First Unitarian Church of Rochester
Annual Report 2014-15
Photo credit: Sarah O’Connor
220 Winton Road South
Rochester, New York 14610
www.rochesterunitarian.org
www.facebook.com/firstu
Church Staff
2014-2015
* denotes staff who worked here only part of 2014-15
Rev. Kaaren Anderson, Senior Minister
Rev. David S. Blanchard, Associate Minister
Rev. Emily Hartnett Liefert, Associate Minister
Rev. Marcus Hartnett Liefert, Associate Minister
Rev. Tina Simson, Minister of Pastoral Care & Spiritual Development
Tatiana Baglioni, Evening Administrative Assistant
Marjorie Bovenzi, Religious Education Administrator
Brian Casey-Campbell, Evening Administrative Assistant*
Eileen Casey-Campbell, Connections Coordinator
David Chamberlain, Church Sexton
Carol Anne Cleary, Office Administrator
Jan Cook, Mindfulness Educator
Christine Davis, Coming of Age Leader
Jesse “Rupert” Dubler, Deaf Inclusion Ministry Coordinator*
Tim Farnum, Youth Advisor Specialist
Sarah Gillepsie, Connections Coordinator*
Maxine Glinsky-Lopata, Junior High Drama Group Leader
John Grego, Church Sexton
Allen Gundlach, Finance and Database Director
William Hayes, Church Sexton
Wayne Holt, Coming of Age Leader
Veronica Howard, Social Justice Coordinator
Erin Julian, Executive Assistant
Emma Kilmer, Early Childhood Teacher
Colleen Klintworth, Youth Advisor Specialist
Theo Lincoln, Audio Visual Technician*
Kelly Lund, Early Childhood Teacher
Larry Medici, Substitute Sexton
Anthony Monahon, Evening Administrative Assistant
Vicki Robertson, UU/Schools Partnership Coordinator
Kristen Rogers, Director of Early Childhood Ministry
Sheila Schuh, Director of Religious Education
Thom Snell, Music Director
Ursula Staneff, Director of Finance and Operations
Law Tarello, Director of Junior High Youth Ministry*
Louis Torres, Social Justice Coordinator*
Sherrie Wilkinson, Youth Coordinator
Zachary Zwahlen, Organist
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Ministry Leaders
2014-2015
Worship
Rev. Kaaren Anderson
Innovative and Entrepreneurial Ministries
Rev. Kaaren Anderson
Adult Spiritual Development
Rev. Tina Simson
Religious Education for Children and Youth
Sheila Schuh
Music
Thom Snell
Pastoral Care
Rev. Tina Simson
Social Justice
Rev. Emily Hartnett Liefert
Membership
Rev. Emily Hartnett Liefert
Fund Development
Erin Julian
Denominational Affairs
Rev. Marcus Hartnett Liefert
Deaf Inclusion
Jesse “Rupert” Dubler
Building and Grounds
Ursula Staneff
Office Administration
Carol Anne Cleary
Leadership and Governance
David Burnet, President of the Congregation
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Officers and Trustees
2014-2015
Officers
David Burnet, President
Stephanie Ketterl, Vice President
Linda Friedman, Clerk
Don Wilder, Deputy Clerk
Bob Wells, Treasurer
Anne Perry, Assistant Treasurer
Caleb Shulman, Moderator
Trustees
John Dancy, Trustee 2016
John Farrell, Trustee 2015
Chris Graziano, Trustee 2017
Mary Moglia-Cannon, Trustee 2017
Jill Poremba, Trustee 2017
Will Soles, Trustee 2015
Ira Srole, Trustee 2016
Jane Tuttle, Trustee 2016
Leadership/Nominating Committee
Jackie Lange
Amy Lopata
Gaelen McCormick
Tim Via
Nora Walter
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Table of Contents
Minister’s Report.....................................................................................................................
6
Worship Ministry.....................................................................................................................
9
Innovative and Entrepreneurial Ministries.............................................................................
10
Adult Spiritual Development Ministry.....................................................................................
11
Religious Education Ministry for Children and Youth...............................................................
12
Music Ministry.........................................................................................................................
13
Pastoral Care Ministry.............................................................................................................
15
Social Justice Ministry.............................................................................................................
17
Membership Ministry..............................................................................................................
19
Fund Development Ministry....................................................................................................
20
Denominational Affairs Ministry...............................................................................................
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Deaf Inclusion Ministry............................................................................................................
25
Building and Grounds Ministry................................................................................................
26
Office Administration Ministry.................................................................................................
29
Board of Trustees: Leadership and Governance Ministry…………………………..…..........................
30
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Minister’s Report
Rev. Kaaren Anderson, Senior Minister
I begin this year’s report by saying we’ve had a FULL year. A FULL programming year, a year FULL of integrating
six key ministry leaders into our system, and a lot to be GrateFULL for. Here are a few highlights:
Roots and Wings and Comprehensive Campaign:
More than 200 individuals participated in the Roots and Wings sessions this past fall. It was an energizing and
collaborative effort. Participants expressed gratitude for the process and were excited to meet new people and
begin to understand that we are the church, not the building, not one faction or interest group, but together we
build the dreams of our future. These sessions gave participants an opportunity to collectively review the
current programs of our church, and to imagine the future of our congregation over the next 10 years. We
completed the analysis of our qualitative data by identifying the recurring themes expressed in the all the
discussion areas:
 Church Identity and Evolution: Building a diverse and inclusive church community, improving overall
communication and fellowship, and addressing the spiritual wellness of our members and families living
with mental illness were identified as priorities.
 Social Justice: Caring for the environment, anti-poverty issues, economic justice, education reform and
racism.
 Building and Grounds and Stewardship: Green sanctuary, technical support for worship and community
life, and general maintenance.
These areas offer clear guidelines for creative and responsive programming for the future, and are a much
needed 25,000 foot perspective. To lay a foundation for the future, we plan to merge the Roots and Wings
initiative with the 50,000 foot view that ministers and staff offer to the process so we can be a beacon for our
movement, community, and the fulfillment of our congregation’s dreams and aspirations in the next 10 years.
Roots and Wings very much informed the direction of the Comprehensive Campaign that the board voted to
embark upon earlier in the year. We will continue the silent campaign through the summer, and will launch the
larger campaign to the congregation in the fall.
Healthy Congregations
This year we continued our work to embrace the covenantal theology of Unitarian Universalism. Without a
creed to guide us theologically, our faith elevates our promise and connection to one another as the foundation
of our hopes as a congregation and our desires for the future.
We invited denominational expert and nationwide leader Rev. Roger Bertschausen from Fox Valley Unitarian
Universalist Fellowship in Appleton, Wisconsin to train our staff, board, and selected members in the
implementation of this Healthy Congregations program at First Unitarian and at the Unitarian Universalist
Church of Canandaigua (UUCC).
Much research has been done on what makes a congregation healthy, nimble and responsive to a changing
world. We are using that research and proven track records within other Unitarian Universalist congregations to
develop our Healthy Congregation Teams and Programs. We also thought it was imperative that we did this
work not in a time of crisis, but during a time of stability still in transition. The core of this program is the writing
of a covenant. Our covenant is a combination of our values, and our aspirations to be our best selves in the
world and with each other.
Members of our teams at First Unitarian are Bill Fugate, Jim Blake and Laura Wink. At UUCC the team consists of
Laura Wink (a member of both congregations), Edgar Brown and Lynn Overgaard.
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As senior minister, I oversee this team, but have asked Rev. Tina Simson to act as their advisor, especially as they
implement the program in both congregations. During the spring the teams offered nine educational and input
sessions during which they discussed with members what creates a healthy congregation and how each of us
has a part. They solicited input on what’s needed in an effective and living covenant, one that we can each
support.
