Posts from May 2021
Thoughts on Pandemic Progress
The nation is struggling with what to do about COVID precautions. The Center for Disease Control announced on May 13 that vaccinated persons can remove their masks in most settings. Many of us vaccinated people are happily unmasking and celebrating the beginning of a return to the normal. But many of us vaccinated people are still wearing their masks. I am one of those. The reasons for remaining masked include protecting family members who are not yet vaccinated, or cannot…
May Board Update
In Attendance : Tom Lesiewicz, Kevin Sweeney, Erica Lavine, Steve Stultz , Elizabeth Olson, Jamie Yucuis, Rev. Leland New Business Request for Energy Innovation & Carbon Dividend Act Endorsement Elizabeth will be reaching out to the requestor to get more details and provide guidance. Ongoing Business Fundraising We discussed some ideas on how to fundraise to ease our budget crunch. Tom has reached out to the Grand Victoria Foundation to get help with fundraising and writing grant requests. Annual Meeting…
Upcoming Events Offered by the UUA MidAmerica Region
Small Congregation Check-In Date & time: Thursday, May 27, 2021, 7:45 pm – 9:00 pm EDT A time for leaders of small congregations in the MidAmerica Region and elsewhere to check-in about the challenges UU religious communities are encountering as we respond to the Coronavirus outbreak. This is part of a twice monthly connection opportunity. Please register for each date you wish to attend. For more information and registration: Small Congregation Check-In May 27 Congregational Leaders Check-In Date & time:…
PADS Lunch May Signup, Looking for New Scheduling Volunteer
I will be creating the June schedule for PADS lunches and am still looking for someone to take over the scheduling task for UUCE. Please contact me ASAP if you are interested. The time commitment for creating the schedule is minimal and does not require that you provide any lunches. Also, PADS has requested that we provide lunch on Memorial Day 5/31 if possible. I have updated the signup to include this additional date. This might be a good opportunity…
Fourth Sunday Styrofoam Collection!
Jeremy Fixemer has offered to collect the Styrofoam this Sunday afternoon, May 23, from 3:00-3:30 pm. The reason for the later time is due to the congregational meeting at noon. He will collect CLEAN Styrofoam to transport to Dart Container Corporation in North Aurora. Please separate your clean, food grade foam from your packaging foam. – Mary Alice Masonick
I Heard the News Today, O Boy
I didn’t think it would come this soon, but those of us who are fully vaccinated and have waited out the 14-day probation period are not required to wear masks anymore, nor observe social distancing, and we may mix and mingle without more than slight, self-created worries. That’s currently about 35% of our population and covers most of the most vulnerable, namely, those over 60 years old. I have mixed feelings about this. I’m glad to not have to wear…
Let’s Be Cheerful
It seems to me that there is new cheerfulness abroad in the land, fueled by two developments, namely the vaccination project, and the Biden administration’s ‘seizing the time.’ I am willing to give Orange 45’s Administration some credit for its Operation Warp Speed, which contributed to the success of the vaccination rollout, and which exceeded Blue 46’s promise to vaccinate 100 million of our people in his first 100 days. I liked the guy, Monced Slaoui, who was running the…
Upcoming Events Offered by the UUA MidAmerica Region
1. MidAmerica Extended Leadership Experience Saturday, May 8, 2021, 10:00 am - 1:30 pm EDT Leadership is always important, but these days, there are extra elements that make being a leader even more challenging. For more information and registration: Extended Leadership Experience 2. Small Congregation Check-In MAY 13 Date & time: Thursday, May 13, 2021, 7:45 pm - 9:00 pm EDT A time for leaders of small congregations in the MidAmerica Region and elsewhere to check-in about the challenges UU religious communities are encountering as we respond to the…
Reopening Update
We’ve missed you! The Executive Team is excited to share with the community our reopening update. Our Reopening Task Force consisted of Erica Lavine, Safety Specialist, Beth Cooper Zobott, Professional Meeting Organizer Certified in Safety, and Mila Brinker, Church Administrator. The Executive Team relied extensively on the Task Force’s recommendations. In-person services We have continued with online services, following the guidelines of the UUA to protect the most vulnerable in our community. We are hoping to welcome everyone back to in-person services after Labor Day in early September. We are watching the statistics on local community spread and vaccinations to judge whether this reopening will be feasible. We have also…