First Unitarian Church of Albuquerque - DRAFT 01.28.2022
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First Unitarian
Church of
Albuquerque
Annual Report
2021
DRAFT
01.28.2022
1
Table of Contents
Part I State of the Church 4
Part II Board and Staff Reports
President of the Congregation 6
Treasurer 8
Associate Minister 10
Director of Religious Education 12
Youth Programs Coordinator 15
Director of Music 16
Technical Arts Director 17
Director of Membership & Communications 18
Part III Standing and Elected Committees of the Board
Endowment Committee 20
Leadership Succession Committee 21
Buildings & Grounds Committee 22
Landscape Committee 24
Healthy Community Committee 26
Radical Generosity Team 27
Social Justice Council 28
Membership Committee 30
Part IV Committees and Programs
Arts and Aesthetics 31
Caring Network 32
Coyote Willow CUUPs 33
People of Color 34
Religious Education Council 35
Social Justice Programs:
Adult Citizenship & Literacy Program 36
After School Tutoring Program 38
Animal Advocates 39
Earth Web 40
Family Promise 41
Food Pantry 42
Part V Branches
3701 Carlisle Blvd NE • Albuquerque, NM 87110
Socorro Unitarian Universalists 43
(505) 884-1801 • firstunitarian@uuabq.org
Unitarian Universalist Church, East Mountains 44
State of the Church
The Rev. Angela Herrera
This report will be posted following the
Annual Congregational Meeting.
5
congregation is the primary concern for the or what other revenue sources we may need
President of the Congregation church board, ministers, and church staff. We
all remain aware that public health restrictions are
to explore. While members seem to want
to use the Arc Building for our own church
Mikaela Renz-Whitmore having negative impacts on our church community. programs—and supporting other community
We all hope, as the pandemic environment organizations that share our values—it may be
improves, that we can build back relationships necessary to rent the building commercially to
2021 Board Members meantime, the board will look into the options and community, even as we leverage the lessons generate revenue.
Mikaela Renz-Whitmore, President for using the Arc Building temporarily for church and technology we learned as a result of our Year of Action around the 8th Principle
George Bakula, Vice President functions, or renting it to get some much-needed innovations and flexibility in responding to new
Joyce Etheridge, Interim Treasurer revenue to support our operating budget. Moving on to more positive future plans,
challenges.
Sara Friederich, Secretary the board is asking church members to
COVID Safety Board Membership commit to a focused year of action around
Doug Loescher (Resigned June 2021)
The board also decided how and when the church These challenges to social bonding led to anti-racism and anti-oppression, including
Aroop Mangalik
campus could reopen after moving online in several board member resignations this past learning about implicit bias, microaggressions,
Melisa Nicoud
March 2020. Angela set up a special task force year. Several other resignations were the result of and white culture; and skill-building around
Milagros Padilla (Resigned November 2021)
made up of members of the church who are health issues and one board member moved out equity, inclusion, accountability, repair after
Faye Rafferty (Resigned September 2021)
scientists, medical professionals, community of state. Those of us left on the board are hoping mistakes, and cultural humility. This effort
Raven Reed Starr (Resigned September 2021)
planners, emergency responders, and past that the new members you are voting on will inject will involve all church groups assessing how
Carla Williams
and present board presidents to study, make new energy and vitality into your overstretched our systems are inclusive or oppressive to
Sally Wistrand (Resigned July 2021)
recommendations, and develop policies for the church board membership. people of color, people of all incomes, people
The Rev. Angela Herrera, ex officio
bylaws to guide how we could reopen to minimize with different physical abilities, and people
We were all hoping 2021 would be a better health risks. Each board meeting included Next Year’s Priorities of all ages. If you are already in one of the
year than 2020 turned out to be, including the briefings from the task force, as well as the status Operating Budget many church groups learning and working
members of your church board. Given pandemic of state and national pandemic precautions. The against oppression, thank you. If you are not,
As you have heard (or soon will hear), our annual
precautions, the board continued meeting board unanimously supported a conservative we encourage you to get engaged. We need
pledge campaign did not meet our pledge
exclusively via Zoom, which made bonding approach to reopening the church in order more people to step up and do this important
goal for the proposed 2022 budget, even with
difficult. Even with these challenges, we had to protect all members of the congregation, but work, so you are invited and encouraged to
the tremendous generosity of many members.
some major accomplishments. especially those at high-risk—even as some take advantage of the training, programs,
There are several factors in play. Even before
The Arc Building church members shared their opinions that the COVID, the church had grown quickly for several resources, and partnerships the church will
church was too conservative in our reopening years, and pledges often lag behind these surges offer throughout 2022. Our hope is that
The ARC Building task force investigated, and
approach. In late summer 2021, COVID cases in growth. Then, we added several paid staff this will lead to a congregational vote at
ultimately recommended, that the board send the
started to dip, and the state was reopening. positions to help serve our large congregation, our 2023 Annual Meeting to adopt the
purchase of the Arc Building to the congregation
Smaller church groups started meeting again and including a paid IT staff member, a Technical Arts UUA's Eighth Principle and that our church
for a vote. The board convened a special
the church office opened with safety measures Director, and a separate Director of Finance and will commit to embracing multiple cultures,
congregational meeting on May 16, 2021 and
and restrictions in place. Next, the board voted on Director of Operations. The federal emergency celebrating difference, and showing leadership
members of both the ARC Building task force,
policies to guide reopening the church campus to response funds covered the cost of these new in anti-oppression work for generations to
and the Director of Finance and Operations,
add one in-person worship service on Sundays, positions, as well as lags in pledges during come.
presented information about why the church
with masks and social distancing required. The COVID. We managed to end the year with a Conclusion
should purchase the property. The congregation
Zoom service each Sunday helps serve our high- surplus because of the conservative spending of It has been a stressful two years for all of us.
voted to purchase, and the sale was finalized
risk members and those members not comfortable church staff during COVID, savings from not using Did you know that burnout is tied directly to
in August. The Arc Building gives us some
meeting in person. Having these options is church facilities while the campus was closed, the inability to complete a stress cycle? You
flexibility around the future of the Wesson/Arnold
intended to serve all church members, who form and—most importantly—the carried over federal do now! Personal self-care and intentional
building, which is near the end of its useful life.
a spectrum of health concerns, risk tolerance, and emergency funds from 2020. 2022 will be the community-building is important for all of us.