From your input and their expertise in this work, they crafted a covenant that they present at the congregational
meeting. This will become a living document that guides our aspirations and our behavior, and elevates our
connection to one another and to our church. We will integrate this covenant into our leadership meetings, our
new member orientations, our small groups and committee meetings.
When we come together in September we will ask all members to support our covenant and to elevate this
important vow we hold as friends and members of this beloved community.
First Unitarian/UUCC Partnership
This partnership with our sister church in Canandaigua has proven both fruitful and heartening. The UUA is
currently working with many congregations of various sizes to consider various versions of multi-site ministries.
This partnership is known as a yoked model. Both congregations have their own board, finances and DNA.
However, we share program resources and staff, as more and more congregations of all sizes will need to
develop sustainable models for the future. I continue to serve as the lead minister, and am overjoyed to share
the work this year with Rev. Emily and Rev. Marcus as associate ministers at UUCC. I’m most excited to say that
as some of you know, UUCC has struggled with a building to serve their needs, both in terms of worship space
and Religious Education. This year the three ministers worked to help UUCC create a mission statement, and
embarked on a Capital Campaign to offer welcoming/expanded space, and inspiring space for the children. I am
thrilled to say as we wrap up the last details of the campaign, we have raised enough to give a green light to the
addition. At General Assembly, I will represent this partnership at a workshop for Multi-site ministries, and am
honored to represent the hard work that went into creating this partnership, both lay and ministerial leadership,
and the possibilities it holds for us in the region and as a denomination.
Innovative and Entrepreneurial Ministries
I’ve had the extreme delight of working with one of our new millennial ministers, Rev. Marcus Hartnett Liefert,
in the development of new programs and projects that keep our living tradition fresh, hip and relevant. These
projects include but are not limited to: creating a downtown space for the unchurched that offers a
subscription-based spiritual experience designed to reach people who are not interested in church, a Soul
Matters program for young adults around the country that includes our soon to be live streaming of the
Saturday service and apps to engage young adults with assignments, live chats, and connections to one another
around the country. We also are working on an app for the congregation and beyond, called “You Are the
Church,” that will benefit us all in communication, will offer some “gamification” options and direct information
to your phone based on your needs and preferences each week. Finally, I was lucky enough to be selected to
participate in a national entrepreneurial ministry program hosted by the UUA and taught by four leading
business schools (Stanford, University of Chicago, Duke and Harvard) For more on this ministry, please be sure
to check out the larger details in the annual report under: Innovation and Entrepreneurial Ministries.
New Staff Integration
This year we welcome six new key ministerial and program staff to the team. I find myself incredibly grateFULL.
It has been my complete delight and honor to serve this congregation alongside the many and unique gifts that
Rev. David Blanchard, Rev. Marcus Hartnett Liefert, and Rev. Emily Hartnett Liefert have brought to our worship,
programming, development, faith formation and vision. As always, Rev. Tina Simson continues to inspire and
ground us as well, and I’m proud to say we are one of the few congregations in our denomination that has
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ministers serving a five-decade expanse. We welcome to our absolute delight Ursula Staneff, as our Director of
Operations and Finance. Ursula is a genius at fundraising, holds an MBA in finance, and has proven herself as an
incredible asset regarding building and grounds as she in past work was the project manager for many
building/construction projects from concept to completion. She is a true blessing. Eileen Casey Campbell joined
us as our new Connections Coordination in full capacity in December, and as a religious millennial and a past
consultant for the Episcopal Diocese, is wise beyond her years and a welcome addition to the staff team. Finally
we welcomed Veronica Howard as the last addition to our team this year, as our Social Justice coordinator.
Veronica, as far as I can tell, knows everyone in Rochester, is a go getter, and holds a MA in Urban Planning.
Suffice it to say, YOUR staff, both those who have been here and those recently added, are exceptionally gifted,
creative, hardworking and committed to the mission and vision of First Unitarian. We are especially LUCKY and I
mean that, to have them.
As I finish my 11th year at First Unitarian, I am as always grateFULL as well for this congregation’s ability to
weather transition, change and yet stay committed to the long view, with your time, talent and treasure. It
continues to be a true privilege to be your minister.
In faith and love,
Rev. Kaaren Anderson
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Worship Ministry
Ministry Leader: Rev Kaaren Anderson, Senior Minister
Ministry Team Members: Rev. David Blanchard, Rev. Marcus Hartnett Liefert, Rev. Emily Hartnett Liefert and
Rev. Tina Simson, Thom Snell
Ministry Mission Statement:
We help people listen, open, serve by…providing people with joyful, practical and daring worship that reminds
people who they most want to be and rekindles their passion for life.
It’s about... Remembering and Rekindling.
Highlights:
New Ministerial Staff: They each have their gifts and this year we surely got the chance to witness, experience
and delight in their presence in our church community. Rev. David holds a gravitas that is almost unparalleled,
and a boomer perspective that is deep, pastoral, tender, lyrical and grounding. Rev. Emily Hartnett Webb lends
her humor and quick wit, her ability to cut to the chase with issues, distilling them down to their purest essence,
in a refreshing and engaging manner. Rev. Marcus Hartnett Webb’s deep assurance in self, in others, and in
goodwill to all is evident in his mastery of the worship service. Emily and Marcus’ millennial perspective is one
that we have yearned for and now relish in. All of them are gifted theologians and thoughtful ministers. We are
indeed lucky to call them our own.
Solstice: It was a dark night, when 750+ of you piled into the Sanctuary for a celebration to welcome back the
light. Ashe northern lights shone brightly on the Sanctuary ceiling, below we purged ourselves, in spirit and with
flash paper, in a fire communion where we let go of the trash that no longer served us. Then we welcomed back
the light together, with revelry and joy. I have heard from many of you, more than I can count, how wonderful
that service was. We added an additional service this year to accommodate those of you who couldn’t squeeze
in the previous year and had a record number of new comers join us for this now yearly celebration of life.
Summer worship: We are overjoyed that worship this summer is covered, created and held by Rev. Emily and
Rev. Marcus respectively. Their addition, in depth and breadth, will surely be a welcome and engaging summer
lineup.
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Innovative and Entrepreneurial Ministries
Ministry Leader: Rev. Kaaren Anderson
Ministry Team Member: Rev. Marcus Hartnett Liefert
Ministry Mission Statement:
We help people listen, open, serve by…developing new programs and projects that keep our living tradition
fresh, hip and relevant.
Vital Signs:
 Our church is seen as a leader in our movement in developing new and innovative programming.
 Rev. Kaaren was selected to participate in a national entrepreneurial ministry program hosted by the
UUA and taught by four leading business schools.
Major Initiatives and Accomplishments:
 Rev. Kaaren and Rev. Marcus have developed a plan and assembled a team to launch the Society for
Dangerous Ideas, a subscription-based spiritual experience designed to reach people who are not
interested in “church.”
 Rev. Marcus has worked with Rev. Kaaren and others to develop an online ministry model to offer to
young adults across the country. This program will include elements from Soul Matters and
livestreaming worship service. This year we are giving the program as a gift to all graduating seniors
from UU congregations. In the future, we hope that it will be a source of revenue for our church.
 Since January we have been in dialogue with a web developer to create two smartphone apps. The first
will be for Soul Matters and will be used within our church, for the forthcoming online young adult
program, and shared with all 80+ congregations using Soul Matters sharing circles. The second will be
specifically for our congregation and will include elements such as schedules and alerts, as well as
interactive features for worship and community connections.
Challenges:
Because these projects break out of the traditional mold of church, the greatest challenge is how to
communicate their importance and necessity within the congregation.
Thank You: Thank you to everyone who has encouraged and supported us in developing these new ministries,
and especially to all who took time to show up for the app brainstorm and generously shared your sage counsel.
