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Unity Center
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Unity Center
Board for 2009-2010:
President: Dick Allen
Photos of Board Members |
From the Board | |
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March 2010: The end of 2009 not only brought an abundance of winter
weather to our area, but also new employment for our Board President, John
Abbott. While being a welcome financial opportunity for him, working out
of town and often for long hours resulted in his having to resign from the
Board. John’s 7+ months of service as Board President was characterized as
one of energetic and creative leadership We will miss you, John, and wish you
much success in your new endeavors. Many, many thanks for blessing us with
your presence and service.
During the January Board meeting, Dick Allen moved from Vice President to President, Suka Chapel was voted in as Vice President, and Joyce Burgess agreed to serve out the remaining portion of John’s term on the board. These folks will serve until Board elections in May. One of the many unique things about Unity is openness to new ideas. Robbie & Jen McLucas recently suggested a novel way to create a Unity presence in downtown Asheville. Thus, Truth On Tap, a twice/month gathering at the Lexington Avenue Brewery was born. Chad meets with any and all who want to sit at the Unity table and share thoughts and beer. Eighteen folks were at the second gathering, and it’s not only a great way to introduce Unity to others, but a way for fellow Unitics to bond. Try it out the next second or fourth Tuesday, bet you’ll enjoy. Snows in December and January caused the cancellation of two Sunday services. The resulting loss of revenue taxed our already challenged financial position. This prompted Board member Bill Jonsen to devise a creative way to re-introduce the Faithful Steward concept to the congregation. No one present at either of the Feb. 7th services will soon forget Bill and Phyllis’ appeal, set in a Star Trek theme! Thank you both for your inspired and interesting presentation. If any of you are interested in becoming a Faithful Steward, you can do so by calling the church office, and letting Kathy know of your intention to have your Visa or Mastercard account debited each month, or pledge a monthly amount from your checking account online. Either way, it insures that your offering will be made regardless of the weather.... so the Unity Ship can stay on course! I want to offer special recognition of the following volunteer efforts:
For the many who graciously perform their efforts to make our church what it is – Thank You! Respectfully submitted, Dick Allen, Board President | ||
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December 2009: The winter solstice is upon us and along with it the
"darkest" and shortest "times" of the seasons in our year.
A number of celebrations helped us keep the warmth and "light"
glowing and growing in our hearts, quelling the seeming cold and darkness.
Included in these times of celebration were...
Your board has been hard at work on number of initiatives including...
Keep our upcoming Auction in the forefront of your mind especially as you begin to "change over" from one season to the next. The Auction, on March 19, is one of our biggest fund-raisers of the year, and we are looking for "gently used", quality items of value to be donated. We'd like the auction to be less a "yard sale" event, and more an event people will remember as an "awesome" experience of buying and selling high-value items. If you are a business person, or one who has contacts, consider donating interesting items of value or whatever service you can offer. We always get great results selling services such as handyman work, photo shoots, interior decorating consultations, and the like. Since our space is limited, we'd appreciate your keeping these special items safe in your home or business until the call is made to gather them in to our facility. For more info, contact Janie Adair or Bobbi Abbott, Co-Chairs of this year's auction. Let's "circle the wagons" to make this the BEST auction EVER! I want you to know our Board has such a wonderful spirit of warmth and amity and we are so thankful to have Rev. Chad as our spiritual guide and mentor. We also deeply cherish the opportunity to serve each and every one of you! Please let us know your thoughts and ideas and, if possible, lend us your hands in service as we continue to build on this marvelous experience we call Unity. You always have a personal invitation to attend any of our Board meetings which are normally held the third Monday at 6:00pm. With the passing of the winter solstice, we usher in and welcome, with great joy and gladness, the "light" which grows increasingly in warmth, brightness and breadth in our hearts, our minds, and our world. Be sure to invite your relatives, friends, and neighbors to share this "uniquely different" experience with you. May it be ever so. Yours in Unity, John Abbott, Board President | ||
