Prior to the Annual Meeting, we will experience our first service brunch. As we all know, Unitarian Universalists are generally not shy about offering their opinions. I personally welcome all of them whether they are a criticism or praise. That is especially true if they can elaborate on why they agreed or disagreed with something that has happened. Some have said they are concerned that this new service brunch idea will keep some away. My answer to that deserves some explanation of its own.

I come from a pretty conservative background. When I say conservative, I am referring to the non-political use of the term. A classic conservative point of view can be summed up by the old cliché, “If ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” That position makes it to easy to avoid change. Whether it is broke or not often depends on the observer’s opinion. Often this resistance to change is driven by fear or just being comfortable with things. I am not saying the fear or the feelings of comfort are wrong. However, change will happen. We are a community open to people who believe in one god, multiple gods, earth centered faith, and no god. We welcome all who come to our UUCV including the LGBTQ+ community, Cisgender, and non-gender conforming. Many have different ideas about the future of UUCV. This brunch service is somewhat different but, it is designed to be spiritually fulfilling and prepare us to do the serious business of the Annual Meeting.

You will depart the service spiritually satisfied and physically prepared by the meal. You won’t have to think about making it to the snack table afterwards. This is a different way of doing things. Let’s give it a try with an open mind and heart. For those of you who are hesitant, you may be surprised.

Jim Burton

UUCV Board President

Focus on Finances

This information is being provided in the hopes of facilitating the discussion of UUCV’s Proposed FY 24/25 Budget at our Annual Meeting.

From Dictionary. com - “Budget, noun - an estimate, often itemized, of expected income and expense for a given period in the future, a plan of operations based on such an estimate” Over the past several weeks the Finance Committee and Board have been involved in the task of creating a budget that reflects our plans for the next fiscal year, July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025.

At the April Town Hall meeting the congregation was asked what to trim in the budget if it was necessary to do so. The message received was, “We don’t want to cut anything”. The Finance Committee took this as a directive when creating three versions of the budget to submit to the Board. The three versions were all based on the same amount of income but offered a low, middle, and high choice for expense items that were not fixed costs. The Board then made final decisions by choosing selections from all three versions of the budget to come up with the final version of the FY 24/25 Proposed Budget. This final version has been made available to you either in print or on the UUCV website. You are encouraged to please review it prior to the Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 9th after the service where the Proposed FY 24/25 Budget will come up for a vote of approval.

You will notice the budget has three columns - FY 23/24 Approved Budget (gold), FY 23/24 Revised Budget (green), and FY 24/25 Proposed Budget (blue).

The green column shows the revision of the budget made when Rev Meg resigned and the Board arranged with Chris Kapp to be our ministerial consultant. FYI - The figures in the green column in the Ministry section and line 41, “Total Compensation and Benefits” represent actual expenditures made in 23/24. All other figures in the document are budget estimates.

The Proposed 24/25 Budget reflects continuing our arrangement with Chris Kapp as our ministerial consultant for 6 months ending Dec 31, 2024. And then beginning Jan 1, 2025, FY24/25 Proposed Budget includes 6 months with having a full time minster. This obviously represents our best guess at what might be possible while we are actively searching for a minister. Modifications will be needed as actual circumstances unfold.

When formulating the Proposed 24/25 Budget we took into consideration requests made by staff and committees for projected needs and expenditures. We considered changes to some staff salaries to reflect UUA recommendations and to bring them more in line with UU values for paying a fair wage. We recognized the truth of Building and Grounds recommendations for much overdo maintenance for painting the plaster walls, dealing with tile flooring issues, cleaning the carpet, and replacing lighting fixtures that can no longer be repaired. We considered funding for RE supplies and programming, funding for the music program, and funding for committees of the church to support our programming.

Many of the line items represent fixed costs so we sought out information from providers to get the best projection on the cost of utilities, maintenance contracts, and insurance policies. We all know the cost of things keep going up so we tried to build in a little cushion.

The FY 24/25 Proposed Budget is a deficit budget of about $18,000 dollars which means the projected expenses exceed the projected income by this amount. Because of not having a minister or a music director for the greater part of 23/24, we have been able to set aside money and project ending the year with at least $40,000 in savings. Based on the expressed wish to not give up anything, the Board is recommending utilizing about half of these savings toward the 24/25 budget to keep current staff and programming intact as we seek a new minister. However, we need to remember that this proposed budget only includes expenses for a full time minister for half of the year and when we hire a minster the FY 25/26 budget would essentially double the figures in the minister section.

In taking the step to approve the FY 24/25 Proposed Budget, we, as a congregation, are committing to our current staffing and programming and to the ongoing care of our building. We are also committing to honor our pledges to the best of our ability, and to actively participate toward

achieving the fund raising and grocery card sales goals. We have recognized that historically our fundraising has been mostly in house or what we can give above and beyond our pledges. As more and more of us are stretched thin by economic realities, it will become increasingly important to develop fundraising activities that can tap into the resources of the wider community. So we are committing to creatively work together toward providing UUCV with all that we need to thrive.

Thank you,

Wendy Gebb

UUCV Treasurer

June 2 – "Flower Communion"   Join us for a special all-ages worship service celebrating our beloved UU tradition of the Flower Communion. Just as no two flowers are alike, so no two people are alike, yet each has something beautiful to share. Together, different flowers create a lovely bouquet symbolizing our unique UUCV family. Bring a flower for the ceremony; you'll be invited to take a different flower home. By exchanging flowers we show our commitment to work together in Beloved Community. Lynn Sodora leads the service with worship associates from our teens and yuuth. 

June 9 – "In Defense of Pancake Communion"  A new adventure awaits us as we join for music and discussion in our dining hall, where we will explore the idea of what deems a place/time "holy", while sharing a brunch meal together. Bring your favorite brunch dish to share. Pancakes will be provided [gluten free pancakes will be available]. Rev. Chris Kapp leads the service.

June 16 - "Love Meets the Dragons: Becoming and Being a Unitarian Universalists Minister"  How does one become an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister? How can ministry be sustained and both ministers and congregations thrive? Rev. Dr. Kathy Ellis leads the service with worship associate Melissa Mattson.

June 23 - "Light, Love, and Connection: Tending the Garden of our Soul"   As we celebrate the Summer Solstice and the beauty of thriving plant life all around us, let's assess our role as gardener of our inner life. Cheryl Parsons leads the service.

June 30 - "Our Odyssey"  Come celebrate with us and hear UUCV history and reflections from congregates as to why UUCV is where they call home. Brent Dickerson leads the service.

Join us for in-person worship in our Sanctuary every Sunday at 10:30 am or on ZOOM. or “listen in” (without video) by telephone, by calling 646-876-9923 and entering Meeting ID 550 751 6685