Thank you to Melissa Boyack and Kelly Powell at Flight 9 Creative for your work on branding and marketing the
online young adult program. Thanks also to Ajamu Kitwana and Amber and Matt Brown for contributing all your
awesomeness to the development of Society for Dangerous Ideas.
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Adult Spiritual Development Ministry
Ministry Leader: Rev. Tina Simson, with support from Rev. David Blanchard and Rev. Marcus Hartnett Liefert
Ministry Team Members:
This ministry depends on the volunteer efforts of over 70 individuals who Facilitate Soul Matters, UU
Wellspring™, Journey Groups, Spiritual Practice Groups, Transition Groups, and Educational groups. Their
commitment is an immeasurable gift to the congregation.
Ministry Mission Statement:
We help people listen, open, serve by providing...circles of learning, support and challenge, opportunities for
spiritual deepening and practice, an intimate home in the larger church community...so they become the people
they want to be.
It’s about... Becoming.
Vital Signs:
 Number of Journey Groups: 37
 Spiritual Practice Groups: 10
 Transition Groups: 5
 Adult Education/Enrichment offerings: 6
 Number of small group/adult education facilitators: 56
 Total number of people involved in Journey Groups, Adult Education/Enrichment, Spiritual Practice
Opportunities, and Support/Transition groups: 571
Major Initiatives And Accomplishments:
 Rev. David Blanchard provided support for the Soul Matters Facilitators along with Rev. Tina Simson,
sharing new ideas to revitalize our Soul Matters program.
 Rev. Marcus and Rev. David met with a focus group of men to imagine a program specifically related to
men’s spirituality.
 Five new Soul Matters groups were initiated from our Starting Point program.
 Rev. Tina initiated conversation with other ministers about connecting UU spiritual practice programs
and spiritual journey companions into the Soul Matters program. A pilot is planned for 2015-16
Challenges:
 Soul Matters is a program at our church that is almost 10 years old. Special attention needs to be paid to
groups who have been together long term. Offering alternative formats or suggestions may help
invigorate their time together.
Thank You: While it is impossible to thank everyone here, please know that if you facilitated or participated in a
small group, a class, a spiritual practice group, you are a part of this ministry’s success. Together, we’ve reached
out to one another to offer caring, community, learning, and spiritual growth. A special thank you also goes out
to: All our volunteer program leaders; Cliff Eddy and Kas Doyle for coordinating our Bible Study Group; Tim
Farnum for generous hours of Tai Chi, Jan Cook for leading many meditation and spiritual practice offerings; Erin
Julian for helping everyone to find the right fit; Joy Collins, Libby Moore, and Elaine Richane for leading our UU
Wellspring Team; and every one of our facilitators for their time, talent, and dedication.
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Religious Education Ministry for Children and Youth
Ministry Leader: Sheila Schuh, Director of Religious Education
Ministry Team Members:
Staff: Rev. Marcus Hartnett-Liefert, Sherrie Wilkinson (Youth Coordinator), Christine Davis (Coming of Age
Coordinator), Law Tarello (Director of Junior High Youth), Kristen Rogers (Director of Early Childhood), Colleen
Klintworth and Tim Farnum (Youth Advisor Specialists), Jan Cook (Mindfulness Educator), Wayne Holt (Coming of
Age Assistant/ OWL Teacher), Maxine Glinsky-Lopata (Junior High Drama Director), Emma Kilmer (Teacher/
Welcome Table), Kelly Lund (Early Childhood Teacher), Marjorie Bovenzi (Religious Education Administrator)
Volunteers: Nearly all Religious Education (RE) parents, Coming of Age mentors (Shadia McAnally, Suzy Farrell,
Jim Blake), Our Whole Lives Facilitators (Christine Farnum, Jule Sanchez, Jack Morrissey, Nancy Wesson, John
Vakiener, Steven Buckley and Sarah Van Bortel, Sharon Glezen), Youth Moderators (Addy Schuetz and Elizabeth
McFarland Porter), Youth Advisors (Ben Cavaletto, Kevin McFarland-Porter, Clare Conheady), Ann Teese, Solveig
Waack, Andrea Porter, the Honduras Task Force, the Greater Good Committee, Kindle Perry and the Worship
Space Team.
Ministry Mission Statement:
We help people listen, open, serve by providing...learning experiences that include practical skills, tools and
service opportunities (that promote UU Principles), playful adventure (that allow them to try out their new skills)
and, countercultural wisdom (drawn from UU Sources)...so they can live mindfully and love faithfully.
It’s about...Living Mindfully and Loving Faithfully.
Vital Signs:
 Religious Education Registration: 268
 Average Attendance on Religious Education Weekends: 135
Major Initiatives and Accomplishments:
 Further defined skills-based integration of mindfulness practices and Non-Violent Communication
training at all program levels, including into Parent Education for Our Whole Lives (OWL) 5th grade.
 Enhanced RE presence in church foyer and further improving family intake process.
 Added young parent offerings including OWL PreK-1 and Baby Brunch.
 Developed Coming of Age to include mentorship and individualized spiritual planning with the monthly
worship theme.
 Implemented a new youth leadership model to support youth in planning programming in Education,
Social Justice, Community and Spiritual Development with support of Youth Advisor Team, Youth
Coordinator, and Rev. Marcus.
 Continued to develop Parenting as a Spiritual Practice group including closer attention to monthly
theme, summer gathering, and spring retreat.
Challenges:
 Saturday RE at 4:30pm had inconsistent and low attendance (Registered 30/ Average Attending 13- from
Birth through 5th grade). Not cost-effective to duplicate Sunday RE.
 Children with special needs requiring more than the one to one support we currently provide are not
getting the ideal educational access of a professionally staffed inclusive room.
Thank You: All who have served so generously for our children and youth! And Law Tarello for charismatic
leadership, Sharon Glezen for years of OWL service, Kindle Perry for artistic devotion, Revs. Tina and Marcus for
RE support, and Carol Anne and Marj for their work behind the scenes.
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Music Ministry
Ministry Leader: Thom Snell
Ministry Team Members:
Zachary Zwahlen, Organist
Melissa Boyack, Coordinator of Orange Sky &The Fireflies
Choir: Jan Barber, Millie Brothers, Barbara Erway, Jan Gartner, Linda Hazel, Lynn Kinsman, Pat Lamos, Mary
Lyubomirsky, Miriam Ward-Derivan, Kas Eldridge, Elaine R Jacobsen, Patty Hill, Victoria Robertson, Sue
Schwardt, Sydney Sutherland, Nancy Warren-Oliver, Fran Wyffels, Brownlee Field, Jeff Moran, Anne Perry, Caleb
Shulman, James Taylor, Don Wilder, Rich Dempsey, Larry Eldridge, Marty Erway, Paul Gardella, Glenn Koch, John
Looney, Bill Reamy, Rich Wilder
Bell Choir: Millie Brothers, Joan Chapman, Kris Constable, Doug Constable, Sheryl Gracewski, Lynn Kinsman,
Debbie McCullough, Syd Sutherland
Ukulele Orchestra: Dave Andrews-Smith, Trish Andrews-Smith, Irene Burnet, Chris Constable, Alison Currie,
Carolyn Dancy, Dave Gordon, Jennifer Gough, Sharon Hoyenga, Erin Julian, Neva Taylor, Carol Teegarden, Dave
Teegarden, Gretchen Volk
Orange Sky: Melissa Boyack, Mike Boyack, Meghan Koch, Dan Lopata, Justin Passamonte, M’Lou Speranza, Erika
Vázquez
The Fireflies: Nancy Fancher, Sarah Gillespie, Erin Julian, Carrie Lesio, Kelly Makino, Kevin Makino, Ali Putney
Vital Signs:
 Choir: 31
 Bell Choir: 8
Ukulele Orchestra: 14
 Orange Sky and The Fireflies: 14
 Guest Musicians: 30
Major Initiatives and Accomplishments:
 New Music-making Opportunities: This year saw the creation of two new music groups: the Ukulele
Orchestra, which taught congregants how to play the ukulele from scratch, and The Fireflies, which
offers additional voices from the congregation to expand Orange Sky.
