Here is a list of links to the annual reports of my activities at Albany UU. The list also has highlights to be found in those reports listed.
- COVID “ending”
- Internship of Jacob King
- Congregational Life Coordinator
- Web Redesign
- Hire of new RE Director and Music Director
- Resignation of Administrator
- Continuing COVID Pandemic
- Multi-platform Services and Events
- Religious Education Director retirement / interim
- Two months of sabbatical time in February and March
- Governance Reform
- COVID continues, congregation closed, Zoom services
- Beginning of “Ministry and Operations” Team
- Governance Reform
- Beginning of “New York UU Justice” Statewide Action Network (replacing Interfaith Impact)
- Racial Healing Class based on work of Anniliese Singh
- Running for the UUA Board (won with over 80% of the vote)
- Music Director resignation, members serve as interim
- Dan Miyake Internship
- Beginning of COVID lock-down
- Community Hall Sound System – Continuing Improvements
- Hudson Mohawk UU Cluster – Paua Cole Jones joint service … on Zoom!
- Trip to Australia and New Zealand with Philomena (bucket list trip for her)
- New Church Administrator – Tammy Hathaway
- New Community Hall Sound System
- Trip to Montgomery, Alabama to see Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum & National Memorial for Peace and Justice
- Governance Working Group charged by Board to revise our system
- Celebration of our 175th Anniversary
- Internship of Eileen Casey Campbell
- Congregational focus on Dismantling White Supremacy Culture
- Renaming Emerson Community Hall to Community Hall
- Medical Aid in Dying for New York State
- Hosted New York State Convention of Universalists
- Hiring new Music Director
- Change Your Mind Day – diverse mindfulness fair of activity in the Capital Region
- Partner Church visit to Szökefalva in Transylvania
- Election of Donald Trump and resignation of UUA President Peter Morales
- Congregational support of the Women’s March on Washington
- Focus on Sanctuary for Immigrants
- Dismantling White Supremacy work
- Playground fundraising and construction for Sheridan Preparatory Academy
- Resignation of long-term music director
- Growth Through Service (special video & database created)
- Continuation of Black Lives Matter work
- White Privilege Study Group
- Michael Brown’s murder & Black Lives Matter
- Ice Bucket Challenge
- 50th Anniversary of Selma with big public event at “the Egg”
- Bringing back “Growth Through Service” from GA
- Stephen Batchelor, vision of Humanistic Buddhism
- Initiation of Meaning Matters (adaptation of Soul Matters)
- Coordination of Sunday Service & Meaning Matters for “theme for the month” with RE coordination
- Mission statement revision
- Participation in UU program “Fulfilling the Call”
- Congregational Consultation with Thandeka
- Cluster training & participation in Mark Hicks’ Beloved Conversations program
- Attendance Beth Zemski’s presentation of “Intercultural Competency” at UU Allies for Racial Equity meeting in Rockford, Illinois
- Mentor & Teaching Pastor for Viola Abbitt while at Meadville Lombard Seminary
- Sharon Salzberg presentation for Organizing Mindfulness at Albany UU
- Innovation in sermon presentation
- Occupy movement in the fall
- Stopping Hydrofracking in New York
- Presentation on Transition Network
- Failure of “Two Rivers Congregation” & internship attempt to lead it
- First Sharon Salzberg event with 300 people in attendance!
- Creating of “Organizing Mindfulness”
- Veteran Ministry – “spiritual resources” program for VA Hospital in Albany & participation in “Stand Down” event
- Ordination Service of Chris Antal
- Beginning of our Pastoral Care Associates program
- Beginning of “Theme of the Month” preaching
- Creation of (short lived) Worship Cabinet
- Beginning of the Wellspring program for spiritual deepening
- Minister’s Lunch
- Launching of the Two Rivers Congregation by our UU Cluster
- War Healing Ministry (follow-up to Chris Antal Internship)
- Internship of Chris Antal working on military chaplaincy
- War Healing Ministry initiated by Antal
- UU Cluster $25,000 Advertising Campaign, “Shout it out!”
- Passage of Strategic Plan
- End of ARISE
- Congregational training on Nonviolent Communication
- Building the World We Dream About class (Jacqui Williams & Chris Antal)
- UU Student group at RPI
- Beginning of Theme Based Ministry effort (out of Strategic Plan)
- Initiation of “Dream Catchers” visioning work
- First joint UU Cluster service in Saratoga Springs with 600+ in attendance
- Safe Congregation controversy
- Conclusion of service as UUMA Chapter President
- Week long training in Nonviolent Communication with Philomena
- Peace Pole planting
- Homemade card ministry
- Completion & dedication of building expansion
- New Religious Education Director & “lifespan education”
- from 2 to 1 Sunday Service 52 weeks a year
- Mindfulness Meditation added before Sunday Service
- Visit to our Partner Church in Szőkefalva, Romania
- Participation in UU Leadership Team Institute (UULTI)
- Building expansion work
- Congregational priorities: hospitality, excellence, social action
- Bringing sabbatical learnings home
- Blogging for the Times Union newspaper
- Limiting work with ARISE
- “UU Metro” Cluster visioning work
- Six month sabbatical (see videos)
- Final architectural plans, contractor selected, final funds raised, breaking ground
- Becky Gunn Internship
- Capital Campaign raises $1.4 million
- Recognition and Awards for Same Sex Weddings in March 2004
- My presentation of Josephine Gould Discourse in Niagara Falls, NY
- First Convocation of UU Buddhist Fellowship in Garrison, New York
- Same Sex Marriage – first in Albany – March 2004 (see videos)
- Ordination of Lynn Ashley
- Potluck Thanksgiving Dinner hosted by the minister
- “language of reverence” workshop with David Bumbaugh
- Service as Chair of ARISE Clergy Caucus
- Working with capital campaign fundraising consultants & architects
- Architectural vision: “Beacon of Light”
- Term as ARISE President ends (lots of Gamaliel activity)
- Revitalization of Washington Square Neighborhood Association
- Partnership with U Albany School of Social Work
- September 11, 2001, special service that Friday and opening the congregation on the 11 for people to come and sit
- ARISE organizing and work as President
- Issues Convention to pick focus on youth, education and employment
- First Public Meeting of ARISE with 1000 people (117 from Albany UU)
- UU Cluster training and start of Small Group Ministry
- Appointment to UUMA CENTER committee (continuing education)
- Continue to build trust in minister/ministry
- Caring Network revitalization
- New UU Haggadah & Exodus Playlet for children
- Soulful Sundown Service started
- Host Dances of Universal Peace
- Gamaliel Community Organizing Training in Buffalo
- Elected President of A Regional Initiative Supporting Empowerment (ARISE)
- Start-up seminar with consultants from Florida
- Congregational Commitment to facilities improvement/building expansion
- Focus on getting to know congregational systems & committees