From the Board President

Dear Church Family,

Many of you may be aware that this is my second “go-round” as your president of the Board of Trustees. This church is very important to me, and I wanted to be an active participant in the continued mission of our congregation. But I must tell you – the experience is much different from my first term. Allow me to explain…

During the time of my first tenure - we had no sanctuary or classrooms, we had less than 100 members, we only had one staff member (the extension minister), and everybody knew everybody. We were renting space for our worship, so we had no need to worry about “building and grounds”; and we were in the middle of a capital campaign to construct our current church facility. During this time our church organizational structure worked. This style of leadership was responsive to the needs of our congregation, due to the fact that essentially every decision came directly to the Board of Trustees. Now move forward to our present situation… we have a sanctuary which stays very busy all week long (including a preschool program during the day), our membership has ballooned, we have increased our staffing substantially, and our budget and financial affairs have become much more complex. We have a thriving satellite gathering in Salisbury, and have had to look at creative solutions to the good problem of not having enough seating capacity due to our growth. As a result of all of these aforementioned changes, I am finding that our leadership structure frequently struggles to meet the challenges of our current times. As our church has evolved over time, our organizational structure has tried to evolve in kind. Tweaking bylaws and making subtle adjustments has helped, but we continue to see that major changes are needed to unleash the potential of our talented congregation.

The Board of Trustees, joined by the co-chairs of the Salisbury Gathering Steering Committee, met recently for an all-day retreat to address this concern. We identified a number of problems with our current organizational structure. They included:

• Lack of clarity with regard to the leadership roles
• Lack of efficiency due to multiple layers of decision-making
• Unclear channels of communication
• Policies and procedures not clear and/or not followed
• Lack of empowerment for our volunteers due to a cumbersome structure

During our conversation, we recognized that these issues could often hamper productivity, frustrate well-intended volunteers, and discourage some from participating as a church leader. We also acknowledged that our current structure does not fully take advantage of our church staff.

Thanks to Karl Hesse, last year’s president, the Board has been discussing this issue for almost a year now. During this time, we have explored other styles of church organizational structure that would better fit our managerial needs and provide better clarity and efficiency. During our retreat in November, the Board unanimously endorsed the movement to adopt a structure called “Policy-styled Governance”. While we looked at various options, we chose the “Hotchkiss Model”, as it seemed to be the best fit for churches and other non-profits (as opposed to for-profit organizations). This model has a number of advantages over our current model:

• It clearly defines leadership roles and related policies.
• It empowers staff and lay-leaders to make the decisions related to those clearly defined roles.
• It distinguishes the “operation” of the church from the “ministry” of the church.
• It frees-up the Board to look more deeply into the “mission-work” of the church.

Needless to say – this undertaking will be lengthy, comprehensive, and encompassing. Rest assured that we will be seeking input from all congregants, and especially those individuals currently in leadership roles. This issue will definitely be on the next Business and Operations Council and Shared Ministry Team meetings, as we seek guidance as to what seems to be working well, and what areas we need to change to be the best we can be. You can look forward to more updates as we move forward. In the meantime, feel free to contact me directly if questions or suggestions come to mind. My email address is samtreadaway@gmail.com.

I am enthusiastic about this process. While it may take years to complete, the goal of empowering our talented leaders to better serve our church mission is exciting. I look forward to walking this journey alongside each of you as we craft a model of decision-making that untaps the true potential of our beloved church community.