 Organ Repair: Necessary repairs to the organ’s wind chests are scheduled to occur over this upcoming
summer. This will ensure that our congregation’s beloved organ will continue to be heard in the years to
come.
 Increased Hymn Singing: We’ve worked to increase participation in hymn singing at our services.
Saturday services use familiar rock tunes and occasional folk hymns. On Sunday mornings, we open with
a familiar morning or gathering themed hymn, occasionally use reflective hymns for meditation, and
close with a diverse offering of hymns that fit the sermon or monthly theme.
 Collaboration: Our June Music Weekend will feature the collaboration of our Saturday and Sunday music
programs. Orange Sky, the Choir, the Bell Choir, the Ukulele Orchestra, and guest musicians will team up
to present a service celebrating life through music.
 Orange Sky was featured at District Assembly in Niagara Falls on March 27 and 28, 2015. Orange Sky
also recorded their first EP, May We Ever Be Bold, and it can be purchased at
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http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/orangesky2. Come celebrate with them on August 15 when they play a 5year anniversary concert at Lovin' Cup. We’d love to see you there!
Challenges:
We are striving to encourage congregational participation in the music program. Recruitment to existing
ensembles continues to be a challenge; however, the creation of new, diverse opportunities for music making,
including Ukulele Orchestra and the Fireflies, has engaged a number of congregants who have not previously
been involved in the music ministry.
Thank You: Thanks to each and every ensemble member for a year of great music making. Thanks to Gaelen
McCormick for contracting guest musicians for our Music Sunday services, and her mentorship in orchestral
matters. Thanks to Rich Wilder for piano tuning, instrument maintenance, and for sharing the gift of his
beautiful compositions. Thanks to our Ministers and my fellow Worship Staff, with whom I have the privilege to
collaborate each week. I am most thankful for every voice that is lifted in song during our hymn singing and for
the continued support of the many music lovers in our congregation.
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Pastoral Care Ministry
Ministry Leader: Rev. Tina Simson
Ministry Team Members:
Caring Community Team: Patti Clark, Caring Cuisine; Stephanie Ketterl, Holiday Flower/Plant
Distribution; Linda Hazel and Ellie Stauffer, Memorial Service Receptions.
Pastoral Care Team: Ellie Stauffer, Sue Ames, Sue Steepy, Linda Sloyer, Jim Blake, Louise Paulsen,
Liz Bock, Penny Quill, Joyce Zecher, and Jenny Gough .
Ruth Myers, Jack Morrissey completed their 2-3 year Pastoral Care Team commitment in December 2014
Death Over Deli Facilitators: Rev. Joy Collins and Sue Ames
Care Givers Support Group Facilitators: Ruth Myers, MSW, and Rev. Tina Simson
Caring Connection Group Support: Soul Matters who participated in the Caring Connection included groups run
by Gail Wilder, Sue Steepy, Rev. Tina Simson, Barb de Leeuw, Lucia Pinizotti, Andrea Porter, Marcia Blacklin, Jim
Blake, John Dancy, Rev. Libby Moore, and Deborah White.
Ministry Mission Statement:
We help people listen, open, serve by providing...a continuing compassionate presence, ongoing church
community connection, supportive relationships, and an opportunity to experience the giving of pastoral care as
a spiritual practice so the giver and the receiver experience grace in the full spectrum of life.
It’s about... Grace!
Vital Signs:
 162 individuals in need of Pastoral Care from July 2014-May 2015 have received support from the
Minister of Pastoral Care, Associate Ministers, and the Pastoral Care Team. All members who requested
visits received one.
 Plants were delivered at Christmas to 21 homebound individuals.
 7 individuals/ families received a total of 64 meals from the Caring Connection-Soul Matters Group this
year (2014-15) during a time of need. All individuals who requested meals received them.
 Five new members joined the Pastoral Care Team.
 Seven memorial services for members, non-members and family members of church members were
conducted from 2014-15
Major Initiatives and Accomplishments:
 A support group for Caregivers (those caring for an ill partner or parent) was initiated this year and
facilitated by Ruth Myers, MSW and Rev. Tina Simson.
 We established an on-call rotation for all First Unitarian ministers to participate in providing pastoral
care and supporting our community.
 Rev. Joy Collins and Sue Ames facilitated workshop sessions called “Death over Deli” a 90-minute
session offering a total of 80 participants a relaxed yet structured opportunity to begin the conversation
about dying. Participants expressed gratitude for these heart- felt and important sessions.
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Challenges:
We are a diverse group with diverse needs that encompass not only our elder population, but also our families,
empty nesters, singles, and caregivers. Providing UU-focused support to these diverse needs will take service
and programming that is responsive and flexible.
Thank You: This ministry depends on the dedication and compassion of many seen and unseen individuals. It is
with the deepest gratitude that we recognize all those who care and offer support.
I especially want to thank the Soul Matters Facilitators who volunteered this year to support our Caring
Connection program, Patti Clark for her devotion to getting meals to those in need, Ellie Stauffer and Linda Hazel
who are tireless in hosting the memorial receptions, and Stephanie Ketterl who coordinates the flower
distribution with efficiency and heart.
My sincere appreciation to the members of the Pastoral Care Team, who open their hearts every day to
members in need.
You are all a gift to this community.
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Social Justice Ministry
Ministry Leader: Rev. Emily Hartnett Liefert
Ministry Team Members:
Veronica Howard, Social Justice Coordinator
Social Justice Council Executive Team: John Keevert, Alison Wilder, Ron Johnson
Social Justice Task Forces:
Honduras Task Force – Barbara Gawinski, chair
Micro-Finance Task Force – Terri Goldstein, chair
Environmental Task Force – John Keevert and Judith Cartisano, co- chairs
Ongoing and Other Projects:
 Greater Good – Adam Romney, chair
 Rochester Area Interfaith Hospitality Network (RAIHN) – Jerry Cheplowitz, Cathy Reda-Cheplowitz, Dave
Teegarden, Janice Hargrave
 UU School Partnership Program – Vicki Robertson, UU School Coordinator, with co-chairs Joe Simson
and Andrea Porter
 St. Joe’s Dinner’s – Pat Swinton
 Brighton Food Cupboard – Pat Swinton
 Social Justice Grants Panel – Ron Johnson, chair
 Connect and Breathe – Anne Perry, representative
Ministry Mission Statement:
We help people listen, open, serve by...organizing congregationally affirmed, collective acts of social service
and social change that transform the world in the direction of justice and people by helping them see the needs
of others as their own.
It’s about...Transformation.
Vital Signs:
 We improved communications within and beyond our community by starting a Social Justice monthly
newsletter, available the fourth week of every month in our First Unitarian Weekly Connections
Newsletter.
 UU/Schools Partnership program engages over 80 volunteers at Schools 15 and 22. A summer program
was provided in partnership with Rochester City School District for School 22 students. A new program,
Help One Student to Succeed (HOSTS), was begun at School 22 to provided structured tutoring during
the expanded learning time.
 Our Environmental Task Force supported and hosted multiple family-friendly environmental activities,
including partnering with Mothers Out Front to host a Talking with Kids about Climate Change panel.
 Our Micro-Finance Task Force continues to thrive and seek out new business coaches and possible small
loan recipients, partnering within the Rochester community to make a real impact for small-business
owners and their families.