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June, 2009: As the new Board year begins we would be remiss if we did not stop to reflect on the wonderful accomplishments and contributions of those who have gone before us. A very special thank you to Mike Birkle who has led this Board as President lo these past few years! Mike, your patience, understanding, and quiet strength in leadership have helped each of the members of this Board, and the Church as a whole, grow in love and Unity. We so much appreciate your dedication to us! Krishna, you blessed us with your wisdom and inner personal strength and we are grateful for your many contributions. Your thought-provoking ideas and sensitivity helped us to think through our processes more carefully and diligently. Thank you, Linda Walker, for being our Secretary and taking care of all the minute details of our Board. I know this position is a difficult one and you kept the faith through to the end and we are blessed to have had your services. Nancy Pew, thank you for devoting your time and talents to us. You have the uncanny ability to pierce through to the heart of issues very quickly and helped us to see clearly what could have been pretty thorny issues. Thank you for your honesty, integrity and charity. And John Piel, thank you, too, for your high energy and your determination to see the job through to the end. We bless you with an easy path ahead and pray for continued guidance in your ventures. To our new Board members, Pat, Bill, Suka, Brad, Gary, and Joyce, we welcome your insights, your input, and your initiatives with open arms. Thank you for saying "yes" to serving on this Board and serving the Church. We know, with your assistance and dynamism, our Church will be provided with the tools it wants and needs to enhance and enliven our spiritual walk. The entire Board wishes the Church to know how humbled we are to have been chosen to provide the leadership for the year ahead. We know we are your instruments to effect that leadership and our hearts and minds are open to your cares and concerns. We welcome your comments and suggestions submitted in any form as well as your active participation at our Board meetings held the third Monday at 6pm at the Church. We welcome and encourage your prayers for wisdom in the decisions we make and will continue in the Spirit of love and fellowship to support the Church in every way we can. Enjoy the Now! ~ John Abbott, Board President | ||
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Annual Meeting - May 17, 2009
Thank you to all who participated in the Annual Meeting, and especially to those who brought the food! We made a Bylaws change so that all references to Unity Center of Christianity in Fletcher were changed to Unity Center of Christianity in Mills River, to match the change in our mailing address. We are holding our own financially, with the help of a one-time gift of $35,000 from an anonymous member. Elected to 3 years terms on the Board: Suka Chapel, Pat Johnson, Bill Jonsen. Elected as Board Alternates (for 1-year terms): Joyce Burgess, Gary Prichard, Brad Swift. Our thanks to Mike Birkle, Krishna Murphy, Linda Walker who just completed their terms on the Board. We elected Mike Birkle to the 2010 Nominating Committee, with Geri Conley as Alternate. | ||
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from Mike Birkle Board President, 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 |
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Perspectives from Mike Birkle - June 2009 One Sunday Chad asked me if I would be up to running for the Board... just need an additional volunteer to fill out the slate of candidates kind of thing. So some seven years ago, I embarked on this little mission of service. I remember that first Annual Meeting I attended as a candidate for the Board. Sandwiches were more white bread than whole wheat, and the majority of the meeting was centered around finances (though it seems that more than cursory attention is usually given to the finances). Faced with the appearance of lack, the acceptance of the Treasurer's report included a lively discussion of economic beliefs taking up more than an hour. Calls for budget cuts and tighter scrutiny and emotional testimonials on fiscal responsibility ensued. In contrast were those who spoke out for staying the course and investing in growth. We did manage to complete the business at hand, but more significantly, we chose to embrace the ideal of moving forward in the direction we want to see rather than perceive in the moment. In retrospect I wonder, what has changed over seven years? The Board, volunteers, and staff have gone about the daily business of Unity, the lights are still on, the doors open, the Word spoken. We share fellowship, music, and a little enlightenment, all the while doing our best to embrace what comes our way without much drama. Of note is the new entrance. Even as the parts of the errant truck still remained, we as a Board saw an opportunity and moved forward with what we envisioned to be, rather than dwelling on the perceived loss. Many volunteers have given of themselves - their time, talents, and treasures - to make this such a splendid space. I think it is a true testament to what can happen when we embrace opportunity with an open mind and heart. I can also report that at our 2009 meeting no white bread was served. The budget received slightly more than cursory attention. We changed the Bylaws to reflect our new town, "Mills River." New Board members were elected and business completed in less time than it takes to watch a Disney movie. Thank you all who participated in this necessary piece of Church business. Change will happen with our eyes open or closed; embraced or not, change will happen. Especially today this seems so relevant, as our society is being driven forward at an amazing rate by technology. The information age has brought vast exposure to many ideas, providing an understanding beyond that of stereotyped labels and preconceived ideals. Even though these concepts are sometimes framed divisively, they move us toward a common future. Green, Gay, and God are out of the closet and on Main Street. Yet I am aware that how we embrace change denotes our level of blessing. I leave the Board knowing that change is the reality of the world. I embrace the opportunity to move on to new horizons, and cherish the experience and fellowship of present and past board members. To the new members of the Board, I extend my hearty congratulations – may you be so blessed. As in life, an experience is blessed to the extent that it is embraced. The continuity in my life of friends and fellowship at Unity remains a true gift. Thank you all, ~ Mike Birkle, past Board President | ||