We know that we will need to update the Campus
need for connection. first year we will need to cover the cost of We hope the church has been able to offer
Master Plan in order to figure out how best to
use the building, given the many competing The board continues to monitor the health our increased church staff just from pledges. you a lifeline for that care. Our community
needs that we have for that space, and the situation, as well as the needs of our congregation. An extraordinarily generous gift from one church is strong; we will survive all the turmoil.
need to incorporate the building physically into We appreciate that we need to do our best to family will cover the gap in our pledges this year We will continue building this liberal religious
our campus. The update to the Campus Master serve everyone; meet needs as best as we can; only. Let’s hope pledges and donations pick up community to model how to care for others
Plan will likely happen in 2023, given budget minimize risk and maximize safety balanced during the coming church year. If not, next year and ourselves. Thank you so much for all
constraints this year and the need to focus on against the need to stay together and serve will need to include a difficult conversation about you do, and all the support you give, to our
the 8th principle in 2023. (See below.) In the each other. The health and safety of the what programs or staff hours may need to be cut, church.
6 7
Treasurer
Joyce Etheridge, Interim
Summary of Financial Status revenue by renting to supplement future revenue.
In the future, consideration must be given to
The church was facing a potential 25% shortfall maintenance, accounting/administration required,
in pledges for 2022, which could have led and other tasks associated with the building.
to substantial budget cuts. However, in late
December, a generous donor family (members Solar Panels—We bought out the remaining
of the church) approached us with an offer. lease for $88,000 at a much-reduced rate. This
They told us they would cover any amount of resulted in a savings of S22,000 each year by
pledges we need to meet our current budget eliminating lease payments. The holder of the
goals. lease did not want to be in the business of leasing
them and offered to let the church buy them.
Actual 2021 income from all sources (pledges,
miscellaneous and endowment income) was Director of Finance—Phillip Robinson was
$1,022,612. Total expenses were $996,721 chosen as our new Director of Finance replacing
which was 95% of budget. Throughout the year, the interim director, Warren Hayslip.
we saw lower revenues from contributions and
facility rentals. Luckily, these revenue shortages
were offset by savings in expenses. We were
Focus for 2022
1. The auditors had five recommendations
able to reduce our expenses, mostly due to
to strengthen our accounting/financial
the delay in reopening the church campus.
practices. The Finance Committee will review
In November and December, we ended
the recommendations and work toward
up surpassing our contribution revenue
implementation as appropriate.
budget. Our allocated surplus from prior year
was $106,556 and we ended 2021 with a
2. The Finance Committee plans to add additional
surplus of $60,754.
members and strengthen our commitment to
provide advice to the Board. In addition, the
Activities in 2021 Finance Committee plans to be very involved in
the anti-oppression, anti-racism journey as we
Audit—The church “passed” an independent work to implement the 8th Principle.
audit of our financial statements by Hinkle
& Landers, P.C. which was recommended
in 2020. The report indicated the financial
statements presented fairly and accurately the
financial position of the church for the year
ended 12/31/2020.
ARC Building—When we discovered the Arc
building was for sale, we decided to purchase
the building for a variety of reasons. First,
since the building and grounds are adjacent to
the church, we wanted to be sure the tenants
reflected our mission and beliefs. Also, the
building could be available for our use when we
need further space or if we want to raise extra
8 9
Associate Minister Throughout the year I participated in outreach with Street
Safe NM, and I serve on the board of OffCenter Arts. In
The Rev. Bob LaVallee November, I co-led an online retreat for 18 UU ministers
across the district. I continue to serve as Secretary for the
UU Minister’s Association for the Mountain Desert District
Chapter.
As 2021 began, we were faced with the grim cultivated the use of lay leaders to support our
reality that the pandemic wasn't going anywhere vespers services, reducing the burden on me, Sermons Preached in 2021:
soon but we were hopeful about the potential bringing good energy to these popular rituals, and
• Religious Imagination: History of The Prairie
impact of the vaccines. We saw an insurrection developing lay leadership. Sisterhood
almost stop the peaceful transfer of presidential
ARC Building: • MLK’s Gift and Challenge
power, a logical progression of an ever-more
fascistic administration. Some hope, and lots to In March, the ARC Building Task Force completed
their work evaluating the appropriateness • Better Together:The Beauty and Morality of Groups
be worried about. Meanwhile, the work of the
church continued. My year, in no particular order: and viability of purchasing the property, and • To All Get Free Together: Bayard Rustin
recommended that the board move forward with
the purchase process. The board agreed and • At the Precipice: Climate and Faith
Radical Generosity and the Operating Pledge
Campaign: scheduled a special congregational meeting for • Beloved Conversations: Justice, Discomfort, and Joy
May.
In January 2021 we completed a successful • Same Storm, Different Boats: Late Stage Capitalism
pledge drive. Given the year we had, it was In April, we submitted a non-binding letter of
a testament to the commitment that folks feel intent to purchase the ARC building, pending a • Braiding Sweetgrass: Consumerism
towards this church, and the church’s ability to successful vote at the congregational meeting.
• Possibilities of Gratitude: Accepting Gratitude from
continue to connect. The Radical Generosity The congregational vote was indeed successful, Other People
Committee continued the work of year-round and we moved forward with the purchase
radical generosity, conducting events for Giving process, closing in late August. Mindful of the fact • The 8th Principle
Circle members, and reaching out to the general that some people were still paying off their Social • Affirming Life, Affirming Choice: Reproductive Justice
congregation. This fall’s operating pledge Hall renovation pledges, we held a low-key capital
campaign is almost complete and with the benefit campaign to purchase the building. Much to our • Regret and Redemption: Making Peace with Our
surprise, we raised almost the entire purchase Pasts
of a generous family, we will once again meet our
goal. amount. • Settler Colonialism
Administrative Staffing: COVID: • Thieves of Joy: Sarcasm, Cynicism, and Envy
Warren Hayslip began his interim role as our We re-opened the church in May for small group
Director of Finance & Operations in January. In gatherings, and added an in-person worship
anticipation of Warren’s departure in September, service in September. It was a significant amount
we offered our able accountant Phillip Robinson of work to add the second, very different service,
the position of Director of Finance and initiated but it’s also a real service to folks feeling the
our search for a Director of Operations. I handled impacts of the isolation.
the Director of Operations duties from that point Activism/Denominational Affairs:
forward. After a long search, we have hired a
In February, I recorded a podcast with Rabbi
Director of Operations to start in mid-January.