 The Honduras Task Force is proud that the student they supported has completed her education and is
now back in the community working as a schoolteacher. She serves as a model for the community.

Under the thoughtful leadership of the new organizing RAIHN team, this program has thrived and
engages about 100 volunteers four times a year to offer hospitality and support to families in transition.
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Major Initiatives and Accomplishments:
 This fall, the Social Justice Council signed on to the Fight for 15, supporting fast-food workers locally in
Rochester and across the globe as they organized for a living wage and the right to unionize.
 We hosted a large clothing and supply drive for Sanctuary Village in December, responding to the
immediate needs of that community.
 In January, we gave a total gift of $50,467.26 to our Greater Good Project recipients, Teen
Empowerment and the Richard M. Guon Childcare Center.
 In April, over 80 people attended a panel of black educators speaking about the historical and cultural
roots of today’s Black Lives Matter movement. Veronica Howard coordinated this event, which drew a
diverse audience from across Rochester.
 This Spring, Rev. Kaaren’s started two initiatives, in education and the environment, in response to
Roots and Wings. The goal is bring together a diverse group of community leaders to think innovatively
about how to address the challenges of the current education system. The environmental initiative
brings congregants together to think and respond innovatively to climate change.
Challenges:
 We continue to seek out the best ways to engage the larger congregation in Social Justice. Projects are
thriving, but often depend on the hard volunteer work of a small group of core people.
 Moving forward, we hope to lean more deeply into the resources of the larger congregation as we seek
a wider base of involvement and support in Social Justice projects and programs.
Thank You: The Social Justice ministry exists because of the dedication, commitment, and passion of our
members. Thank you to everyone who has every volunteered with a shift with RAIHN, pitched in dollars for the
Greater Good, stood up for what they believed, attended a Social Justice event, or shown up for another in
need. Together, we may bend the arc of the universe towards justice.
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Membership Ministry
Ministry Leader: Rev. Emily Hartnett-Liefert
Ministry Team Members: Eileen Casey-Campbell, Connections Coordinator (Position also held by Erin Julian and
Sarah Gillespie previously in the year)
Volunteer hospitality coordinators: Christine Farnum, Pat Swinton, Penny Townsend-Quill, Erin Julian, Cass
Doyle, Fritz Lange, and Patti Clark
Ministry Mission Statement:
We help people listen, open, serve by…providing newcomers with first-rate hospitality, creating a culture of
radical hospitality where everyone in the congregation welcomes the stranger, helping newcomers and friends
find ways to quickly and easily engage within the community, ensuring all members are connected with a small
group which provides them with a sense of home, individual purpose and support for life’s journey, and
cultivating a “church for a lifetime” understanding of membership.
It’s about…Everybody Finding a Group.
Vital Signs:
 Total Active Membership: 976
 New Members: 51
 Member Attrition: 75 (moves, resignations, removals, deaths)
 Visitors: 238
 UU101 Attendees: 121
 UU201 Attendees: 60 (approximate)
 Starting Point Attendees: 80
Major Initiatives and Accomplishments:
 We held a hospitality and safety training in October, with a second scheduled for early June. A
rearranged lobby and new Welcome Table helped us to better welcome newcomers to services. Over
120 visitors attended our UU101 classes to learn more about UUism and our church, and an anticipated
total of 80 people will have completed Starting Point by the end of June.
 We hosted UU201 thirteen times this year and are working to reformat it to be more effective.
 We welcomed fifty-one new members. About one third are members in their 20s or 30s and about one
third are families with young children (with some overlap in the two groups).
 We implemented a procedure of sending 1-month gratitude postcards to new members and six-month
check-in emails to retain connection with newer people.
 We reached out to the local community with a presence at the Asbury First United Methodist’s Tent
Days event and with planned booths at both Corn Hill Arts Festival and Park Ave Festival this summer.
Challenges:
 We experimented with fostering Saturday fellowship by offering chai after worship, but interest in
volunteering to coordinate chai service was low, so we transitioned to offering only juice and cookies.
 We are continuing to work through the disruption in personal newcomer relationships that naturally
resulted from our several staff transitions this year.
Thank You: We are grateful to our volunteer hospitality coordinators and all hospitality volunteers for making
our church services a welcoming experience. We would like to thank Thali of India for graciously donating chai
for our Saturday services over the winter. We are very thankful for the hard work and support of Erin Julian and
Sarah Gillespie, who worked in this ministry area this year and helped transition it to its present state.
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Fund Development Ministry
Ministry Leader: Erin Julian
Ministry Mission Statement:
We help people listen, open, serve by...offering opportunities for people to put their money in service of their
values, cultivating a culture of generosity and an understanding of church as a cooperative venture, and
ensuring that church members understand how their money is making a difference.
It’s about…Everybody Doing Their Part.
Campaign Team
Leaders: Rev. Kaaren Anderson and Erin Julian
Committee: John Dancy*, Maryellen Melenca, Chris Graziano*, John* and Suzy Farrell, Penny Townsend-Quill
*indicates Board of Trustees
Fundraisers:
January 2015
Gifts and Talents Auction
Leader: Erin Julian
This year we featured online bidding. The auction raised $7,000.
March 19 ,2015
Fashionista Frolic
Leaders: Kristina Williams, Carrie Vanhouten, Amy Roode, and Cyndi Gowan
This year we partnered with Kerry Stich at Indigo Tones. The event raised $7,000.
May 27-29, 2015
Art For Good
Leaders: Jim and Lynette Blake, Chris Graziano, Maryellen Melenca, Lynne Infantino
June 5-6, 2015
Rummage Sale
Leaders: Sandy Hollands and Nora Walter
Amazon Associates
Use this link to have a percentage of your Amazon purchases benefit the church:
http://www.amazon.com/?_encoding=UTF8&tag=httprochestor-20
This year, we raised $1,072 as of the time of this report.
December 21, 2014, March 20, 2015 and June 19, 2015
Yoga Events
Leaders: Jill Poremba and Eileen Casey-Campbell
We held a yoga practice using the solstice and equinox to create a spiritual practice, while also incorporating our
worship themes. To date, we have raised $1300, with the Summer Salutation to be held after the printing of this
report.
Other Sources of Income This Year:
One World Goods Shopping Party, held on November 19, 2014: $337
ROC the Day, held on December 2, 2014: $246
Speakers: Jes Baker, held on April 8, 2015 and don Jose Luis, held on April 30, 2015: income still to be
determined
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Alex & Ani Shopping Party, held on March 5, 2015: $388
Other income came from the UU Bed & Breakfast, Tours, and Summer Used Book Sales
Income from our ministries:
Cafe Vertias: $7500
FirstLight Players: $2660
Bookstore: $600
Thank You: Allen Gundlach, Carol Anne Cleary, Ursula Staneff, Tatiana Baglioni, Anthony Monahon, and all of
the volunteers that make this possible. A special thank you to John Grego and Will Hayes, who go above and
beyond every day.
The following groups in our church are part of the Fund Development Ministry:
Williams Gallery Art Committee
Leader: Elaine Anderson
Members: Anita Augesen, Roy Cripps, Betty Jane Evans, Elaine Fredericks, Emily Osgood, Elaine Richane, Vicki
Schwartz, Irene Burnet, Nancy Brush, Sue Ames
The Williams Gallery continues to be an exhibition space sought after by many artists in the region. The exhibits
have been diverse and presented by prominent artists, emerging artists, and established art groups. They are
viewed and enjoyed by many church members as well as by many people from the community. By coming into
our church to see the exhibits and attending an opening reception, people become familiar with our church. The
committee selects artists for exhibits, assists with hanging the exhibits, provides support for opening receptions,
prepares publicity, and attends to all of the other details that make for successful exhibits.