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Feb. 2009 ~ Difficult times remind us how important it is to be part of a community. When we come together as a spiritual family, we are supported and nurtured in so many ways. You are not alone! We are family. I can report to you that here at Unity we still have a roof over our heads, diverse opportunities for fellowship, celebration, learning, and expanding our spiritual paths as we so choose. Thank you, God. We have been "keeping the faith" here at Unity, in spite of an appearance of lack: the financial deficit we've been running. In February, a long-time member of our church decided to cash in an annuity early to give us a planned gift now, instead of waiting for the church to inherit it via her will. The check was for $35,000! Thank you to God-made-manifest in the person of our dear benefactor! This removes our deficit for the year-to-date, but we must all remember to continue to do our part to support our church home. By giving, we affirm our own sense of abundance and keep the Flow moving through us. Please invest some time in checking out all that is offered here at Unity. You may find some unnoticed treasure to add to your life's experience. I cannot emphasize enough the fulfillment that comes from participation - in a workshop, special event, or an opportunity to serve in support of your Unity family. We will honor our many volunteers with a great Show during both services on Sunday, April 26... be sure to be there to enjoy the Show and find out who will be our Volunteer(s) of the Year! There are many ways to get involved here at Unity. Consider reaching out to the greater community. Our church family did some wonderful outreach together over the holidays. We delivered our love via Teddy Bears and provided an impressive pile of Christmas gifts for 75 children. We collected blankets & clothes for Native Americans out west, and food for IAM's Pantry on Soup-er Bowl Sunday. Know that each of us has more than we need, a blessed abundance to share. There is no lack, for the Source of all knows no bounds. I wish to thank every member of our Unity family for the blessing in divine form that you are and for all that you contribute. And remember, sometimes just showing up is all that's needed. ~ Mike Birkle, Board President |
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June 2008 - Tis the season to be jolly fa la la la la la la la ..... Ok wrong season but apt sentiment. Even summer time, which really is not my preferred season (Yes I'm a Scrooge at heart when it comes to summer), holds a reason to celebrate; I just have to look harder. But Unity remains a constant source of joy. Well, with the coming of summer we close our fiscal year and there have definitely been some challenges there, but we need not dwell on the past - rather let's move forward with direction and purpose. At the Annual Meeting we elected new members to the Board. I look forward to service with John Abbott, Deni Neithammer, Nancy Pew, and their alternates Charley Rogers and Dick Allen. I hope they find as much reward in their service as Board members as I have. And with new Board members there are those departing; Betsy Whatley, Mike Vaniman, Will Allen, and Jim Wohlgemuth. I wish to extend my heart-felt thanks for their service and what's more, the real pleasure of their company. In the coming year with the new Board, we will be revisiting and revitalizing our mission and vision for Unity, looking specifically at ways to facilitate making this a reality. And with that in mind, I extend an invitation to consider sharing what that is for you and how we can make it a reality. As Board president I have many expectations for what we at Unity can be and accomplish. But as long as we can balance the budget, get a decent cup of coffee Sunday morning and a great hug well that wouldn't be too bad for starters... Our Faithful Stewards program allows you to tithe by credit card to make it convenient and easy to support your spiritual family. Tithing becomes one less thing to think about. The Faithful Stewards help the church to have a more balanced, consistent revenue picture. Thank you to all of you who have sent prayers my way for my health challenges. It's good to know that my spiritual family is there to support me. ~ Mike Birkle, Board President Greening Unity Our Unity Center is exploring small and large ways to
"go green." We hope to serve as a model for green techniques, and thus to qualify for
grants for the more expensive items.
Cost-saving Measures Although we did not exceed the Expenses that were budgeted for fiscal year 2007-08, our church experienced a significant drop in Income, resulting in a $44,000 deficit for the year. For this year's budget, we looked long and hard for ways to reduce expenses. The following cuts have been made:
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March, 2008 ~ Our Faithful Stewards program now has 27 families signed up to give monthly by credit or debit card. This tithe by credit card campaign helps make giving more convenient by using the technology of the 21st century.