Harry Rosenfeld for the NM Humanities Council.
Sabbatical: I organized a public reading of the Roe v. Wade
Rev. Angela began her much-needed sabbatical decision in early October, partnering with the NM
in February. I had the happy task of arranging for Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, and
guest ministers to cover our services during the their Executive Director Joan Lamunyon Sanford
four months that she was out. It was a delight shared remarks. A couple dozen folks attended.
to bring a diversity of styles, social locations, I shared a prayer at the Vigil for the one-year
and perspectives to the congregation. We also anniversary of the January 6 insurrection.
10 11
Director of Religious Education
September 2021 through December 2021 Worship
• 5 registered elementary children attended a Our online worship service offers a Time for
Mia Noren, Credentialed DRE total of 25 times.
• 9 youth (in-person and on Zoom) attended a
All Ages, and Mia produces one for the third
week of the month. Twice, she was fortunate to
total of 85 times. collaborate on these with Kellie Ingram, DRE at
• 2 regular adult volunteers at 11:00 am, with a UU Church of Las Cruces.
Staffing total of 10 volunteer hours. Because the Family Room in the Sanctuary
Mia Noren completed her 7th year as DRE, opened in August 2021. • 1 adult volunteer handling our sign-in desk, could not reopen due to ventilation issues, and
Alana Rodriguez completed her 7th year as Last year, we rolled over registration since all the with a total of 8 volunteer hours. since childcare for children under 3 has not
RE Assistant, and her 2nd year as our Youth programming was virtual and we wanted all our • 2 youth advisors, with a total of 11 volunteer resumed, Mia re-designed our Nursery as a new
Programs Coordinator. The RE Aide position programming to remain open to everyone who hours Family Room so that families with children under
was removed from the proposed 2022 budget was registered in 2020. In September of 2021, we three have the option to watch the live service
since we have not held in-person classes since re-opened registration and there are currently 40 over a zoom link.
families registered, representing 34 youth and 39 Religious Education Programming
June 2020. The childcare pool of workers is
at 5. Many of our previous childcare workers children. With minimal attendance after reopening in RE Council
graduated or took on other work during the time September, and recognizing that parents and
RE Council continues to operate with portfolios,
we could not offer childcare. Attendance numbers caregivers were now truly the only religious
and this year met on average every other month
It has been hard to keep an accurate count of educators for their children, Mia began writing a
Mia continues to serve on the Mountain Desert using Zoom. Mia meets with the Chair, Benita
attendance. Zoom RE for children ended in simple weekly lesson that includes a storybook
District LREDA Board in the advisory position of Terrell, every month. Nicia Rae, Callie Cone, and
May and resumed in September, but it soon link, with reflection questions and an activity,
Past Chair. She continues to assist with running Delino Kapelianis left the RE Council at the end
became apparent that children had lost interest in which were then posted on the UU Families
the Religious Educator Support Group and of 2021. The rest of the team plans to stay in
online programming and the Zoom meetings for Facebook page and emailed to registered
advising the current leadership team. place at least until we can transition to meeting
elementary kids ended at the end of September. families. Youth continued to meet online and
Mia participated in virtual workshops and in-person again.
kicked off meeting in person again in June with
trainings including Meadville Lombard’s virtual Over the year we had 5 youth advisors and
an ice cream social. Youth are now meeting
Beloved Conversations program “Within”; 4 elementary volunteers. Coming of Age was Summer RE Programming
on the playground in a hybrid model, as some
General Assembly in June, and LREDA online, run by 3 volunteers. There was no Our In recognition that summer programming
remain virtual. Mia and Alana are using the Soul
Professional Days at GA; virtual LREDA Fall Whole Lives (OWL) programming because we is always lightly attended, and families and
Matters curriculum as the main resource for
Con focused on Widening the Circle; Emergent aren’t allowed to offer it online. People continued staff were exhausted after more than a year
lessons.
Strategy for Religious Educators: Shaping to contact us about it—members and non- of Covid, we did not offer formal virtual
members— so we offered small group Parents as Bitmoji Resource Rooms were created all year
Change, studying the work of Adrienne Marie programming in Summer 2021. Instead, Youth
Sexuality Educators which was facilitated by Mia through May, and then discontinued due to very
Brown; Pastoral Care for Religious Educators, met for informal gatherings outside, starting with
and Alana. limited participation.
with Rev. Sunshine Wolf and Annie Scott, and an ice cream social in June. Alana also hosted
she continues to meet virtually with a local-to- Here are our attendance records. All numbers In September, Mia began making the movie nights, game nights, and Minecraft. Mia
Albuquerque group, Liberal Interfaith Religious include anyone who attended 3 or more times. playground available to children to come hosted RE family movie nights. Families could
Educators. and play. Play helps children to re-establish also sign up for an activity packet, Summer
September 2020 through June 2021
connections and create new friendships, crucial AdventUUre Journal, which was sent out in
Alana is participating in Pastoral Care for • 11 registered elementary children, 2
to developing a strong link to church and to June.
Religious Educators, and earlier in the year unregistered, and 3 adults (one staff, 2 volunteers)
attending youth group. A minimal number of
attended virtual Finding Our Way Home, a • 15 registered youth, no unregistered youth, and
children attend, but we have had three new Community
gathering of religious educators of color; LREDA 6 adults (one staff, 5 volunteers)
families connect with us in this way.