Exhibitions in 2014-15:
 George Wallace, Gil Maker and Don Menges; Maker - Menges - Wallace
 Gail Thomas; Gail Thomas Contemplation
 Doug Coffey; Intelligent Design #2
 Chris Kogut; Inside Burma - Photographs of an enduring people
 The Arena Art Group; Arena @The Williams Gallery
 UU Schools Partnership Student Exhibit (including a Friday afternoon reception for students, parents,
teachers, mentors and friends)
 Lynette Blake; Art for Good
The Committee further supported the arts in our Partnership Schools by providing funds to School #15 (The
Children’s School) for 46 fourth graders to participate in a glass making art activity at the Corning Museum in
Corning, New York.
Contact: Elaine Anderson, Committee Chairperson: elaineanderson2@mac.com
Webpage: http://rochesterunitarian.org/music_arts_gallery.html
First Light Players
Leader: Linda Hazel
Steering Committee: Barbara Bissell-Erway, Sandy Hollands, Tyler Lucero, Mary Lyubomirsky, Karen Mason,
Anne Perry, Ira Srole, and Sydney Sutherland. Staff members Thom Snell and Erin Julian serve as resources.
This year, FirstLight Players took a leap of faith by choosing Leap of Faith as our major production during our
month of faith this past February. Leap of Faith is the story of a tent revival huckster who has a crisis of faith
when a child is actually healed. He steps away from the revival, leaving his angel choir in the capable hands of a
young man who is a true believer. This musical features gospel music which is not our strong point. Therefore,
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we partnered with Paul Boutte who leads gospel choirs at Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church and Spiritus
Christi. He brought many of his gospel singers to join with our singer/actors. We had to learn to sing gospel and
they had to learn about acting. This was not the easiest task for any of us. But we pulled together and put on a
great show. The cast was about half African-American and the audience reflected that. We hope to find future
projects that will build on this collaboration.
We involved some newer folks in this year’s production, notably Annie McQuilken who designed the amazing
tent set and the stage thrusts that brought the action closer to the audience, Bob Keck who designed and built
the tent revival illuminated cross, and UU youth Devon Kinsman who was our awesome sound tech.
FirstLight Players continues to carry on the many decades of producing quality theater experiences, “illuminating
theater” for our community, both within the walls of First Unitarian and in the broader Rochester area.
As a result of our musical production, we were able to make a $2,660 donation to our church budget. The
Committee is now hard at work in a search for material for next year's production(s). The opportunity to
participate in our work is open to all. Inquiries are welcomed by any Steering Committee member or by
contacting FirstLight@rochesterunitarian.org. Check out our Facebook page at FirstLight Players.
Café Veritas
Leadership Committee: Jackie Lange (Finance, Marketing, and Artist Booking), Terry Shulman (Volunteer
Coordinator and Merchandise), Beth Fischer (House Manager and Hospitality Coordinator), Linda Hazel
(Concessions), John Keevert and Kyle Williams (Audio/Visual technology), Kimberly Grammatica (Website
Developer), Ira Srole (Photographer), and Mike Mullane (Artist Booking).
Café Veritas also draws from a list of about 25 other volunteers who serve in a variety of positions from bakers
to ushers.
Café Veritas is a ministry of First Unitarian Church of Rochester. The mission of the Café is threefold. First, we
create connection by listening to our deepest selves, and the deepest selves of our national and local performing
artists whose values, poetry and artistry tend to fit into our Unitarian community like apples fit into pies.
Opening us and our audiences to these gifts, and serving each other’s needs is a natural outcome of this deeply
meaningful experience. Second, Café Veritas is a branch of our Fund Development efforts, led by Erin Julian, and
strives to establish and maintain a long-term source of revenue for our Church. Third, Café Veritas invites and
serves many people from the Rochester-area community.
This year Café Veritas focused on introducing opening acts that have not performed at Cafe Veritas before
allowing us to broaden our reach into the community. Total season attendance for this year was 1,390. About
25% were folks from our Church, the other 75% were people from our larger community, many who visited First
Unitarian for the first time.
Café Veritas has contributed over $7,500 to our church this year.
Bookstore
Leaders: Ann King (Operations) and Robert Benvenuti (Volunteers and Schedules)
Committee: Linda Welsh, Jill Zimmermann, Megan Meyer, Suzanne Olson, Sheryl Gracewski, Emily Osgood,
Nancy Brush, Nancy Curme, Sue Steepy, , Kathy Dear, Laura Converse, Janice Peterson, Judy Smith, Robert
Benvenuti, Christine O'Reilly, Joyce Henzel, Leigh Mac Fadden, , Penny Carlson-Palma, Ellen Henry, Cassandra
Tilliman, Carol Schlank
Contact Ann: 412-721-8748; annie_s_king@yahoo.com
Contact Robert: maurelius01@yahoo.com
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We sold close to 200 books to the congregation, representing over $2,300 worth of sales. This will translate into
a $600 donation to our church for the 2014-2015 fiscal year. We continued to offer a wide selection of current
bestsellers and books that we believe are relevant to First Unitarian's mission, including topics such as UU
history, meditation, spirituality, death and life, and social justice.
Legacy Committee
Leader: Cynthia Looney
Committee: Nancy Brush, Winifred Cripps, Bruce and Elaine Fredericks, Betsy VanHorn, Sterling Weaver.
The mission of the Legacy Committee is to increase the endowment funds of our church by informing members
and friends of the congregation about the benefits of financial gifts from their wills or other estate plans. The
funds ensure that our Unitarian Universalist principles will be carried forward through our ministries. These gifts
are invested to provide income annually to the church operating budget and special projects, and can benefit
donors directly by reducing estate taxes. The committee also offers seminars for the congregation with experts
in estate planning and other financial topics.
Those who have made planned gifts are eligible to become members of the Legacy Society. They are invited to
an annual event, held by the Legacy Committee, to hear programs, meet in small groups with the ministers, and
attend a reception or dinner party. Currently, there are 63 members of the Legacy Society.
During this year, bequests were received from the estates of Madlyn Evans, Delia Anne Sharkey and Andy Frost.
FirstMuse
Leader: Melissa Matson (Artistic Director)
Committee: Jeananne Thomas (treasurer, concert assistance), Sue Ames (publicity, ushering), Kas Eldridge
(reception coordinator), Cliff Eddy (ticket sales), Peggy Hall (ticket sales), Ellen Henry (program preparation,
ushering), Bob Ames (stage crew), Bob Taylor (stage crew), Elaine Anderson and Betty Evans (decor), Carl Pultz
(recording services), Carole and Dave Teegarden (ushering)
September 29, 2014
“Amenda Quartet: A Transfigured Night”
Attendance: 158 (60 Season Ticket holders + 98 general admission)
Social Justice: $388.50 to Micro-Finance
March 29, 2015
“Windcraft: Music for Bassoon and Flute”
Attendance: 117 (60 Season Ticket Holders + 57 general admission)
Social Justice: $280.00 to Honduras Task Force
May 17, 2015
“Fanny in May”
Attendance: 140 (60 Season Ticket Holders + 80 general admission)
Social Justice: $655.00 to UU/Schools Partnership
Website: www.FirstMuse.org
General Information: info@firstmuse.org
Artistic Director: Melissa@firstmuse.org
www.facebook.com/FirstMuse
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Denominational Affairs Ministry
Ministry Leader: Rev. Marcus Hartnett Liefert
Ministry Team Member: Suzanne McNamara
Ministry Mission Statement:
We help people listen, open, serve by... sending well-informed and clearly-charged delegates to
denominational meetings, sharing the best of who we are with our UU neighbors and wider UU movement,
helping our members take advantage of denominational and district leadership development and best practices
opportunities, and coordinating denominationally related programming, such as international, partnership
programs, Chalice Lighters, internships, First Unitarian scholarship fund, district workshops and GUUSTO
(regional UUism) participation.