This initiative makes it easy to support your spiritual family, especially for those of us with a lot on our plates. Tithing becomes one less thing to think about. The Faithful Stewards help the church to have a more balanced, consistent revenue picture. If you did not receive the mailing, call the church or drop by the Bookstore, fill out the form and forget about it. Our Nominating Committee is now working on creating a slate of candidates for the Board. If you are interested in serving in this important and interesting growth opportunity, talk to Chad or a Board member. If you know of someone that you think would make a good Board member, let us know that too! Board members attend a meeting once a month, and serve for 3 year terms. We will elect new Board members at our Annual Meeting, which I hope you will plan to attend on Sunday, May 18, right after the 11:00 service (about 12:30). We need your presence to have quorum so we can vote and conduct the church's official business. Please plan to invest this little bit of time (a little over 1hour). A luncheon will be served to everyone attending the meeting. If you're not yet an official voting member, you can join on Sunday, May 18 after attending the New Member Orientation on Monday, May 12. Thank you to all of you who have sent prayers my way for the health challenge I've been facing. It's good to know that my spiritual family is there to support me. Although the doctors still haven't agreed on what's going on, I am slowly improving and have returned to work. ~ Mike Birkle, Board President | ||
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December, 2007 ~ Well, another season has passed, our summer chores were accomplished, the building exterior has been refurbished, painted, shrubs trimmed, and grass mowed for the last time. As we move into Christmas where it's easy to get wrapped up in the Madison Avenue hype (to feel the pressure of finding the right gift, finding the money for the right gift, finding the time to find the right gift) or for many of us personal issues dealing with the ghosts of Christmas past, that we forget "Jesus is the reason for the season". Christmas is a celebration of His birth, life and ultimate gift to us. Granted it is wonderful that we set aside a holiday to try and emulate Jesus through acts of giving. But it is in those who give in their daily life, who don't have to wait for a holiday, that we find the true meaning of Christmas. To all of you I want to give thanks, and especially to all the volunteers who have helped and continue to help keep Unity running. Your Talents, Time, Treasures and Tithe make it all possible and continue to make it possible. There is no gift too small, though sometimes unnoticed and personally unacknowledged, the worth is no less. So whether you choose "ho ho ho", or "BAH, humbug", this Christmas season remember that in the end, even Scrooge, found the ultimate gift of giving warmed his soul. We are starting the tithe by credit card campaign to help make giving more convenient and nudge us into the 21st century. Sometimes change is easy sometimes not. This initiative will be easy, especially for those of us with a lot on our plates. Tithing will be just one less thing to think about. For the church, this will allow us to have a more balanced revenue picture over time. Look for more information in the mail or just drop by the Book store, fill out the form and forget about it. Merry Christmas from the Board ~ Mike Birkle, Board President | ||
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September, 2007 ~ Wow time flies, summer is winding down, vacations ending, school back in session and time to think about those summer projects that need wrapping up, as well as some new ones to get started. The Board has a few projects and initiatives on our agenda. September the much needed church exterior maintenance and repainting is to be accomplished. And the upper story glass treatment will be completed. Coffee, anyone? We are now serving organic fair trade coffee, both regular and decaf, so enjoy. We are also looking at energy usage and ways to lower costs and our CO2 burden on the planet. Along those lines, I'd like extend a special thanks to Tom Kreimeier who over the last year has changed over most of the lighting to low wattage florescent bulbs and yes, it only takes 1 Unitic to change a light bulb, actually thanks to everyone who gives the gift of their time, talents, treasures, and tithe. And with the ending of summer it is nice to see all of our returning members - hope you had a great summer! ~ Mike Birkle, Board President | ||
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June, 2007: As incoming Board President, I would like to give my thanks for the opportunity to serve our Unity family. The direction of the new Board, other than keeping the roof over our heads and the lights on, remains to empower, to help bring to fruition the ideas and dreams of this spiritual family. To this end I would ask that you search your heart and I extend an invite to anyone so motivated to attend our board meetings. Without you there is no purpose or direction. Contentment and peace are not generally thought of as motivational factors, but purpose and direction - when from the heart, building on what brings you peace - can be. The Board President is elected by the Board each April during the last meeting before the Annual Meeting. The rest of your new Board officers (Vice Pres, Treasurer, and Secretary) will be selected at our next meeting. We say a fond farewell and thank you to our departing Board members, Terry Gratton, Janie Adair, and Cathy Visoskis. It has been a joy to serve and grow with you. And welcome to John Peil, Jim Wohlegemuth, and Judy Purdee! We look forward to getting to know you in the deep way that flows out of working together. The Board wants to encourage all our members to commit to giving on a regular basis. Please consider the convenience of automated credit card giving to Unity, so that we may have a more stable income flow. We are forming a new Fundraising Team to create a variety of new income streams for Unity. To be a part of this initiative, contact Terry Gratton. In most spiritual traditions, service is a cornerstone of spiritual growth. Consider how you could express your gifts through service. Love In Action service opportunities are listed on page 15. Getting involved really is the best way to meet and make friends within the church. Your fellow Unitics are fascinating people! Your involvement will deepened your sense of belonging. If you enjoy technical things, come see me in the Sound Booth! ~ Mike Birkle, Board President | ||