Be well,

Sam Treadaway

From the Board President

You may have noticed from the minutes of the most recent Board of Trustees’ meeting that Piedmont has agreed to affiliate with Mary Frances Comer, who is entering preliminary fellowship as a Unitarian Universalist minister. We welcome this opportunity to play a part in the development of yet another individual willing to share the light, love, and compassion provided by the UU faith. We look forward to this enriching opportunity alongside Mary Frances, and welcome her considerable talents in our pulpit and in our programming. The following bio helps us get to know Mary Frances, and her journey to ministry, a bit better…

Mary Frances graduated with a M.Div. from the Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA, in 2012. She has also taken courses at Starr King School for the Ministry. For her field education, Mary Frances worked as a Pastoral Care Associate and discussion group facilitator for the Church of the Larger Fellowship (the online version of our denomination) for over a year. Her experience in ministry also includes six months of Clinical Pastoral Education spent as a chaplain at Carolina's Medical Center (a Level I Trauma Center) in Charlotte. Last year, she completed her internship at Eno River UU Fellowship in Durham, NC, where she was ordained in September of 2014.  Her work there was focused with the Justice Council. Her community ministry is with The Charlotte Spirituality Center where she is finishing up a two-year training as a spiritual director.  There, she offers spiritual direction and art programs (mini-retreats that connect creativity with spirituality). 

With a background in education (BS and MS), she has been teaching behavioral and social sciences for over 20 years.  Mary Frances also received a BA in Philosophy and Religion and a Masters in Liberal Arts with a concentration in sociology from Winthrop University where she later served as an adjunct faculty member.  She currently teaches at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte.  Her hobbies include painting, writing, and fossil hunting.  

Mary Frances has been a visiting preacher in six congregations over the last five years and looks forward to sharing in the ministry of Piedmont UU Church.  Look for her in the pulpit in 2015; stay tuned for an art-based spirit nourishing workshop; and feel free to discuss fossils with her anytime!  

Please join me in welcoming Mary Frances to our Piedmont family.

Sam Treadaway

President, Board of Trustees

Then and Now

Beginning July 1^st, it is my privilege to serve as the president of your Board of Trustees.  This is my second go-around.  I previously served as president for a couple of years in the mid-90’s.  Much has changed since then… our membership has more than doubled, our campus has increased substantially, we have grown from one to two gatherings where we hold three services each Sunday, we have a sanctuary and classrooms for religious education, we are fortunate to have a terrific staff that supports the mission of our church, and we are equally fortunate to have Justin as our assistant minister.  And then there is Reverend Robin, who inspires us, and challenges us, each Sunday.

Yes - much has changed over the past twenty years.  But I am reminded of what has never changed.  Piedmont has always been a church that has intentionally reached out to our entire region.  That intentionality resulted in the founding of our Salisbury Gathering.  We have always been an inclusive lot.  That spirit has led to us being recognized as a “Welcoming Congregation”.  We have always believed that good faith results in good works.  That belief has resulted in countless social justice initiatives, spearheaded by our Social Justice Council.  We have always pointed-out areas of injustice and inequality, no matter how inconvenient that truth might be.  That temperament has guided us repeatedly as we “stand on the side of love”.

I am excited.  Throughout the life of our beloved faith community, we have been seekers and strivers. Guided by your collective wisdom, passion, and energy – I know your leadership team will continue seeking and striving to hold up this proud tradition. 

It’s going to be a great year!

Sam Treadaway

samtreadaway@gmail.com

From the President

As I write this June letter to us, the congregation of Piedmont UU Church, it is still spring.

Margaret Atwood said “In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt”. What did she mean by that? Well maybe she just meant that we should dig in and till, plant and weed our garden. You may have noticed the boxes behind the Meeting House and in those boxes some of us and some others will be digging and planting and weeding. We hope that some of the seeds that we plant will thrive.

On a more abstract level, we have been digging and tilling our collective thoughts for more than a year to plan our vision for the future. We have been digging in what I call brainstorming sessions. We have created the Vision 20/20 team who have been tilling in that abstract plot to prepare a fertile seed bed for the steps that we will be planting in the next 5 to 7 years as our Piedmont UU Church grows.

