Karen Nowicki, Board President

 

I am honored today to be addressing you as your UUCCH Board President. This morning, I want to share with you the Annual Vision of Ministry or AVOM for short and the Board Goals that were voted on at our August 19th meeting. These represent not just tasks on a to-do list, but our shared commitment to systemic growth, development, and to living out what you told us was most important through our open-question listening circles back in February 2025.

 

Last year was the first time the Board experimented with setting an Annual Vision of Ministry. Reverend Eric often calls these his marching orders but they are priorities that guide the ministry side of the congregation while allowing the Board to stay focused on governance and strategy.

 

Our goals last year were: to build a strong foundation between Reverend Eric and the congregation, facilitating key infrastructure upgrades, and helping our congregation stretch into a larger interfaith presence in the wider community.

 

Looking back, we did move forward on each of these. We built a foundation with Reverend Eric as he began his ministry with us. We made critical upgrades to the kitchen appliances, elevator software, even an unexpected boiler replacement. And perhaps most importantly, our interfaith relationships deepened. Kol Ami graciously opened their sanctuary to us during our time of need, a profound reminder of what true interfaith partnership can look like.

 

These outcomes remind us of a simple truth: when we invest in both our systems and our relationships, we grow stronger as a congregation.

 

At this year’s Board Retreat, we set three Annual Vision of Ministry goals with Reverend Eric for the year ahead:

 

First, increase our visibility in the wider community by hosting or attending 5–6 community events.  Expanding our presence invites others to connect with UUCCH’s values in public and visible ways. 

 

Second, expand adult lifelong faith engagement.  Since the pandemic, our children and youth programs have rightly been prioritized. But now it’s also time to nourish adults with opportunities for spiritual growth, transformation, and connection.

 

And lastly, broaden and deepen our social justice outreach in alignment with our mission and values.  Many of you told us that living our values in the community through advocacy and justice is central to who we are. This year, we are committing to take that call deeper. 

 

In addition to the AVOM, the Board is also setting its own governance and strategic goals. These are systemic priorities that will help keep UUCCH sustainable, resilient, and vibrant for the long haul.

 

First, we want to strengthen working relationships with our advisory committees.  Our four committees, HR, Infrastructure, Governance, and Finance, are key partners in carrying out strategic responsibilities. Together, we are clarifying roles and responsibilities so that each committee can provide strong, reliable guidance.

 

Second, build stronger relationships with staff.  That means appreciation, open communication, and working toward appropriate compensation. Staff are the backbone of our ministry, yet historically their efforts have not always been fully acknowledged until someone leaves. This year we want to shift that narrative: to show appreciation now, to support healthy boundaries, and compensate in line with UUA Fair Compensation Guidelines.

 

And third, support the creation of procedural manuals for key church processes.  Too much of our institutional knowledge currently lives only in people’s heads. By capturing that wisdom in writing, we ensure continuity, reduce burnout, and make it possible for volunteers to rest without fear their work will fall apart. This is about sustainability, stability, and honoring all who serve here.

 

All of these goals, both ministry and governance are connected by a single thread: creating a church that is bountiful, resilient, and transformational.

 

At the heart of all this work is love.

 

Our ministry goals direct love outward through community visibility, justice, and adult spiritual growth. Our board goals direct love inward through relationships, communication, and healthy governance. Together they create balance, a cycle of giving and receiving that sustains us all.

 

The six values we are guided by are Justice, Equity, Transformation, Pluralism, Interdependence, and Generosity, yes, all hail JETPIG, are alive in these goals.

 

Justice and Interdependence stand out most clearly in our commitment to broaden social justice outreach while also strengthening our web of relationships with advisory committees, staff, and community partners. We are recognizing that none of us do this work alone.

 

Generosity and Equity are visible in how we commit to staff appreciation and appropriate compensation, making sure that resources are shared fairly and that staff feel valued not only financially but also in spirit.

 

Transformation is embedded in adult learning opportunities, where spiritual growth can change lives, and in the governance structures we’re building, which will transform how the church sustains itself for the future.

 

Pluralism shines through our outreach and inclusive spirit: showing up in interfaith spaces, welcoming diverse voices in our adult programming, and extending UUCCH’s message of love and justice beyond our walls.

 

These values are not just words; they are a compass pointing us in the direction we want to go.

 

And finally, we remember that Fierce Love that Jennie reflected back to us in March.

 

The justice and community engagement goals honor that fierce, outward-reaching energy. Meanwhile, the board’s inward-facing goals ensure we have a strong, safe, and sustainable base from which that fierceness can grow.

 

This is how we will live our mission together: fierce love at the center, values guiding us, transformational work in the present, and sustainable practices for the future of UUCCH.

 

If you would like to hear more, join us for the board policy forum on October 12, 2025 around noon. Thank you.