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from Krishna Murphy Board President, 2006-2007 |
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October 2006: My Dear Unitics: With the recent passing of our dear sister Laura W., I am reminded once again of the enormous Grace we experience, being here - often without noticing. I also just had the one year anniversary of my own open-heart surgery, necessitated due to medical negligence, and I give thanks for my current state of well-being. I have an image in my mind now from our marvelous Unity bookstore, of a cartoon cat doing an impromptu dance in a graveyard, with the caption "Any day above ground is a good day!" That is most definitely the case for me - thank you, God!!! It brings a perspective that's so much clearer to the smaller aspects of life, which we all, I think, tend to get caught up in when we’re "on autopilot" (as I regularly find myself to be.) Does it really matter so much, in the long run, whether we are cut off on the freeway, or even get pulled over for a citation? What about the guy in front of you in line at the grocery store who’s having trouble handling his wallet or can’t remember the PIN code for his card? I experience being frustrated and upset too often by such trivial matters - but at least I have also given myself the opportunity to REMEMBER one of the teachings I’ve been exposing myself to at Unity. Maybe I’m wearing a rubber band on my wrist, so I can snap it and remind myself that I have to "watch my mind as carefully as I would a snake" (inspired by J. Krishnamurti & related by our fearless leader, Chad.) Or perhaps I’ll "simply remember my favorite things," or another song from the Broadway show (coming soon to your church!) that we've been practicing together, "enjoying our comm-unity." We are so fortunate here - the grace is truly breathtaking! Not only do I not have to wonder whether my neighborhood will be shelled from the other side of an imaginary line (by someone lost in their grief over the untimely death of so many loved ones lately that I can hardly conceive of it), I have the chance to be a part of the LIA at Unity. LIA is Love In Action - and if you haven’t yet availed yourself, it’s on the bulletin board at Unity. Being the Love of God in action is an absolutely extraordinary experience - it’s liberating, and thrilling! In the past, I’ve been careful to make sure that I don’t overcommitt - and that’s a good thing to do; I recommend being most deliberate in commitments, such that they are readily honored. I also have not GIVEN myself nearly as much of the opportunity to benefit by being generous with my energy as I would, in retrospect, prefer that I had. I’ve limited what I can receive by keeping what I could actually afford to give (whether time, talent, or treasure), thus giving myself an unconscious message like "I don’t have room for more right now" or "there’s not enough to go around." Perhaps it seems self-serving to say this, but I truly experience being blessed by the giving I HAVE done - and I urge you to look for the RIGHT WAY FOR YOU to do that, too. Maybe it’s at a local community service agency (and we work with them at Unity!), or perhaps even the little old lady down the street who’s struggling with a large bundle that she needs to move from her car. Our lives are not the simple things that popular culture would make of them - each of us is a student of Life, with the Master Teacher setting the curriculum and sending the inspiration our way each and every day. Look for the otherwise unnoticed opportunity as you go through every moment of your day - I guarantee you will be benefited out of all proportion if you simply allow yourself to notice when the next one arrives. And do check out the LIA board - perhaps you will find what you’re looking for there, or something that’s looking for you. Until we meet again, I bid you adieu. May the Love of God enfold you, and the power of God keep you safe and happy always. Yours Truly! Krishna Murphy, Board President | ||
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August 2006: My Dear Unitics:
Greetings! I hope this finds you well and happy, as I am. I've pondered much over what I might share in this message. Though the function of the Board is to handle the church's business, there is so much more that is meaningful in being a Unitic. As Board members, we in some way exemplify that; my life certainly reflects it, as you’ll see. There is one item of business I want to bring to your attention. We finished our last fiscal year “in the black” - for the first time since I’ve been on the board! Congratulations, and thanks so much to everyone for your contributions. I know some folks were very concerned in that regard; your faith has born fruit. We’ll always have new challenges, like the tractor being repaired now, or the usual winter Sundays with ice storms forcing cancellation of services and the consequent loss of a substantial chunk of our revenue stream that month. One way of smoothing these minor bumps in our financial road was brought out at the Board Training we hosted recently – they called it the “Consistent Giving Program.” We already have the infrastructure to implement such a program her, and you’ll be hearing more about that grace-filled opportunity soon. As many of you know, I had the opportunity to overcome major challenges in the arena of health over the last several years. Thanks again to everyone, both for the wonderful