Just like in a physical garden, our steps have a season for planting and harvest. The operational plan developed from your inputs as we dug through our thoughts for the future tell us and our committees and counsels when to plant each step and when to enjoy the fruits of our work. Now, the plans of mice and men are not always followed. How can we till when the ground is too wet? We may have to wait a few days. Maybe a few of the seeds do not germinate. We may have to plant a later variety of lettuce or tomato. Likewise I can foresee a few setbacks as we implement our operational plan but that does not mean that we quit.  We just adapt and carry on as a loving church family tending our garden to nourish both ourselves and the wider community.

With this last monthly letter from me, your president, I wish us all happy gardening. 

Karl

Do good deeds anyway!

The theme for May is Transformation: Rev. Robin explains that “we don’t expect or insist upon a drastic transformation like the conversion experiences that are hallmarks for many other faith traditions.  But we uphold the free and responsible search alongside the hope of spiritual growth for us all.  How can we nurture this gradual transformation in our lives and keep all of us accountable to our spiritual paths?”

I say keep patiently working at it.

Robin is speaking of spiritual transformation. I see similar transformations being made all around me by many people doing good deeds that slowly transform the world for the better. This week, I started reading a book from our meeting house bookshelf entitled “Do It Anyway”

In 1939 when my Dad planted 6 inch tall cedars for a windbreak, the neighbors laughed and said “you will never live long enough to sit in the shade of those trees”. He planted them anyway. When Piedmont UU Church members campaigned against Amendment One, success was not assured but we did it anyway. Contributions made by charter members to Piedmont UU Church have taken 25 years to transform us into the church we are today. Now, many of us are sharing our talents and treasure to continue the transformations, often without fanfare and sometimes facing criticism, but we do it anyway.

In our current world, if a profit cannot be extracted or success achieved in the first few years, people say an investment is not worth it. Often those who do invest their time and money to change our society, our laws and our environment are ignored and laughed at. We do it anyway. Let us all keep transforming ourselves and our world by doing good anyway. Thank you all for the good that you do!

Karl

I tried knitting once.

I tried knitting once.  Mom helped me by casting on the first row.

Krista Tippett’s guest on February 16th was Ann Hamilton who teaches art at Ohio State University.  She recalled sitting with her Grandmother who would read to her while Ann was knitting.  Ann spoke of the tactile sensation of another’s voice while the knitted medium of her own handiwork was accreting under her hands (like the slow building of land in the bend of flowing water).  Music touches me that way, as does the sound of Robin’s voice as she leads us in meditation.  I never did finish that scarf.  I think that Mom raveled it to make a woolen sock.

Much of what we experience is similar to knitting or crocheting.  It is the small things in life that accumulate to become the whole fabric of our life and experience.  Each small loop, each knit and purl across a row, each row after row and soon we have a scarf.  In the same way, the contribution of time, of talent and treasure by each of us, all connected together creates the warm rainbow security blanket for our church family.  It keeps the lights on and it keeps the voice of Reverend Robin reaching out to touch one and all .

Canvas time is here again and this year I used the Piedmont UU Church website to submit our family pledge.  It was simple and easy to use.  It feels good to know that my contribution along with yours is making a difference.  Many of us are on fixed incomes or limited salaries.  However even smaller pledges add up when given by many of us.  Simply go to www.puuc.org and click on the “give” tab to access the 2014-2015 pledge form.  Fill it out and press “Submit”.

Happy Knitting to all, 
Karl

Last month we searched for our passion.

Last month we searched for our passion.

Some of us couldn’t find it.  Some of us have fun hobbies.  I like Fordson tractors but I can’t say it is a passion.  Some of us have great ideas and we work hard to make them happen.  Others are lucky enough to really enjoy our jobs.  Then the rest of us just try our best to serve others and make the world a better place.  Many of us do that with the help and support of our Piedmont UU Church family.  Our Board members always try to keep up with all of the good things that happen at Piedmont UU Church.  They usually are able to thank those who do the work and find ways to support at least some of the great ideas.  There are times however when we on the Board do not become aware of the hours of planning, the extra pledge, or the skillful task that has been completed, often completed many times without fanfare.  That reminds me of the sign on the wall at Linney’s Mill.  It says that “Doing a good job is kinda like wetting in a dark pair of pants. . . You get a warm feeling but nobody notices."

