Tuesday, December 23, 9 a.m. is the deadline for the last 2025 issue of the Gateway

From Cynthia Setel:

Saturday & Sunday, December 20 & 21, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center

Planning for next year’s budget has begun. On December 4, your Finance, Stewardship and Transition teams gathered with the Board, ministers and Interim Executive for Finance & Operations to strategize for the 2026–27 budget and fundraising efforts. One important goal is to communicate clearly with YOU—the congregation—about UUC money matters. In the coming year, we anticipate the search and selection of a new minister, exciting new efforts to help members support one another, continued spiritual growth, and ongoing development of bridges with the greater community. All in all, we want our budget to help ensure that UUC holds strong as a much-needed refuge of comfort and connection for everyone. At this joint meeting, we had an opportunity to look at our current state of our finances, operations, and systems. The 17 volunteer-congregants and 3 staff leaders who participated began exploring: UUC financial status, tools and resources—all positive! Expenses planning, both known and unexpected Capital needs planning Budget development and annual pledge campaign Communication with the congregation All in all, this was a great first step in bringing together key UUC teams as we plan how to respond financially to the future, on your behalf. We are all stewards of UUC’s resources. Remember: the pledge drive for the FY27 budget is in March. Questions? Kathleen Cromp can provide more insight. Board of Trustees Hugh Kimball, President Lora Poepping, Vice President Alison McCormick, Secretary Michael Kasprzak, Treasurer Nicholas Eddington Becca Hutcheson Sooraj Kuttykrishnan Finance Committee Rick Johnson, Chair Kevin Clark Doug Graesser Michael Kasprzak Jim Thompson Stewardship Committee Kathleen Cromp, Team Lead Michelle Breaux Sallie Dacey Nathan Goodman Doug Graesser Jan Hood Kathryn Ramos Katie Renschler Joplin Vaughan Leila Zelnick Sooraj Kuttykrishnan, Board Liaison Executive Staff Team Members Rev. Doug Wadkins Rev. Victoria Poling Cynthia Setel Transition Team Eileen Bianamara Rich Brooks Kathleen Cromp Liz Esbenshade Michael Linenberger Alison Mehravari Dave Mentz Maddie Smith

Sunday, December 14, 1:00–2:30 p.m. in Knatvold Join us for our monthly gathering from 1:00 to 2:30 (at the latest) to find out what's happening, and learn about opportunities to help. If you have childcare needs or agenda items you'd like to add, please contact a group leader. The Pink Haven Coalition is a national coalition responding to the baseless and severe discrimination against trans and non-binary individuals in red states who need assistance in moving to blue states. Our UUC group is part of this effort, in partnership with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, to create a welcome network for trans/non-binary individuals and their families who are fleeing their homes in order to live freer lives and, if needed, to obtain gender affirming care.