support you gave and most especially for your many heartfelt prayers; I am certain that the excellent new level of well-being I enjoy is due in no small part to your Love, and you are in my heart forever. The power of our prayers has no limit, and the needs are present at every moment. At this time, I ask you to please hold our dear sister Laura W. in your prayers as she overcomes her health challenges. Her courage and faith are sure to be rewarded, and we are blessed to be empowered to hold her in our hearts. Prayer has benefited me in every area of my life, and I am grateful that I have had your support in that. I know that many of you have experienced the striking effects of prayer as practiced here, and I encourage each of you to take full advantage of the extraordinary blessings available. I hope you will share YOUR experiences of that power in your life with others, as I am sharing with you – then invite them on over to the church! “The more, the merrier!” One of the many ways that I have been blessed through the power of prayer and positive intention is in the area of experiencing “Plenty.” I refer to it as such, rather than “Abundance” or “Prosperity” as other sometimes do, not because there is anything inherently wrong with those concepts, but rather because I have some negative associations with those terms from the way I’ve seen others use them. For me, “Plenty” means having ALL that you need, plus a little bit more for comfort – without the connotation of waste that I’ve heard exalted in so many other programs. This experience of financial blessing has moved me to overcome further resistance in myself, and I have accepted the special invitation to join the 4-T program (“Tithe your Time, Talent, and Treasure”) extended by Chad and the facilitators. I hope you join us; this program begins soon, and your presence will be a great blessing. It's been good to have a chance to share these things with you, and I thank you for your gracious attention. The world is richer for your beloved presence. May the blessings of God be upon you as you go forth! Yours Truly! | ||
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Thank you to all who participated in the Annual Meeting, and especially to those who brought the food! Our Treasurer reported that we showed a surplus of $5,191 for the fiscal year. Re-elected to 3 years terms on the Board: Mike Birkle, Krishna Murphy, Elected to a new 3-year term: Linda Walker. Elected as Board Alternates (for 1-year terms): Mike Vaniman, Cathy Visoskis. Our thanks to Amanda Trancoso who just completed her term on the Board. We elected Margaret Klava to the 2007 Nominating Committee, with Joe Glowacki as Alternate. Joe Glowacki reminded us that it's time to inspect, repair, and paint the siding on our building, to prevent further, more costly repairs. | ||
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from Terry Gratton Board President 2005-2006 |
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June, 2006:
I was in a quandary regarding the subject of this letter to you all until I reviewed this past year’s Board minutes. We have accomplished our main goal which was to increase our church membership.
Friendship Sunday took months of planning. It was a great success. Betsy Whatley and Janie Adair, both Board members, co-chaired the event. They could not have accomplished as much as they did without the support of many volunteers. Our amazing band treated us to a wonder-filled concert. I saw church members moved to tears by the beautiful music. The energy in the church was electric. We all had a good time. The friend that I brought is still bragging about the wonders of Unity We hosted the Unity Board/Minister Training Retreat for UMMAS Region last July. This event was huge and again Betsy Whatley and Janie Adair spearheaded the entire successful affair. We have been asked to host this event again this year. Sudbury School Committee approached the Board proposing that we rent space to them for the upcoming year. Thus, Sudbury School has been with us since October. We were able to get our mortgage refinanced to flat 6% fixed interest rate giving us a substantial savings. We adopted a Unity Church in Key West which was totally ruined during hurricane Katrina. The auction was another huge undertaking. It was co hosted by Kathy West, B.J. Condrey, Kathleen Eislet and myself. At least 60 volunteers helped make this event the best auction ever bringing in almost $9,000.00. The Bookstore personnel had requested a Mission Statement. Thanks to Bill Black, they now have one. Thanks to Nancy Glowacki for all she does. On a personal level, I would like to thank all of you for the support you have given to the Board and for all the good work that you do for this church. I have met wonderfully kind and loving people. I have completed the year long commitment as President. I have enjoyed every moment and have been privy to working with Board Members who have taught me with their wisdom and experience. I thank them for their support. May I also express my appreciation to Reverend Chad for his guidance and humor. God bless you all! I will continue to serve as President of the Board through June, when the Board will choose its new President. I do have one more year remaining of my term, during which I plan to be very active both on the Board and within the membership. I can only say to you all that I have been truly blessed by this experience. Terry Gratton, Board President | ||
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April, 2006: Can you believe, spring is here? For me this is a time of retrospect and anticipation. There is still work to accomplish before the Annual Membership Meeting on May 21. At the February meeting, the Board approved purchase of a new video camera. Mike Birkle is responsible for buying it; it will probably arrive by early April. Mike is one of the people behind the scenes in the sound booth, taping our programs & services. He also quietly takes care of things that need tending for the well-being of our church building.
