First Unitarian Church of St Louis
Policy Board Meeting Summary
September 11, 2023 Virtual
The September Policy Board meeting opened with two pieces of good news: First, Tom Finan and the Building Committee report that roof repairs to stop water leaks are progressing. Second, the church’s operating budget ended the year showing a small surplus. We had more income (thanks to the wildly successful Auction and a generous donor) and spent less than anticipated during the last budget year.
The Board had a helpful discussion about the Active Hope Project and the October 1 Congregational Outreach and Community Engagement Summit. The Active Hope Project is a yearlong project soliciting people’s input through surveys, small groups, and 1:1 interviews. That process discerned that most people in the congregation believe it would be good for the congregation to have a cohesive social justice program. Most people expressed an interest in housing and homelessness, a big topic. There is much we could do. There is some we are already doing. The Summit is an opportunity to talk about the facets of social action and explore how we might build a congregational social justice program. The Summit will help us drill down to help us identify a targeted area under the rubric of housing/homelessness. We continue to keep the process one that seeks broad input from all segments of the congregation. Board members plan to attend and support this important project.
The Board also discussed the proposed revisions to Article II of the UUA Bylaws, Principles, and Purposes, the covenant to which all UU congregations and communities pledge themselves when they become members of UUA. After a two-year process of listening, conversation, drafts, and feedback, the Study Commission recommended that Article II move from a statement of principles to a statement of shared values that embraces that “Love is the power that holds us together and is at the center of our shared values.” Board members discussed how we will educate ourselves about this change and be part of the denomination-wide conversation leading up to the final vote at General Assembly in summer 2024.
For more, read the minutes here https://www.firstuustlouis.org/sites/default/files/September%2011%202023%20BOD%20Minutes.docx.pdf