It’s about... Sharing the best of who we are.
Vital Signs:
 Our strong showing at District Assembly included worship led by Orange Sky and Revs. Kaaren, Marcus
and Emily
 Suzanne McNamara and/or Rev. Marcus have attended all GUUSTO cluster meetings, demonstrating our
support for collaboration with other UU churches in the Greater Rochester area
Major Initiatives and Accomplishments:
We applied for and received a Unitarian Universalist Funding Program, administered by the UUA, a grant to fund
livestreaming of our worship service
Challenges:
This year’s General Assembly being held in Portland, Oregon, has made it challenging to recruit enough
delegates to represent our congregation. Next year it will be held in Columbus, OH, and we should be well
represented!
Thank You: Suzanne McNamara’s tireless effort for many years has kept us linked closely with other churches in
our region and around the country. Her commitment to our congregation’s relationship with our denomination
blesses us and our larger movement. Thank you to everyone who attended District Assembly as a delegate, and
everyone who will attend General Assembly as a delegate in June.
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Deaf Inclusion Ministry
Ministry Leader: Jesse "Rupert" Dubler
Ministry Team Members:
Volunteers: Members of the Deaf Inclusion Soul Matters groups
Ministry Mission Statement: Will be revised by committee.
Vital Signs:
 Supplemental Funding:
 $3,000 NYSCU Grant
 $1,850 ASL Courses revenue
 Membership: no change
 Interpreters: 3 new interpreters were added to our pool.
 Interpreting Services: 46 out of 52 services had interpretation provided.
Major Initiatives and Accomplishments:
 Visual Storytelling Festival
 ASL Soul Matters
Challenges:
 Ongoing search for funds to cover the cost of sign language interpreters.
 Sustaining the volunteer effort of the ministry members.
Thank You: A big thank you goes to the entire church community for continuing to support this ministry. May
we continue to enrich each other both now and in the future.
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Building and Grounds Ministry
Ministry Leader: Ursula Staneff
Ministry Team Members: Carl Anne Cleary, Will Hayes, John Grego, Dave Chamberlain, Dave Schwardt, Susan
Schwardt, Glenn Koch, Nancy Koch, Cynthia Looney
Ministry Mission Statement:
We help people listen, open, serve by...maintaining a building and grounds that wows (Kahn and art and RE
rooms), works (serves the ministries), welcomes (talks to you, provides information, is comfortable and
accessible) and is well-kept.
In particular we
 Maintain and enhance the building and grounds, ensuring that the aspirations of church ministries are
taken into account when making building and grounds decisions,
 Protect the architectural integrity of Louis Kahn’s design and vision,
 Strive to be environmentally sensitive and responsible,
 Maintain and develop a garden that supports the wider spiritual-ministry goals of our congregation and
shares natural and artistic beauty with our neighboring community,
 Strive to make our building and grounds safe and physically accessible to all,
 Seek appropriate congregational input when prioritizing major maintenance and new projects,
 Strive to perform maintenance projects so that they are cost effective by reducing the annual cost of
operations and maintenance.
It’s about...Wowing And Welcoming.
Major Initiatives and Accomplishments:
 Conversion of sanctuary to LED lighting- provides more energy efficient lighting which will save on utility
expenses and also reduce the danger/inconveniences related to changing bulbs in a 2 story room.
 Implementation of a floor care plan related to regularly scheduled cleaning of carpets and strip/wax
throughout the building.
 Upgrades to sensors on our air handlers with 2 more upgrades pending which allow for more accurate
control of building heat/ventilation by zones.
 Regrading of the Sunny Slope in the garden to aid in ease of maintenance for volunteers and future
expense controls.
 Repairs to the organ, to take place in July
 Conversion of parking lot lights to LED lighting, to take place in June
Challenges:
Completing work on a building around heavy utilization.
The Gardeners
Ministry Team Members:
The Landscape Team is the advisory group for the church gardeners.
Susan Schwardt (Chair), Megan Meyer (Coordinator of Gardeners and Plantings), Irene Burnet, Karen Evans,
Nancy Fischer, Paul Gardella, Pat Harris, Glenn Koch, David Schwardt, Nancy Wilson.
Vital Signs:
The Landscape Team maintains the plantings on the 7 acres of land where First Unitarian resides. The team is
made up of 20-25 gardeners, some regular, some occasional, who come Wednesday mornings and Tuesday
evenings. During this church year four new people joined the group, but there is a serious need for more.
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Collaboration with the our Religious Education program brings our younger children into the gardens as well as
the youth who assist with garden maintenance. The ministerial staff and the gardeners communicate with
families regarding their choice of memorial plantings of trees and shrubs. The ministers also conduct weddings
and oversee the scattering of ashes and other rites of passage that take place in the gardens.
Major Initiatives & Accomplishments:
 Introduction of more native plants to the gardens.
 Installation of a waterline near the patio to aid in the watering of plants.
 We have contracted for a landscape makeover of the Sunny Slope, which will begin in July/August 2015.
Challenges:
 Acquiring more gardeners
 Having adequate levels of funding to maintain the grounds.
Thank You: To the volunteers themselves, from the bottom of my heart I thank you for sharing your love with
your community and for being an inspiration to us all!
“If you want to touch the past, touch a rock. If you want to touch the present, touch a flower. If you want to
touch the future, touch a life.” ~ Unknown
“The world is hugged by the faithful arms of volunteers.” ~Terri Guillemets
Bi Friers
Leader: David Schwardt
Ministry Team Members: Bob Brennan, Ken Buckle, Bruce Fredericks, Doug Evans, Dick Fox, Dave Friedman,
Paul Gardella, Dan Gleason, Robert Grinnell, Tom Henderson, Richard Henzel, Glenn Koch, Erwin Loewen, John
Looney, Jack Maniloff, Paul Law, Mary Lyubormirsky, Dick McNamarra, John Parker, Scott Roth, Dick Schwartz,
Doug Smith, Nora Walter, Sterling Weaver, Tom Wetherell, Ben Wild, Rich Wilder, Roland Wilson, Lee Wiltse
Vital Signs:
We have collaborated with the Landscape Committee, UU-Dig Community Garden, The Kahn Committee,
Religious Education, RAIHN, FirstLight Players, The Rummage Sale Team, Williams Gallery Art Committee, the
church sextons and others. We meet on the first and third Friday of each month from 8:30am-12:00pm
followed by a lunch together. This year we added 5 new members to the Bi Friers.
Major Initiatives & Accomplishments:
 Studied, researched, and implemented a plan for converting the sanctuary to LED lighting.
 Converted the Williams Gallery to LED lighting.
Thank You: To the volunteers themselves, from the bottom of my heart I thank you for sharing your love with
your community and for being an inspiration to us all!
“The purpose of life is not to be happy - but to matter, to be productive, to be useful, to have it make some
difference that you have lived at all.” ~Leo Rosten
“Volunteers are paid in six figures... S-M-I-L-E-S.” ~Gayla LeMaire
Kahn Building Appreciation Committee
Leader: Nancy Koch
Ministry Team Members: Nancy Koch - Chair, Elaine Anderson, Bill Fugate, Cynthia Looney, Scott Roth, Susan
Schwardt, David Schwardt, and Jean Weaver
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Vital Signs:
Visitors from over 12 foreign countries, local, regional and international architectural students have toured our
building as well as historians, photographers, interested groups and congregants. Bill Fugate, with assistance
from other committee members, regularly leads tours.