We thank Bill Black & Janie Adair for writing the Bookstore mission statement…”To offer books, music, and items of spiritual, self help, and religious nature for our members and others who use our church.” The monthly game nights started in January, and have had a good turnout. Everyone enjoys this inexpensive night out, and friendships are forming. We meet once a month, 7pm - 10:30pm. Dates are on the Schedule. All adults are invited for a friendly evening of fun and games. Come play with us! The Board also approved a garage sale. We need a couple of volunteers to lead the garage sale team. Call Terry to tithe some of your time to this effort. The proceeds will go to the Y.O.U. Our building is 6 years old and it is time to have a “painting party”. We want the classrooms to look cheerful and bright. We need volunteers for one or two Saturdays to prep and paint. We will even feed the paint team and the garage sale team. This also can be a lot of fun and a great time to meet new folks. Please call Chad with any questions We are figuring out different ways to use the patio. We are getting estimates on the cost of partially covering it so that we can have more activities out there. We believe in the importance of our monthly Friday night Spiritual Cinema series, and are looking into estimates to put more blinds up in the chapel so that movies can be viewed during the evenings when it is still light out. We are also addressing ways to increase our membership and serve our members. Janie Adair and Betsy Whatley are co chairing Friendship Day. This event will take place on Sunday, April 30th and it will be a lot of fun. Please think about who you would like to invite and also how you might help out. As previously stated, the All Membership Meeting will be held on May 21. There will be three openings for regular Board members and 2 openings for Alternates. If you are interested in serving your church in this capacity please contact any Board Member, Jana, or Chad for more information. As of the end of May, I will no longer be serving you as President of the Board. I do have one more year remaining of my term, during which I plan to be very active both on the Board and within the membership. I can only say to you all that I have been truly blessed by this experience. God bless you. Terry Gratton, Board President | ||
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February, 2006: This is the time of year that the Board starts looking for candidates for the up coming May elections to be held at the All Member Meeting.
We are looking for folks who have a vested interest in the well being of our church, who are willing to attend the Board meetings on regular basis and who are willing to actively participate in the projects supported by the Board. Being a Board Member is not a difficult job. It is a position that requires a commitment. So, if you have interest, the time(1 1/2 hrs per month), and a willingness to actively participate, I encourage you to approach me, Chad or any Board Member to answer your questions and possible concerns regarding this important decision. There will be several openings that will need to be filled. If the first thought that comes to your head tells you that you are not qualified, believe me, I understand. I too operated under the same misconception. Voice your questions, concerns and muster your enthusiasm. Then let the rest just happen! The Board raised $293 from the Holiday Basket Raffle. The proceeds were donated to the Y.O.U. Thanks again to our wonderful members who purchased chances. And a big thanks to Janie Adair who made up the basket. Several members donated items. We are waiting for the new cabinets for the hallways by the coat room. They were delivered but need to be returned due to damage. Carol Bronson has resigned as Bookstore manager and Bill Black has replaced her. Thank you, Carol. Good luck, Bill. Welcome aboard. Unity hosted its first adult social Game Night. It was a big success. Lots of fun, laughter, and fellowship was experienced by all. Please join us for the next Game Night on Saturday, Feb 25 at 7 pm. This is an adult evening out. Child care is not provided. The Church Mutual annual multi-peril insurance policy premium has decreased by 23%. this amounts to approximately $1200.00 in savings. We are thinking about having a garage sale here in the spring. If you have any ideas regarding this project or wish to run it, please let me know. Not only does belonging to the Unity Family nourish the soul, it is a light that shines on the path of our journey and all of the activities make it a fun place to be. Happy Valentines Day from your Board!
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December, 2005: We are getting ready to wind up another exciting year here at Unity. Christmas is around the corner which means that we all are busy preparing for and anticipating the festivities. The stuffed animals are being corralled into the pen in the front lobby. There are gifts to purchase and deliver to our families whose names we have chosen. The church is decorated beautifully thanks to
Nancy Glowacki and her merry band of volunteers.