Professional days and GA, and the Pacific • Coming of Age: Only one in-person community event took place
West Regional Assembly. She acted as a youth • 4 youth registered, 3 advisors Plans are underway to create an inside this year, a costumed Halloween party on the
advisor at our virtual District Youth Bridging Con. • Parents and Caregivers as Sexuality Educators: environment in the event we have bad weather. playground consisting of a UU Scavenger Hunt
She spent the last year as the MDD LREDA • 8 parents registered, 2 facilitators Different areas of the Chapel and hallways will and some other games with prizes. It ended with
Treasurer. • SUUmmer AdventUUre JoUUnal: host block play, art activities, books relevant to an all-ages parade in our Courtyard. It was a
• 17 children and youth registered to receive the the theme, and a music area. Keeping it all in drop-off event, but most parents stayed to help
Registration numbers packet one area will enable us to put this into action and participate in the fun.
• UU Kids Summer Day Camp with minimal supervision—a staff person, two
Our regular registration term would be Part of community is doing things to hold the
• 11 campers, including 4 CITs registered. childcare workers, and sometimes a volunteer.
September 2020 through August 2021. community together and trying to retain ties to
Registration for the current year, 2021-22, was • 5 councilors and 1 Young Adult Mentor (YAM)
12 13
families that aren’t attending. In February, Mia and
Alana began sending out handwritten birthday cards
Youth Programs Coordinator
to every child and youth that included a high-quality Alana Rodriguez
Chalice or UU sticker. We sent an activity packet
out in September to celebrate “meeting” again, and
another at the end of the year containing crafts,
games, gifts, and a UU Christmas lesson about I started the 2021 curriculum year with the
Christmas Trees. person events like an Outdoor Ice Cream
goal of developing and maintaining social Party, an Escape Room and a Water Play Day.
Although no longer interested in an online parent connections among the youth, and creative ways Starting in September 2021 I changed our
drop-in meeting, our adults continued to need to keep them connected to the church. This meeting time to 10:00 am and provide a hybrid
supportive programming and this year Mia offered an was no small task, since we were 100% virtual All Youth Check-In, where in-person attendees
online small group, Parents of Preschoolers, which and by then all of us were having major Zoom meet outdoors with masks. Virtual activities, like
began Oct 2020 and ended in June 2021. Once it fatigue. Minecraft and movies have continued, along
became apparent that we could not offer OWL in with monthly high school only events.
2021, Mia and Alana offered another online small I held All Youth Check-Ins on Sundays at 12:15,
group, Parents as Sexuality Educators, from April after the 11:00 am Zoom service, for 6-12th As part of my professional development, I
2021 through August 2021. graders. Our meeting times included a chalice attended Virtual Finding Our Way Home,
lighting, check-in question, and an activity. a gathering of religious educators of color,
UU Kids Camp Activities included watching a short film or Ted LREDA Professional Days before General
Talk, playing a game, making a craft, or have a Assembly – which I also attended and
There was no fundraising last year since we still
guest speaker. One of the few blessings being participated in the BIPOC caucus meetings,
have Camp donation money from previous years.
virtual brought was the ability to ask members Pacific Western Region Assembly, and I was
While virtual camp was successful the first year of
of our wider community, and members of our an advisor at Virtual District Youth Bridging
the pandemic, there was no enthusiasm for that this
congregation, to come and meet the youth Con. I was also voted in as the MDD LREDA
year, and camp leadership decided on an in-person
of our church. Some visitors of note were Chapter Treasurer at the 2021 Virtual Retreat
half-day program on our playground, held July 22nd-
Adrian Lawyer, the director of the Transgender and Business Meeting. It goes without saying
24th.
Resource Center of New Mexico, a laughter that it was a busy year, with lots of difficult
yoga instructor, a member of Earth Web, and and beautiful moments. I am grateful for the
RE Buildings and Grounds Rev. Bob LaVallee. youth of this church and for the opportunity to
Although our building was mostly empty in 2020, continue serving them.
some long-awaited improvements were made to I have subscribed and continued to use the “One
the RE Building, mostly involving paint. Mia began the Road Together” packet from Soul Matters,
meeting with the Landscape Committee in October which is created for youth groups. I created
and some needed improvements to playground a Bitmoji Resource Room which had links to
equipment are now finished or underway. content related to the theme every month and
was updated weekly. The link was posted on
Facebook and emailed to families to explore
when it was convenient. I also created or help
create some social justice or social service
opportunities, notably collecting Valentine’s
cards created by the youth which were delivered
to Meals on Wheels recipients.
During the summer, we took a hiatus from
weekly gatherings, which is typical for us. I
continued having once or twice monthly social
events, which included Minecraft Game Days
and Virtual Movie Nights and Jackbox Game
Days. I was happy to also include some in-
14
Director of Music Technical Arts Director
Susan Peck Chris Paul
The mission of the music program is to Francisco Ruíz, Cris Matthews and Heather May,
inspire and support worship through high Armando Ortega and Wagogo, Cathryn McGill, Ayo Providing technical support and participation both technical and personal. I have replaced
quality music in a variety of styles, encourage Oriola, KJ Walker, Tom Godfrey. for 2021 was a bit like growing a Bonsai the equipment that was causing buzzing and
members to participate in congregational Key Events & Accomplishments in 2021 tree. You know how you would like it to grow, sometimes produced no sound at all. Getting
music, and build connections with the wider the tree has other ideas, the process can be good sound to the Social Hall is particularly
community through music. Susan was granted a 10-week sabbatical. challenging—and sometimes frustrating— challenging because it requires a completely
Following 5 years of service, she enjoyed 8 weeks in but the result can be unexpected, and often different sound mix than the Sanctuary. We are
The music program includes one paid staff
July/August and 2 weeks in late October for rest and beautiful. working on ways to set up good sound levels for
member: Susan Peck, Director of Music.
rejuvenation. During her time off, she traveled to visit
Pianist Gabriel Longuinhos has appeared as the Social Hall before each service. We also hope
family and friends, participated in online retreats and
an occasional guest musician with his wife, Shea I had hoped that we would have been able to do that the Facility Hosts can take over setting up the
workshops, began composing a choral song cycle for
Perry, due to continuing visa restrictions. fully hybrid services every Sunday. It turns out Social Hall for the 11:00 services.