February’s theme is forgiveness.  We on the Board hope that you will be able to forgive us for not noticing sometimes or for taking some of your work for granted.

I hope that you-all enjoy groundhogs day and that you have a fulfilling February.

In your service, 
Karl

P.S.  I think that I have finally found my passion.  It is our Piedmont UU Church family.

Have You Ever?

Have you ever read an article that spoke to you but now you have forgotten where you read it?  That has happened to me.  The article probably was in an issue of our UUA magazine, something I saw on the internet or in a book that we have read in one of our small group ministries.

Regardless of where it appeared, the essence of the article asked whether we need fear of the devil and hell in order to retain good morals and behavior.  The author postulated that our need to form alliances and groups to survive during our long evolution and our learning from family and teachers are what really moderate our behavior and keep us civilized.  I agree.  It is for that reason that I am resolving in this new year to increase my support of Piedmont UU Church which provides resources for our RE program and our minister Robin Tanner.  The adult RE class called “Age-ing to Sage-ing” has just started.

Your Board is also active in keeping Piedmont UU Church strong by its recent decisions.  We have reached out to a wider community by accepting the Piedmont Progressive Preschool as a sponsored group under our bylaws.  They teach children the same principles and morals that are the foundation of Unitarian Universalism.  The Board is in the process of reviewing the policies under which your church operates.  We have created a Healthy Congregation Team to help us remain united as we grow and make important decisions for our future.  We have welcomed Justin Martin who is our new Director of Religious Education and Pastoral Care Minister.  Have you noticed how many more youth are seen in the halls and on the grounds since he came to us?  

Another thing that will make 2014 a great year is the creativity and responsibility that all of the councils and committees have undertaken as we grow in numbers and budget.  As we get bigger, it will be impossible for the Board to make the many day to day decisions that are required to keep Piedmont UU Church running smoothly.  The Board will retain final responsibility by way of the budget and the policies that guide the work of councils and committees.  As currently organized, the Business and Operations Council and the Program Council are the paths through which the Board fulfills its responsibility for oversight.

In summary, I know that 2014 will bring challenges and opportunities but with your help, we are ready to turn them into progress. 

Happy New Year to you-all and may you and Piedmont UU Church have a fruitful and healthy 2014.

Serving you as your Board president,   

Karl Hesse

Have you ever traveled with friends?

Dear fellow travelers,

Have you ever joined with friends to go on an automobile trip, to hike in a forest, to visit a museum?  Most of us have traveled with friends to do these things.  Such travel is a lot like our journey together at Piedmont UU Church.  We share the costs, the joy and the inspiration as we learn, work together and help others along the way.

Back in 1959 my friend and I took a long trip to the west coast and back.  My friend was in a car wreck and when he received an insurance settlement, he had bought a new 1957 Plymouth.  We struck out on US highway 14 from Minnesota with an army surplus tent, a folding shovel, a gasoline camp stove and a cooler in the trunk.  We covenanted to share expenses including the camping stuff.  We were frugal just like we are at Piedmont UU Church.  We even changed our oil along a dirt road.  I wouldn’t do that today.

Our horizon widened as neither of us had been west of Minnesota. 

We learned about 4 lane roads and medians in Idaho.  Around midnight we pitched our tent in a grove of pines near the highway.  Next morning we realized that we were camping in the median of an Interstate.  Highways that we had previously traveled had been national 2 lane roads.

We came home through Colorado and got close to nature.  We often just rolled out our sleeping bags under the stars.  I awoke one morning in the desert facing a little pack rat who had dragged all kinds of tin foil and bottle caps to the door of his burrow.  He was a junk collector, so he and I had something in common.

