing website is the first introduction to the church many new visitors receive, providing a comprehensive overview of our beliefs and values, worship, programs and other offerings. It also provides a single, consolidated source of information about what’s going on with church programs, teams and committees, for use by members and friends. It offers limited signup capabilities for various activities and volunteer opportunities, and through secured-access web pages, it also supports dissemination of some sensitive church-related information, such as budgets and the church door code.

The church’s Facebook page and Twitter field expand the church’s outreach beyond its website, to users of social media.

This past church year has been another challenging year for electronic communications, a reflection of how electronic communications is both becoming increasingly critical and relied- upon in society and becoming increasingly difficult to monitor, maintain and support. The church’s website, like all public websites, remains a frequent target of DDOS attacks and has been hacked at least twice early in the church year. Furthermore, just a bit more than two years after it was first designed and implemented, the church website was rendered obsolete by changes in technology imposed by the Internet service provider, requiring the website to be re- implemented from scratch over a weekend in late January/early February. The fast pace of change in technology can be attributed almost exclusively to matters of security, and the speed at which hackers and others exploit old technology to cause mischief or other harm.

The challenges extended beyond the church website to include the email service, which has several times been the target of blacklisting by major carriers on account of being reported as a source of spam, occasionally preventing staff from being able to send email except through personal accounts. The switch to ConstantContact for mass email distribution has had a major positive impact, shifting the burden of most of the concern about email blacklisting onto a commercial service with the resources to combat it effectively.

The aforementioned re-implementation of the website was very successful: The website is still substantially similar to how it has been since its 2011 redesign, achieving the majority of the

42 objectives of that redesign, while now running on software that relies only slightly on technology beyond the standard platform used by millions of website worldwide. This helps ensure that bugs in the platform are found and fixed rapidly, and also fosters the ability to gain answers when problems occur, since vastly more people are familiar with the basic platform elements than would be familiar with custom template elements. Also, there has been no indication that the church website has been hacked since the re-implementation. In addition, all heavily relied-on services, such as management of distribution of the Door Code, Faith Development registration, online worship volunteer signup, and the portal to Ivy Chord ticket sales have been restored.

The re-implemented website is more standards-compliant - especially with regard to adaptive design, meaning that it will work well on more browsers, on more mobile devices. Performance of the website appears to be more robust, with far fewer inconsistencies, as long as we place content in containers intended for that kind of content. Registered User access, which had begun to fail regularly on the previous template, due to incompatibilities between the custom-designed software and emerging web standards and expectations for websites, now works more reliably than ever. Also, the website will likely be more accessible, as the platform will pay more attention to matters of accessibility than would custom template designers.

An unanticipated side-benefit of the website re-implementation is the ability to for the first time distribute the entire church newsletter to subscribers each week, instead of just a newsletter notification. This approach was trialed in March and was overwhelmingly favored by subscribers, and quickly became the new standard practice.

Beyond the website and newsletter, our Member Services and Volunteer Coordinator attentively manages the progressing of targeted content onto our Facebook page (and therefore onto our Twitter feed). Staff carefully considers its use of the mass email distribution service, trying to avoid flooding subscribers of the main church mailing list with multiple email on the same day.

Several church members have expressed interest in helping out with some aspects of the church’s electronic communications. It is our hope that we can obtain some ongoing assistance from at least one or two moving forward into the next church year. The church is losing its podcast/videocast editor, and that position needs to be refilled in order for the church to continue that part of its outreach ministry. With the extended absence of our church administrator, many staff members have reverted back to word processors for submitting content to the webmasters for the church newsletter. (Some submissions recently have even been PDFs. Those submissions, of course, were declined.) Should we be unable to find church members volunteering to convert articles created with word processors to the format consistent with the website, then, at the beginning of the next church year, we intend to again offer back-end training for MSC, Intern Minister and any other regular contributors to enter their own articles (since front-end entry doesn’t allow for saving intermediate versions of articles being drafted), and provide conversion of articles from word processors only for articles by the Minister and Director of FD.

Respectfully submitted, Brian and Robbie Kohn, Webmasters

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Welcoming Committee May 2014

The Welcoming Committee will be participating in a Pride Walk again next year. At this time, we are not sure if we are going to do Boston or North Shore or both. We are mixing it up this year and attending North Shore Pride Parade. My challenge has been trying to coordinate the participants without the help of Rosemary Fiori.

Respectfully submitted, Rebecca Griffin, Chair of the Welcoming Committee

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading Annual Report of the Worship Arts Committee May 2014

The Worship Arts Committee had another successful year with a lot to do and a great team to get the job done. We have successfully coordinated two services each Sunday morning with the exception of a few planned One Service Sundays. Despite the cold hard winter, we were able to hold services each Sunday throughout. We also assisted with three Wednesday night services. Coordination between members of our committee and church staff has been quite smooth this year. We have enjoyed working with Betsy Tabor, intern minister and with new staff members Mary Neumann, choir director, and Deb Weiner, interim director of faith development. Unlike in previous years, this year we did not make changes to the ‘standard’ order of service. Perhaps we have finally figured out a good way to get everything done in a meaningful and worshipful way!