Chalice Choir, hiked, and took up rock-climbing.
that in-person and online services are apples
Regular volunteer participants include: Creating virtual and in-person worship, with and oranges. Beyond the technical challenges of We have replaced defective equipment in the
• Chalice Choir: 15-25 singers rehearsed on COVID restrictions on communal singing. With the
putting a live service online (and there are many) Sanctuary, including failed cameras and video
Zoom through May 2021, and continued to create shift to multi-platform worship in September, Susan
in-person and online participants experience transmitters. Many thanks to George Bakula for
virtual choir videos. Chalice Choir took the summer worked with tech team to create music for both in-
worship services in very different ways. In- covering the cost of some of this. We can even
off, and returned to in-person rehearsals in the fall, person and Zoom services, striving to keep music
content similar for both services. After exploring
person is a shared event where the gestalt can now record audio and video there, as we did for
beginning with outdoor rehearsals in the courtyard grow beyond the individual. Online is a more the Puppets Christmas Eve service!
and moving in to the social hall (all singers the tech challenges of zooming live for the 9:00 am
service, Susan agreed to work with guest musicians personal, even intimate experience. Combining
vaccinated, masked, and distanced) at the end of them makes the participants of each form keenly Most importantly, several new people have
October. Chalice Choir performed in the courtyard and Tech Arts Director to submit videos whenever
possible. aware of what they are missing from the other volunteered to help with the tech for services. I
after church one Sunday. form. am particularly happy that several women are
• Sol Singers: 12-20 singers met weekly on Susan was asked to co-write a new curriculum
for the Music Leadership Certification Program, giving their time and skills—we never wanted
Zoom through the spring, in the courtyard through We have found that playing to the strength this to be a boy’s club.
summer and fall (with Zoom link open) and moved on Developing and Maintaining a Music Program.
The course will be offered online in spring 2022, and of each form helps participants to center and
into the social hall at the end of October. Sol grow within each experience. Reuniting for in- Thank you to the ministers, staff and volunteers
Singers shared several songs at the Memorial Wall addresses spiritual and practical questions for music
directors, including building multi-cultural relationships person worship services has turned out to be a who are making Tech Arts part of an ever-growing,
service in early November.
and facing the challenges of multi-platform worship. joy for those who have missed our community. ever-changing, ever-surprising experience.
•Spare Parts: 3-7 musicians have begun Maintaining and strengthening our online
rehearsing together, masked, in the social hall and Virtual Open Mic continued, building community
with a regular group of musicians and writers who worship services has enabled us to share with
sanctuary, and have provided music for 3 services. a larger community. Some reasons that people
share their work on Zoom once a month. We are
• We have a roster of 5 musicians who alternate have chosen the online form include visual,
looking forward to the day we can hold Coffee House
providing music for our weekly vespers hearing, and mobility challenges, living out of
Open Mics in the Social Hall.
services. town and, of course, concern about COVID. My
• On Hiatus: Chamber Playing Group, RE Holiday music: Sol Singers held a “lessons and
songs” service on December 20. Susan presented personal feeling, after experiencing both forms
Family Sing Song-Leaders, Ad-hoc UUkulele for more than a year, is that I cherish both! I
Ensemble a solstice-themed music and poetry vespers service
on Dec. 22, with poetry from the Open Mic group. never thought I would want to experience two
•Guest and member musicians in worship: A quartet from Chalice Choir recorded songs for services every Sunday, but I do.
Members: Linda Myers, Vance Bass, Sharon the puppets’ virtual Christmas pageant service.
Stepler, Dave Edwards, Sue Spaven, Laura Unfortunately, Chalice Choir’s hopes to sing live The Tech Arts team has worked hard to make
Bartolucci, Niko Smith, Anna Watkins. for the 7:00 Christmas Eve service were dashed by both forms not only possible, but a great
Guests: Randy Granger, Peter Mayer, Lea worries of omicron variant. experience. We have made use of the Social
Morris, Petroglyph String Quartet, Issa Noor, Glen Hall as a regular part of the 11:00 in-person
Thomas Rideout, members of Sanctuary Boston, services. There have been challenges with that,
16 17
Director of Membership &
Communications
Laira Magnusson
Our Mission Covenant interest after the first of the year. I knew we were still the input of the Widening the Circle of Concern study Welcome to Our New Members in 2021!
We, the members of First Unitarian, agree to: welcoming multiple visitors to our weekly worship, group and our People of Color group with the purpose Laurie Barnes
though, because our email list has continued to of radically changing how it feels to be a newcomer at
Promote the spiritual, intellectual, and expand, and I was receiving multiple Virtual Visitor First Unitarian. Led by our coordinator, Linda Skye, our Jess Bess
personal growth of each member Cards from our website each week. I have chalked HI! Team greeters can be found on Sunday mornings Mozely Bleistein
that up to Zoom (and pandemic!) fatigue, something wearing turquoise scarves and making connections Andrea De Angelo
Minister to each other in an atmosphere of
all of us are experiencing on one level or another. between established members of our church and
welcome, acceptance, and caring Jennifer De Angelo
This theory proved true once we reopened our newcomers.
Be a positive force for social, environmental, Annabella Flores
doors to in-person worship on September 12. Much like the interest in visitor breakout sessions on
and economic action Annette Forrest
From that first Sunday back on campus, we have Zoom, there was a drop in those interested in joining the
Promote the wider understanding of our continued to have multiple visitors each week, many church virtually. I began offering in-person Joining Jay Forrest
purposes and principles in the larger who have continued to return, and several who have Ceremonies outside in June which were well-attended.