The Auction was a big event. It was very successful due to the large number of volunteers who set up and who donate their time and goods to our church. More than 200 people attended. We grossed almost $8,000. Carol Bronson and Pat Johnson requested some guidelines regarding the function and purpose of the Bookstore. A small committee was set up to write a mission statement. As you probably have noticed the Bookstore is a very busy place on Sundays. We are grateful to Pat & Carol and to the volunteers who also help on Sundays and during the week. When you see them, let them know how much they are appreciated. Betsy Whatley and Janie Adair are co-chairing the Friendship Day Committee. This event is slated for sometime in April. It will be a lot of fun because we will bring friends to help us celebrate. We would like to have a Game Night once a month where we all get together at the church for fellowship and play games. If you have any ideas about that, let me know. Your input is very important. New cabinets will be installed in the hallway where the coat racks are. They will be custom made to match the ones in the main entrance area. Nancy Glowacki is facilitating the project. 16 new members were welcomed into the church on Nov. 20. Many of those folks already have volunteered for various projects including the auction. Please make them feel welcome. The Board appropriated a $1,000 donation to the Unity Church in Key West rebuilding fund. That church was completely destroyed by hurricane Wilma. In a couple of weeks you will have an opportunity to buy raffle tickets for a beautiful holiday basket filled with goodies. The drawing will be Sunday Dec. 18 and the proceeds will benefit the Uniteens. It is a way for us to acknowledge them and to show our appreciation. Happy Holidays from your Board!
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October, 2005: Here it is October. It’s unbelievable how fast the time goes!
I looked around the table at the last Board meeting and was so grateful to be apart of this particular group of people serving the church. Each of us brings a certain flavor or should I say flair to the meetings. Coming from diverse back grounds, it is amazing how we all work together for the Greater Good. These folks are dedicated to serving Unity. There is humor, compassion, and understanding as we work to accomplish the business of the church.
Not only do the Board Members meet monthly, they donate their time to different projects going on at the church. They serve on committees and participate on the various church related-projects. Several members were responsible, along with church members, for setting up the magnificent meals served at the Minster/Board Retreat. It took several days and countless hours to prepare for that event. All of the Board Members in one capacity or another, are involved with the monumental job of putting the Auction together.
None of these events could take place without the graciousness of the membership who volunteer their time, talent, money and goods. All of the events that occur in the church…concerts, workshops, potlucks, etc. are successful because they are supported by members who attend and who volunteer. You do not go unnoticed. You are appreciated and loved.
I have noticed several new faces at the Sunday services. Some are returning for the second and third time. If you see folks whom you don’t recognize, introduce yourselves, welcome them. If you are like me, you may find out that the have been a member for a long time or they may be new. Either way, you will feel great.
I invite you to volunteer. It is a wonderful way to connect with others and to feel really good about yourself. It is a way to give back to the church. There are many unsung heroes who quietly give their time to help out. We have all kinds of projects that need your help. Let’s have fun serving our church.
Our goal this year is to increase our membership, to fill those chairs on Sunday and to serve you in any way that we can.
Bring a friend. Be a friend. Keep in mind our Vision: Unity Center is an inspired community joyfully practicing Universal Peace, Love and Acceptance.
Terry Gratton, Board Presiden | ||
August, 2005: I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for you kindness and your support of all of The Board Members. A year ago I was asked if I would be willing to place my name on the ballot for Board elections. After making several excuses to myself for not participating, I began to ask God what He thought it. The answer came as the question, “What am I afraid of?” I asked myself how would I know if I was capable of performing the duties of a Board Member? That was the time that I realized by the Grace of God that I would not know unless I took the risk and tried. During the past year I was an active participant of the Board. I also volunteered on other church-related committees. I observed Brad Swift at the Board Meetings. I watched how he directed the Board, his attitude towards us and his relationship with us and with our minister. I was very impressed, and when he resigned his position, I felt sad. This year, when I was approached to run for the presidency, I asked the same questions of myself. Again I received the same answers from The Divine One. This time I had one other question. “How will I ever fill Brad’s shoes?” The answer was, “Why fill his shoes? Why not my own?” What an awakening! This is what I am asking of the Board Members and of you. Fill your own shoes. Reach out to the new members and to the visitors. People who come to Unity are spiritual seekers. Remember how you felt when you first walked through the doors when you were welcomed with a smile, a hug, or an understanding nod. I remember the first time I came to a Sunday service in the old church, I was broken and sad, looking for God. Some one reached out to me and I came back for more of what our beloved Unity offers. I invite you to volunteer. It is a wonderful way to connect with others and to feel really good about yourself. It is a way to give back to the church. There are many unsung heroes who quietly give their time to help out. We have all kinds of projects that need your help. Let’s have fun serving our church. Our goal this year is to increase our membership, to fill those chairs on Sunday and to serve you in any way that we can. We are looking at starting up some social groups like a book club, softball team, game night. Bring a friend. Be a friend. Keep in mind our Vision. Unity Center is an inspired community joyfully practicing Universal Peace, Love and Acceptance. Terry Gratton, Board President | ||
from Dick Allen Board President, 2010-
from John Abbott, Board President, 2009-2010
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Unity Center
2041 Old Fanning Bridge Road Mills River, NC 28759 (828) 891-8700 or 684-3798 Email us! Facebook: UnityMillsRiver |
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