One lay-lead service this spring was almost cause for panic when the designated lay leader fell ill at short notice, but due to extensive advanced planning on his part, experienced team members, and a willingness by many to pitch-in-and-help, the Sunday services happened with nary a problem. We were made aware, though, of the necessity of having all guest speakers give us a copy of their sermon text in advance, as an off-the-cuff, impromptu sermon by a guest speaker could have been greatly improved upon.

In his first summer coordinating the summer services, Brian Kohn capably ran the show. He coordinated eleven worship services during summer 2013, featuring sermons delivered by Rev. Tim, Intern Minister Betsy Tabor and five members of the church community. Brian has already lined up a full set of eleven worship services for summer 2014. This will feature sermons delivered by Student Preacher Joanna Lubkin, as well as seven members of the church community, including a number of new voices. Roald Wilson will return for another summer as our music director.

As per usual, our committee started the fall strong, but due to outside commitments, several members needed to step away from the team. We thank youth members Emma Gaudreau and Megan Clark for their previous service. We continue to enjoy having youth members Jacob Blum and Marcus Doucette as active members of our team. They lend a unique perspective to discussions at our meetings and are capable Worship Associates.

There are now five qualified volunteers trained on the church sound equipment; this is important as more renters wish to use it. Working with the Building Usage group, we instituted a training and deposit system to cover possible damages. A full inventory has been completed and sent to the governing board. Major repair this year was necessitated by a failure of the digital recorder that is used to record services and post the sermons to the website.

We'd like to mention Maria Kempner, who after several years as member and co-chair is moving out of Reading and will be resigning her position on the committee. Maria's expertise and help running meetings, coordinating Worship Associates, editing our manuals and minutes, and working with the staff, congregation, committee and especially her co-chair were impressive. Maria: you will be missed and we thank you for your service. Our thoughts are with you and Good luck.

Respectfully submitted, Maria E. Kempner, Albert F. Murray, Jr. : Co-Chairs of Worship Arts Committee Active members (May 2014): Alec Kealing, Bob Rowlands, Brian Kohn, Gail Page, Jacob Blum, Jim Sopchak, Laura Cavicchio, Laurie Mullin, Rob Craig-Comin, Sharyn Taitz, Marcus Doucette Reserve members: Erin Patterson, Blair Howell, Emma Gaudreau, Megan Clark Staff and Clergy members: Tim Kutzmark – minister, Betsy Tabor - intern minister

UUCR Green Sanctuary Committee Addendum Information in Preparation for a Congregational Vote (Presented as an addendum to the May 2014 Annual Reports) Submitted by Ann Mottl, Chair of UUCR Green Sanctuary Committee

What will voting to become a Green Sanctuary Church mean? It will mean deciding to submit an application from UUCR to become a UUA Accredited Green Sanctuary Church.

What is a UUA Accredited Green Sanctuary Church? The UUA's Green Sanctuary Church program began in the 80s when "Global Warming" began to worry people. GA introduced concepts like 'ecology theology' and 'environmental justice'; UUs wanted to make the Seventh Principle more central to congregations. In 1991, The Seventh Principle Project was formed, offering a Green Sanctuary Handbook. Soon the Seventh Principle Project was incorporated, accrediting the first five Green Sanctuary congregations. In 2005, the Seventh Principle Project became Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth (UUMFE). UUMFE drafted a Statement of Conscience on Threat of Global Warming Climate Change, and, in 2008, Green Sanctuary management was transferred from UUMFE to the UUA. The Green Sanctuary program expanded. Food and Environmental Justice became a Study Action Issue. "Environmental Justice Green Papers" were offered online. Congregations became involved in 350.org., International Day of Climate Change, and registered their Earth Day activities. A curriculum, "Place in the Web of Life, An Introduction to Environmental Justice," 2011 & 2013, explores values and environmental consequences of choice. UU Ministry for Earth encourages communities of faith to build sustainable communities. Why does the Green Sanctuary Committee think we should do this? The requirements encourage thinking about climate issues and exploring our own values. They offer us experience in making hard decisions that will affect our future. More importantly, we are forced to question issues that will affect earth's ability to nourish all creatures, and sustain life for our children's grandchildren and beyond. In addition, becoming a Green Sanctuary Church provides solidarity with fellow UUs on issues of climate change. Together, we can do what we probably can't manage alone.