community Tristan Forrest
since joined our membership. Once we reopened on Sundays, the Joining Ceremonies
Provide a dynamic religious education expanded in size. Almost half of the people who Nancy Gilson
The way we’ve welcomed those in-person
program for all ages visitors has changed since 2020. Instead of joined the church in 2021 did so in the last quarter. Debi Goyer
signing a guest registry at the Welcome Table, Meanwhile, our Membership Committee has been Jerry Goyer
To these ends, we declare our commitment to our visitors now are asked to fill out a card that hard at work, despite our continued inability to host Erin Hagenow
the health and vitality of this liberal religious asks more about who they are, why they are here, a New Member Dinner. We are going to have quite a
community. Julie Hartig
and what they are looking for by coming in our party when the time comes! Former chair Cheri Plavnick
According to First Unitarian's Bylaws, a member is doors. When they bring these cards back to the led a Membership Outreach Program, looking for Steve Hartig
someone who has signed the membership book (or Welcome Table, we give them a Welcome Packet, information from our newest members about how we can Philip Hughes-Luing
an approved proxy) and has made an identifiable which includes information about Unitarian better include them in the life of the church. New chair
Ben Sadek Kennedy
financial contribution during the previous year. Universalism and First Unitarian tucked inside a Gwen Sawyer convened a Journey of Membership
Before the Annual Meeting each year, I work with very popular mug with a picture of our beautiful Coalition formed by members of the Welcome Table, Alena Kuhlemeier
the Director of Finance to reach out to those who mural on it. (Yes, we will be selling them to Hospitality & Inclusion Team, Leadership Succession Rebecca Leeman
have not been contributing to determine whether members soon!) Those visitor cards don’t just go Committee, Membership Outreach Program, and Adult Eric Michaelsen
they intend to retain their membership with the in a file somewhere. I individually reply to each of Religious Education Council. This group is focused on
church. Following this year’s outreach, our current them with a personal email, welcoming them to our how these groups can work together to guide people John Reeve
membership numbers are as follows: congregation, and opening a conversation about from a first-time visit to becoming leaders in the church. Judith Riley
how they can get involved. Our Welcome Table Many exciting ideas are brewing there! Phillip Robinson
Active Members: 762 people coordinator, Louise Gerstle, reaches out to them, 2021 continued to provide unique challenges for our Victoria Rosquist
New Members in 2021: 32 people as well. The response to this new effort has been membership, but I am hopeful about a exciting and
Lost Members in 2021: 122 people overwhelmingly positive. Shanna Sasser
inclusive future for First U in 2022.
Deceased: 9 Cory Sudduth
Resigned: 22 Another effort that I hope will continue to widen
Inactive (due to lack of contribution): 91 Kathie Thanisch
our welcome while furthering our anti-racism and
anti-oppression work is the introduction of the Tom Tipton
This year, we entered hybrid times! Flexibility Hospitality & Inclusion (HI!) Team to our Sunday Ethan Van
continues to be key to how we welcome and mornings. Rev. Bob and I conducted a training
Elly VanMil
include new people to our congregation and for these new greeters in early December, focused
on how we offer Radical Hospitality to everyone Cierra Wagner
membership. I began the year trying to find new
ways to welcome visitors virtually, with mixed who comes on our campus, with an expanding Sharz Weeks
results. Breakout sessions for newcomers following awareness of how microaggressions may be turning
Zoom worship started to wane in attendance and people away. This training was developed with
18 19Endowment Committee Leadership Succession Committee
Gary Norris, Chair Marilyn O'Boyle
Interim Chair since September 2021
Members Committee continues to encourage the use of
Andy Apple the fund for longer-term church needs and the Members Unitarian Universalism has been a movement
Howell Lind growth of the fund. Sue Coates, Interim since October 2021 centered among liberal white Americans since
Margo Milleret This year, the board of directors has Ron Garcia-Herrera its creation. Now we are reckoning with our
approved inclusion, in the 2022 proposed Jordan Jones denomination’s tacit support of white supremacy.
Jan. 1, 2021 beginning balance: $1,023,101 budget, of $35k of the available Endowment Lucy Silva We want our church to become a center of anti-
Market Growth in 2021 + 79,241 Fund income to be used for campus care racist growth and activity, and we’re working
The Leadership Succession Committee reports on that by inviting members of color to step
Contributions added in 2021 + 12,291 ($15k) and in support of the adoption of the that we have achieved our goal for 2022, up to leadership as well as seeking out
Annual Withdrawal - 30,000 proposed 8th Principle ($20k). as we offer qualified and dedicated church members committed to opening doors to
Withdrawal of erroneous
members for consideration to serve in First equity and inclusion. We need to reach out and
deposits in prior years - 33,000
Future Growth Unitarian Church’s Standing Committees. give leadership opportunities to more people of
Many of you have let us know of your estate We were committed to working toward a color and more young people. We want to find
Dec. 31, 2021 balance $1,051,633
planning intentions, and based on today's diverse and inclusive Beloved Community and more ways to include the whole of our Beloved
estimated value, our projections suggest that directed our efforts toward that goal. Community.
Current Financial Status of the Fund in the future our Endowment Fund could We did this by working with you, the
The fund grew last year by $63,152. due to a grow by over $3.91 Million. We believe there congregation, to maintain the continuity of For 2022, here are some of the actions we will
combination of new gifts and stock market growth. are others who may have already included volunteer leadership within our Standing pursue:
After correcting a previous year deposit error, First Unitarian in their estate plans, and if that Committees. We sought referrals to members • Coordinating leadership training for
we ended 2021 with a healthy balance of is the case, we encourage our members to who might be interested in volunteer prospective members of standing committees
$1,051,633. complete an Estate Intention Form to inform leadership from our own connections within the and other committees as well.
the Endowment Committee or the church office. congregation; from members who have been • Putting out a call to the entire congregation
leaders in the past; from the staff, especially to find people interested in leadership.
During 2021, the Endowment Fund contributed Laira Magnusson, and from the ministers. We
$30,000. to fund church projects, including $13k Thank You! • Creating mentoring relationships between
then reached out to our referrals, and found
towards a server and computer equipment, $13k Thank you for your generosity in ensuring that experienced and new committee members and/
people who had the inclination, the time, and
for campus care, and $4k for iMinistry equipment. First Unitarian is financially supported into or staff to ensure the learning of First Unitarian
the courage to step up.
perpetuity! processes and procedures.