Major Initiatives & Accomplishments:
 Sixteen individuals were videotaped in an effort to capture their memories of the time when this
church and the addition were being planned, constructed and dedicated 46 - 56 years ago: Sam
Brundage, Richard Forbes, Jean France, Ruth Hyde, Claire Cunningham Kaler (daughter of Jim
Cunningham, architect), Joyce Lehmann, Margaret Neuman (died March 15, 2015), John Parker,
Anne Perry (daughter of Rev. Jenkins, our former minister), Eleanor Porter, Marlin Potter (from
Highland and Sons, construction company), David Schwardt, Woodlief Thomas, Jane Tuttle
(daughter of David and Clare Tuttle), Jean Weaver, and Sterling Weaver.
 Jo Cardin, local photographer, gave our church her collection of First Unitarian building
photographs. Over forty were selected, printed, matted, and framed for an art show in the Williams
Gallery. Her work focused on artistic, often unusual views.
 Kahn’s Corner is a feature in the First Unitarian Weekly Connections newsletter, on the first and
third weeks of the month. A question is posed, followed by the answer. The aim is to acquaint
readers with features of our church, increase their knowledge of and appreciation of the building
and Louis Kahn.
 A celebration, held on May 1, 2015, included the presentation of the certificate by Jennifer
Walkowski, from New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. Our
church was awarded this honor in 2014. All fifteen surviving videotaped individuals attended the
ceremony, and were introduced and acknowledged for their contribution to creating our church.
Attendees had the opportunity to meet with them and learn more about their involvement.
Additionally, a tour of the building and four first floor rooms was included. The display case featured
books on Kahn and the building.
Thank You: To the volunteers themselves, from the bottom of my heart I thank you for sharing your love with
your community and for being an inspiration to us all!
“Design is not making beauty, beauty emerges from selection, affinities, integration, love.” ~Louis Kahn
“There are two ways of spreading light - to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” ~Edith Wharton
Safety Committee
Committee Members: Carol Anne Cleary and Ursula Staneff ; Richard Leisner and Cynthia Looney
Major Initiatives and Accomplishments:
 Revised safety manual.
 Toured Temple Beth El with their Administrator Linda Kingsley to learn about their new and extensive
security system.
 Conducted building tour and training exercises at First Unitarian Church for approximately 25 Hospitality
Volunteers in October.
 Conducted training exercise for First Unitarian Church Staff in February
Future: Conduct safety training exercises for RAIHN volunteers and Religious Education volunteers and Youth
Group members.
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Office Administration Ministry
Ministry Leader: Carol Anne Cleary
Ministry Team Members: Carol Anne Cleary (Office Administrator); Anthony Monahon and Tatiana Baglioni
(Evening Administrative Assistants); Sydney Sutherland, Patti Clark and Irene Burnet (Volunteers)
Ministry Mission Statement:
We help people listen, open and serve by…ensuring mission-based use of our building, connecting members,
staff, and the general public with information, and providing church leaders with tools.
It’s about…Empowerment.
Vital Signs: Schedule and coordinate meeting space for all First Unitarian Church ministries, task forces,
committees, tour groups, weddings, memorials, fundraisers and other special events (100+ groups/events).
Maintain positive, ongoing relationships with long-term outside rental groups (10+ organizations), for a grand
total of over 5,500 room reservations yearly. Produce First Unitarian Weekly Connections newsletter and
Orders of Service, maintain database of worship service attendance, visitors, UU101 and UU201 attendees, edit
and print sermon booklets, Lobby and Sanctuary slides, ministry brochures, new member materials, and special
event flyers/postcards.
Major Initiatives and Accomplishments:






Added twelve new outside organizations which utilize our building space, resulting in increased building
usage revenue.
Collected and tallied Roots and Wings data for compilation and analysis.
Installed a new and improved phone system and intercom system.
Created new designs for our website and our First Unitarian Weekly Connections newsletter.
Decreased paper usage by creating a shorter, “greener” Order of Service, and including more
information on Sanctuary slides.
Implemented a special events calendar on our website.
Thank You: Our work is simply not possible without the help and support of our part-time office staff and
volunteers! A tremendous thank you goes to our evening administrative assistants, Tony Monahon and Tatiana
Baglioni. Their work ethic, expertise and ever-present senses of humor, combined with their consistent
willingness to go above and beyond has been absolutely invaluable. Heartfelt thanks also to our wonderful
volunteers who help us navigate this very busy office: Syd Sutherland, Patti Clark and Irene Burnet – you are
each a blessing! Special thanks also to Ursula Staneff, Erin Julian, Allen Gundlach, Will Hayes, John Grego, David
Chamberlain, and Larry Medici for your countless contributions and ongoing support. It takes a village, indeed,
and I am honored to work with each of these amazing people.
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Leadership and Governance Ministry
Ministry Leader: David Burnet, President of the Congregation
Ministry Team Members:
Trustees: Stephanie Ketterl (VP 2015), John Farrell (2015), Will Soles (2015), Ira Srole (2016), Jane Tuttle (2016),
John Dancy (2016), Chris Graziano (2017), Jill Poremba (2017), Mary Moglia-Cannon (2017)
Officers: Linda Freedman (Clerk), Don Wilder (Deputy Clerk), Caleb Shulman (Moderator), Bob Wells (Treasurer),
Anne Perry (Assistant Treasurer)
Leadership/Nominating Committee Members: Gaelen McCormick, Tim Via, Jackie Lange, Amy Lopata, Nora
Walter (Board Representative)
Ministry Mission Statement:
We help people listen, open, serve by…providing the loom that allows our ministries, members and friends to
weave the colorful and ever-changing tapestry of our church.
It’s about…Empowering and Apprenticing Leaders
Vital Signs:
 Monthly Board of Trustees and Executive meetings.
 Active participation by the Board of Trustee members in various committees, church projects and
ministries.
 Visionary leadership on church issues regarding finances and church governance.
Major Initiatives and Accomplishments:
 Leadership: The Nominating Committee hosted a two-day workshop on Leadership as a Spiritual
Practice, over two different weekends. Day 1 had 49 participants and Day 2 had 45 participants. We had
many different people lead us in hands-on activities and listening/learning sessions about the variety of
ways to become a leader at First Unitarian. We are grateful to all the ministerial and lay leaders who
gave of their time to help make our workshops successful and fun.
 This year, the Nominating Committee also began a dialogue with the Board and Rev. Kaaren Anderson
about term limits and how that might be implemented to help our small groups thrive. We are looking
at ways to help create mentors for new leaders. This is a topic that is still under discussion.
 Comprehensive Campaign: It has been more than 25 years since our church has held a capital campaign.
Thriving committed organizations hold capital campaigns on a much more frequent schedule than once
every quarter century. The board approved a three year capital campaign that will start in the fall of
2015. Funded projects are being developed in alignment with the findings of Roots and Wings.
 UniUni: The UniUni business has not been realizing its potential as a consistent source of income to our
church. This year the board requested a recovery and growth plan be put in place and executed. Board
member Jill Poremba has donated time in handling inventory and marketing issues, while creating a plan
for growth and increased earning potential.
 Finances: The board has committed to modernizing our financial reporting and budgeting process. Bob
Wells, Treasurer, worked closely with Ursula and our financial picture is much clearer and the upcoming
budget is based on current year actuals.
Challenges:
This was the first full year of our new ministry-staffing model, welcoming 3 new ministers to our amazing team.
This amount of change typically results in significant challenges but the staff lead by Rev. Kaaren Anderson did a
great job of managing our changing environment in a way that is setting us on solid footing for the future.
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Thank You: Being part of the lay leadership of our church is a serious commitment of time and talent. Thank you
to all that are willing to step up and enter the arena and serve. Thanks to Stephanie Ketterl, John Farrell and Will
Soles whose terms ends at the end of the 2014-2015 church year. Your consistent and wonderful support of the
church is very much appreciated and we look forward to seeing your future contributions.
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