So here we are, it’s December! The season is upon us. Every year when I return from deer camp in the Upper Peninsula, Thanksgiving hits and we are into the holiday season. The blur that seems like life racing by this time of year is often just all of us busily trying our best to get everything done, see all of our friends and relatives, have some fun while we’re at it, and appreciate this time of year as it passes all too quickly.

This Friday evening, catch our choir at Dow Gardens for the annual Christmas singing event. It’s always something to behold, and hopefully it won’t be too cold or wet for us listeners, or the singers themselves. If you miss Friday, or even if you catch it, don’t forget this Sunday is Choir Sunday with different Christmas music to delight us. We’re so lucky to have such a talented group with great leadership.

As we enter our last calendar month of our fiscal year, I find myself both excited and worried.  

Last week the Building and Grounds team started the process for a solar power installation for our facility. Although there is money to be spent up front, the fact is that over the life of the project it will result in a net reduction of our overall outlay, reducing our purchased power to a very low level.  And up front funding will come from member support and our endowment fund. That’s the “dollars” side, but I was reminded that it also contributes to a sustainable energy environment. We can point with pride that our Fellowship is leading the way in this regard, a big part of one of our social issue objectives of environmental justice. That’s exciting!

Speaking of excited, you’ll recall the annual meeting last October where we elected new board members: president-elect Jim Crissman, secretary Beth Sperry and member-at-large Janelle Dombek. These people will join our new board president Maxine Guettler, treasurer Scott McDonald and member-at-large Dan Sealey. Working with Reverend Eric this will be a super team to keep our Fellowship headed in the best direction.  

And the Vision-Mission project is gathering energy. This next year a special board-appointed-committee will get more of your input via surveys, workshops and other sources to develop a Mission statement, and Vision statement reflecting the current composition and aspirations of our congregation. It’s expected to be completed this next spring for adoption at next year’s annual meeting in October.

As I said above, I’m excited AND worried. I worry every year that our pledges will come in as promised. If you haven’t yet paid the remainder of your 2023 pledge, please don’t forget to get it done before the end of the year (and sooner is better than last minute). We (nearly) always seem to make it, but we’re always quite a bit behind going into December. If you are in a situation where you won’t be able to complete your pledge, please let me or our treasurer Scott McDonald know. We count on these to get through the end of the year and get started fresh next year, and will need to plan for shortfalls if that turns out to be the case.

I also worry about where we’re headed as a nation with the upcoming elections next year. Depending on the outcome, I fear our nation’s democracy may be in jeopardy. I’m hopeful we’ll be able to come together and forestall any such event. This is a time when I really appreciate our UUFoM community. It is our home to come and share our concerns about such things in a safe, accepting environment. Together we will help one another both by example and in word to remind our fellow citizens of their better instincts to care and look after our nation.   

This will be my last column as board president. Maxine Guettler will take over in January with the new board and new energy to keep things going. I need to thank Maxine for accepting this role when asked last year. The energy she brings to our meetings and to so many projects and events at the Fellowship is truly inspiring. And a big thank you to my fellow board members Chris Nakamura (secretary) and Lisa Janetski (at-large) whose terms end this year along with my own. To all of our board members – thank you so much.

I also need to recognize everyone that does so much at UUFoM to make our spiritual home what it is. Thanks to Reverend Eric for the inspiring, thought-provoking sermons; to our committee and team leaders, RE teachers, building and grounds fixer-uppers, the kitchen team that keeps the coffee pouring and the dishes clean and sanitary, and the choir (wow, the choir!)  

And most of all, thanks to all of you, our members and friends. It has been an inspiring year, and this place, these people, you people have kept me on my toes and keep me coming back.  I thank all of you. 

I hope to see you this Sunday (or next.)
Tom Bailey
Board President