We continued to explore the synergy
Plans for 2022 between leadership development We extend our sincere gratitude to Andrew
Using the formula defined by our Bylaws, it is programming, faith development Fearnside for his service to the Committee,
possible to spend up to $35k in endowment programming, and volunteer leadership by and to Ron Garcia-Herrera as he completes
income to fund church projects. The Endowment reaching out to First U volunteer veterans with his two-year term.
experience in those areas.
The LSC does its best to create a group of Our Nominees for 2022 First Unitarian Church
new leaders each year that is diverse in many Standing Committees:
ways. This was challenging this year, as we Board of Directors: Dámaris Donado,
did not get to visit with each other face-to-face. Joyce Etheridge (acting interim Treasurer), Kathi
However, we were able to find people willing to Foy, Bill Slakey, Maya Stephenson
step up, some with many years of volunteering Endowment Committee:Peter Chestnut, James
here, and some who are relatively new to the Gilson, Tim Nisly, Peggy Whitmore
church. We found people with experience Leadership Succession Committee: Sue
behind the scenes in several crucial church Coates, Judy Goering, Martha Ketelle, Nancy
areas, and we found people with a wide Kilpatrick, Marilyn O’Boyle
range of life experiences.
20 21Buildings & Grounds Committee
Stephen Phillips, Chair
Committee Members project has been listed for several years and The church's purchase of THE ARC property
Jake Barkdoll requires attention as soon as possible, as the and building will no doubt have a substantial
Mark Boldman buildings are more than twenty years old and impact on the quantity and diversity of Building
Steve Phillips cracks in the stucco have been evident for a and Grounds projects in several years to come.
Dumas Slade number of years. In essence, the center of the church campus
2. North Parking Lot Improvements – Currently will move south and the scope and nature of the
A Brief History of Committee Membership unfunded. Paved surface deterioration is courtyard and inter-campus walkways will evolve
In July of 2015, Steve Phillips was asked by extensive and requires immediate attention. to reflect the functions supported by the new
Reverend Christine Robinson to reactivate building. In addition, some structures that have
3. Maintaining the south boundary area of the outlived their cost-effectiveness may be removed.
a dormant committee and become its chair. campus. – Funded through facilities management In any case, integration of THE ARC building into
Jake Barkdoll and Dumas Slade soon joined budget. Substantial accumulation of trash in campus operations will guarantee a continuous
the committee. In the next several years Zoe the south parking lot and the campus southern
Walton, Daniel Vance, and John Feavearyear inventory of projects to be funded and completed.
property line is beyond the ability of the church
served on the committee. These three volunteers to maintain. Facilities management The Buildings and Grounds Committee continues
individuals have since passed away. and janitorial staff agreed to assume responsibility its close working relationship with the Landscape
Jake Barkdoll became chair in 2016 as Steve for keeping this area clean. Committee. The Committee is delighted with the
Phillips stepped down to become an active
4. Wildlife Habitat Deck and Landscape design recruitment of Mr. Charles England as the Director
volunteer staff member, helping the Director
project. – Partly funded. Deck drawings and of Operations and looks forward to developing a
of Operations and Finance manage several
plans for restoring the landscape on the east and productive working relationship.
major campus improvement projects. Steve
Phillips assumed leadership of the Landscape south sides of the Social Hall are complete. The
Committee a few years later. Mark Boldman project awaits additional funding and was on hold
joined the committee in 2020. until a new Director of Operations wass in place.
In 2021 Jake Barkdoll stepped down as chair 5. Irrigation System Upgrades – Limited funding
due to ill health and Steve Phillips again through facilities management budget. This
assumed leadership on an interim basis until project is ongoing through facilities management
additional church members are recruited to as funds become available.
serve on the committee and a new chair is 6. Church Sign Improvements and Landscape
identified. It is worth noting that Jake Barkdoll, Changes at the Corner of Comanche and
Dumas Slade, and Steve Phillips have each Carlisle.
served on the committee for approximately
a. Church Sign Improvements Jake Barkdoll
6 years. The chair has asked the Board
is exploring design options and costs for
and ministers for help in recruiting church
improving or replacing this most important
members to serve on the committee.
marquee sign. – Currently unfunded.
Committee Activities b. The Landscape Committee has proposed
The Committee has continued to maintain a conversion of the landscape around the
spreadsheet of Campus Care Projects. The church sign and north end of the Sanctuary
spreadsheetm currently containing 17 projects, and the swale to a more xeric type while
was sent to the Board during their development preserving the large trees in the area. This
of the 2022 Operating Budget. High priority is in response to high water bills attributed to
projects include the following: irrigation of campus plants and trees. Planning
for this project has not been started. – Currently
1. RE and Office Building Exterior
unfunded.
Maintenance – Currently unfunded. This
22 23Landscape Committee
Melisa Nicoud, Interim Chair
Committee Members and, ultimately, upgrading our old, complicated,
properties. We requested an estimate from our
Andy Apple hodge-podge of a system. Through the dedicated
Facilities Manager, Mark Fickler, to clean up the
Nancy Cushman heart and hands of Stephen Phillips, many needed
“South 40.” The estimate from The Yard, $1500,
Marcia Finical repairs have been discerned and completed, and
was too high. An alternative plan will be presented
Nancy Gilson he has advised Mark Fickler on other outside help
to Landscape for a Spring clean-up of this area,
Martha Ketelle needed. Steve has let us know he can no longer do
Scott Lake in addition to separate plans to remove the
these repairs himself, and has turned these duties
Steve Philips construction debris and dirt there. After 18 months
over to Mark.
Mary Turpin of the campus being closed, the RE was in critical
Sarah Manning, Ad hoc need of a major cleanup. The Yard was hired to
RE Playground Climbing Structure and Swings
Ed Wallhagen—Inactive do this for the After School Tutoring Program in
October to allow the kids play on the grounds. After Before the tutoring program started up again, Carol
Virginia Burris –Retired
the purchase of ARC building and its parking lot in Oslund, ASTP coordinator, asked if the climbing
There are many members not on the committee structure and tire swings could be made safer for
August, The Yard was also hired to clean up the
who help on an ad hoc basis: Donna Collins, the kids, donating funds for these improvements.
grounds.