How did UUCR begin taking steps towards becoming a Green Sanctuary Church ? UUCR's Green Sanctuary Team grew out of a Social Action task force on Global Warming that was formed in response to a sermon on climate change by Interim Minister, Rev. Doris A. Hunter in 2003. In 2006 the task force voted to form the 'Green Sanctuary Committee'. Instated by UUCR's governing board, we have sought to lead our church in becoming a UUA designated Green Sanctuary Church. Our church membership has assumed many of UUCR's ʻgreenerʼ campus programs. Members have organized environmentally oriented activities without needing to consult with our committee (e.g. nature walks, Earth DayServices, gardening projects, Helping Hands, the food initiative, etc.) Our Green Sanctuary Team loves watching environmental caring and concern spread throughout our congregation. In the meantime, the team has worked towards fulfilling the requirements for recognition as a Green Sanctuary Church. The process has taken time. To begin our candidacy, we completed a lengthy application to the UUA, including:

1. The formal establishment of a Green Sanctuary Committee. 2. An environmental audit of the church. 3. Completion of one each of three action areas: a. energy conservation and environmental practices; b. reduce, reuse recycle c. church communication 4. Submission of our action plan 5. Completed our action plan:

GREEN SANCTUARY ACTION PLAN (2009-14)

WORSHIP AND CELEBRATION, At least 2 projects required 1. Each year, UUCR's first service is a WATER COMMUNION using water brought from our summer travels. Our last service is our FLOWER COMMUNION with flowers from our yards.

2. April 23, 2012, Earth Day service kicking off 40/40 EARTH DAY FOOD CAMPAIGN; People pledged to make small changes in life style for 40 days. Efforts were recorded and shared.

3. April 27, 2014, EARTH DAY SERVICE; Rev. Tim & Green Sanctuary Team, "For the Beauty of the Earth". Thoughts on earth's meaning for 3 generations

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, At least one for children/youth and one for adults required 1. 2012--2013 UUCR youth and faith development leaders participated in HELPING HANDS work/learning experience at FOOD PROJECT FARM in Lynn, MA , growing healthy, affordable food in Greater Boston. Engaged in educational games, and food systems discussions while cultivating and maintaining land. Planted, tended, or harvested fresh vegetables

2. 2013-14 Adult GREEN SANCTUARY FILM/LUNCH SERIES: There's No Tomorrow, Here Comes the Sun, Do the Math, Bill McKibben & Climate Change, Bidder 70, What if We Change, Leading with Agriculture by John D. Liu. 10-20 people attended each film/lunch and participated in in-depth discussions.

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, Two projects required, at least one involving a long term partnership with a group outside UUCR 1. 2012-2014, UUCR a host site for WORLD PEAS (People Enhancing Agricultural Sustainability) CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). We receive / distribute farm fresh local vegetables grown by beginning, immigrant, and refugee farmers in eastern MA. World PEAS CSA provides (a) market access for small-scale farmers. (b) Crop diversity, less risk for shareholders, (c) fresh fruits & vegetables for " under-resourced" communities via SNAP CSA

2. 2013: UUCR HELPING HANDS project: Children of UUCR selected "MILL CITY GROWS as the focus of a grant they received. Children, parents, and adult leaders prepared a community garden site for residents of Lowell, MA

SUSTAINABILITY At least 4 projects required 1. 2008-2009 Created systems for church wide SOLID WASTE REDUCTION, REUSE, AND RECYCLING * Recycling bins at sanctuary exits for collection of the order of service * Recycling bins at various locations in church building and Loring *Recycling sign-up sheet & instruction sheet to manage paper recycling * Enough hymnals to discourage printing of hymns * Completed junk mail reduction kit & * Do NotMail list

2. 2012: Began our ongoing METAL RECYCLING PROGRAM: Congregants bring scrap metal spring and fall which we deliver to Lynn Metal Recycling center. .Money from scrap metal gives Green Sanctuary income for lunch for our film series and for projects like the solar panels currently being discussed.

3. 2011 Began providing FILTERED WATER instead of selling bottled water for our Ivy ChordCoffee Houses. Has been built into Ivy Chord events and brings many comments from audience at intermission

4. 2007, Green Sanctuary member held a class for Liberal Ladies on ORGANIC NONTOXIC METHODS FOR CLEANING

TWO OTHER REQUIRED, Any category 1. 2007 CANVAS SHOPPING BAG-- CFL FUND DRIVE. Demonstrated environmental benefits of canvas over paper or plastic bags. Sold reusable canvas shopping bags RE kids had decorated to the congregation. With profit, purchased CFL bulbs for Reading Food Pantry plus information on environmental and financial benefits of CFLs, proper usage & disposal, clean-up methods for broken bulbs disposal sites

2. 2007" First annual all-church read, LAST CHILD IN THE WOODS. Saving our children from Nature Deficit Disorder." Sponsored by Fellowship Committee; Included dessert, discussion, and a nature walk around Horn Pond in Woburn ...... At UUCR's annual meeting in October 2014, The Green Sanctuary Team will ask for a vote of the congregation as to whether we should seek accreditation as a Green Sanctuary Church. This vote is required by the UUA. If approved by our congregation, we will send our completed application to the UUA Green Sanctuary review team.

Respectfully Submitted, Ann Mottl, Chair of UUCR Green Sanctuary Committee