Similar to our longer term members at Piedmont UU Church, who built our buildings, my friend had already invested in a car but I had to share gas, oil and other expenses.  We did give rides to several hitch hikers and we did not ask them to pay.  

May your life journey be broadening, happy and educational.   May our church home nourish your spirit and inspire you to support Piedmont UU Church with a share of your time, treasure and talent as you travel with us and we learn together.

Karl

Have you ever joined with friends to go on a trip?

Have you ever joined with friends to go on a trip, to hike in a forest, to visit a museum. . etc.?

Most of us have and will join with friends to do these things. Krissa has just returned from such a trip with her husband. She expanded her horizons, visited old friends, learned new things and restored her spirit. Such are the benefits of travel on earth and actually also the travel through life.

It is more fun, more economical and more beneficial to journey with friends. That is why I have joined you-all at PUUC in my journey through life. The horizons of my experiences have expanded greatly by joining a Welcoming Congregation. I cannot say that I have visited old friends in PUUC because I had not known any of you before I joined back in 2009. Then again I have made a lot of older friends. Does that count? I clearly have learned many new things, some from Rev. Robin’s sermons, some from the small group Ethical Explorations and Chalice Circles and many from just being and working and laughing with you-all. PUUC is us and you have nurtured my spirit. I have participated in churches most of my life and always remained analytical and rarely found an emotional experience. At PUUC, I find myself with tears of joy. I have found a home here and my chores at my home are not a burden. They are not easy and they can cause me to sweat but like going on a hike in a rugged forest, the work is fun and rewarding when we travel together even if it sometimes is a struggle to keep up.

Karl

Year End Musings

So long, farewell, adios, arrivederci!

 In 4 days Karl Hesse will be your President, and I will become your Past President. 
During the next year, I hope to be able to work on our governance model and leadership development along with helping to direct our business operations. 

I hope that you too will consider using your talents to further our programs and operations.  Please consider joining a committee or council.

This has been an amazing year, one in which I learned things about church governance and about myself.  My spiritual journey continues in ways that I had not anticipated.  

I am looking forward to having Justin and his family join us.  Those of you who met him have had many nice things to say about him and his family.  I look forward to meeting Jessica, Caleb, and Andy.  I was sorry to have missed them while I was at General Assembly.

General Assembly news:  Jim Key, past president of the Southeast District was elected UUA Moderator.  Congratulations to him.

We voted on a statement of conscience regarding immigration.  I know we have done some work in this area.  We need to document it so that we can report back to the UUA on our actions and studies. 

We also voted 3 Actions of Immediate Witness:

    1. 28th Amendment:  Corporations are not people.
    2. Divestment from fossil fuels industry
    3. Condemn the racist mistreatment of young men of color by police

If you would like more information on these, please go to the UUA site, www.uua.org .
If you have not already done so, please go to the member page of Piedmont’s website and read the annual report.

So, Karl, over to you!

In Faith,
Lucy Neel
President, PUUC

Greetings from Karl Hesse

Greetings upon our new 2013-2014 church year.

At an earlier congregational meeting, you have conferred upon me the honor of serving you as your Board president for this 2013-2014 year.  Lucy, Lou, and all preceding presidents have laid the ground work that will make our new church year fun, full, and fascinating.

Of course, being president is not only a joy but it is also a concern.  Serendipity has a way of bringing us exciting new opportunities to be together as we serve each other and the wider world.  These opportunities often come in the form of problems and challenges and therefore can be a concern.  The recent Southern Region president’s convocation at the Mountain has given me courage to press forward.   There I learned that all of our sister congregations face similar, and in many cases more serious, concerns.

We have a dynamic minister, a balanced budget, and a loving, diverse and growing congregation.   We are so fortunate that I can hardly believe that we have come as far as we have since June of 2009 when Merna and I signed our Piedmont UU Church membership book and filled out our first pledge card.

Therefore I am looking forward to meeting our new challenges this coming church year.  Let us work together to turn them all into opportunities.

In your service, Karl Hesse