Nancy Bowen, Amanda Harper, Brie-Anne Stout, A meeting with Carol, Nancy Gilson, Darhla Gilson
Christine Robinson, and Ron Friederich; as (who has extensive experience in playground
Social Hall Landscaping Plans
well as many church members who help with development), Steve Phillips, Melisa Nicoud, and
the Spring and Fall clean-up events. Attempts 2021 saw continuation of landscape plans for the
Director of Religious Education, Mia Noren outlined
to recruit new members in the second year of Social Hall. A wrought iron fence was installed
a plan to improve these structures. The committee
COVID didn’t yield any new members. around the Wildlife Habitat thanks to a very
has started a document that reflects in detail what
This year brought better definition of what the generous donor. Plans for a deck in the Habitat
has been done, and identifies going forward what
Landscape Committee does and how it functions, were expected to proceed, but a spike in cost of
might be done before a new Campus Master Plan
resulting in new policy language to reflect the building materials, global supply chain issues,
is created that would renovate this entire area,
reality. In essence, the Landscape Committee will labor shortages, etc. saw the price of our deck
including the ARC Building. Mia Noren,Melisa
function as a standing committee of the board. construction tripled in cost. Another generous
Nicoud, Steve Phillips, and Ron Friederich started
donor has offered to see the deck become a reality.
the physical work on this project in mid-November
Maintenance Activities Landscape restoration to the east and south sides
and will continue into 2022, completing some
of the Habitat will happen after the deck is installed.
The committee continues to maintain the following upgrades that should see these structures through
areas of the church campus: Courtyard, Wildlife another 3-5 years.
Irrigation Repairs and Water Use
Habitat, around the Sanctuary and Social Hall,
north parking lot, and Memorial Garden. Due to a 2021 revealed significant issues with the campus
lack of committee members, the following areas irrigation system, beginning with the city changing
continue to not be maintained: RE Playground out the meter which was about 10 years old. As
and grassy area, south parking lot off Carlisle, and a consequence of the new meter, the water bill
the area adjacent to the intersection of Cherokee skyrocketed. We believe this is due to our old meter
Rd and Tyson Pl (“South 40” perimeter). Due which had quit working years before and thus didn’t
to lack of maintenance, this area, including the reflect real-time water use; valve boxes and water
RE Playground, has invited repeated abuse by times were way off; and more leaks in the system
trespassers. The exterior southern boundary were discovered after so many had been repaired.
accumulates inordinate amounts of trash and This led to a discussion of how to proceed in various
other debris that impacts adjacent private ways to lower our water usage through increased
xeriscaping, getting water to only our large trees,
24 25Healthy Community Team Radical Generosity Team
Sara Wofford, Chair Kristen Kennedy, Chair
Members 2021 Activities Members In addition to the annual pledge drive, the
The HCC met on a variable monthly or Caitlin Anderson Radical Generosity team:
Brenda Cole
bimonthly basis to ensure that any potential Kathryn Probasco
Cheri Plavnick • Offered financial literacy webinars to members,
issues under our purview could be adequately Eric Renz-Whitmore
Shelley Alonso-Marsden including "Women & Investing" and "Socially
monitored or addressed. The necessity of Meghan Shattuck Responsible Investing."
Milagros Padilla
social distancing this year limited our outreach David Wilson
Angela Herrera • Worked with staff to acknowledge and thank
initiatives, and we are waiting for a safe Sara Friederich, Board Liaison
members.
time to schedule and offer another conflict George Bakula, Board Liaison
With thanks to previous members Raven
management workshop. Rev. Bob LaVallee • Welcomed new members by attending new
Reed Starr, Dimitri Kapelianis, and Alisa member joining ceremonies each month.
Cooper de Uribe, who left the committee
The committee experienced some turnover In 2021, the Radical Generosity Team • Reached out to members who contribute
mid-year.
during the year, with three members leaving continued to fulfill the charge received from the significant time to the church in recognition of
and two others joining. board: their radical generosity.
The Healthy Community Committee (HCC) is
a Standing Committee of the Board. At First “The Radical Generosity Team is an • Wrote articles for the Messenger recognizing
Unitarian, the Healthy Community Committee In 2021, attendance at the quarterly Seasons ongoing committee of the board, tasked acts of radical generosity.
has been charged with assisting, in a of Change listening sessions had declined, so with overseeing the pledge drive and
confidential manner, our church community that activity was discontinued. A few conflicts fundraising for the annual operating We continue to look for ways to expand the
with appropriately managing conflict when it were reported to the committee during the budget, and helping First Unitarian refine definition of radical generosity and the ways
arises between or among church members year, which were referred to mediators as its stewardship practices and develop a that members give of their resources, time,
(including committees), or between the necessary. culture of generosity.” and talents for the benefit of all. Each act of
senior minister and church members. (Issues generosity is a gift.
with staff members or other ministers are Many members of the congregation are With the success of the virtual, Covid-safe
handled by supervisors, including the senior mindful of the struggles we face as we take approach that was developed in 2020, the Many thanks to the members of First Unitarian
minister.) on issues such as privilege and institutional Radical Generosity committee continued in for all you do. Together we make an incredible
racism, and are trying to engage in these 2021 with virtual events, pledge processes, difference.
Our procedures and guidelines for working struggles with integrity. But conflicts still arise, and our communications campaign.
through conflicts, together with current and the HCC is here to help the congregation
committee membership, are available on work through them. We look forward to the The committee worked alongside the board
the church website (uuabq.org) under opportunity to continue working for and of directors to reach out to members, and
About -> Governance and Organization -> with the beloved community in the coming to secure pledges to fully fund the work of
Conflict Resolution & Healthy Community. year. our church within the congregation, as well
In addition, church staff created an email as within our larger community. Despite the
address by which the committee can be fatigue of the pandemic and waning intrigue
contacted directly: hcc@uuabq.org. Please with Zoom, the congregation funded the
note that church members should contact 2022 budget set forth by the board.
the HCC only after attempting self-resolution
or when assistance doing so is needed. In
particular, disagreements between church
members and staff should be addressed
by communicating with the staff member’s
supervisor. The HCC provides resources
for managing conflicts; it does not channel
feedback or complaints.
26 27You can also read
