Summer is Here—and So Is Our Congregational Meeting!
May 23, 2025
Summer is Here—and So Is Our Congregational Meeting!
Dear UUCDC Community,
Our youth are leading the way! The Coming of Age (COA) youth offered a phenomenal service on May 18, reminding us that hope and wisdom are alive and well in the next generation. The YUUCKIs will lead worship on June 1 at 10 AM. As per our policy, services led by youth are not recorded and will only be available live, either in person or on Zoom.
Stick around after for cake in Fellowship Hall as we celebrate their accomplishments, then head into our Annual Congregational Meeting at 11:30 AM, both in the Sanctuary and on Zoom. We’re starting at 11:30 to give plenty of time for the celebration beforehand. Please pre-register if you can—it really helps, and we’ve streamlined the checkin process since our May 11 meeting.
At the meeting, we’ll elect new leaders and approve the 2025–2026 budget. The Board approved the final draft budget on May 2 after the Fund Drive was nearly complete. Since then, we’ve officially called Rev. Laura as our next settled minister (effective Aug 1), and final pledge numbers and expense updates are in. We will be amending the budget at the Congregational meeting to account for the final values of the Fund Drive and more accurate moving expenses for Rev. Laura.
Proxy voting is now available under our new bylaws. Contact Megan to request a proxy ballot. Keep in mind, proxy votes apply only to unamended items—you must be present to vote on any changes made during the meeting. This means that since we know that we will be amending the budget at the meeting, all proxy votes will be recorded as abstentions on the budget.
On June 8, We will have an All-Congregation Picnic. The YUUCKIS will prepare burgers, veggie burgers, and hot dogs with all the fixin’s. The Board will supply desserts. We ask folks to bring a variety of sides to share.
On June 15, we’ll honor Rev. Ed’s incredible contributions to our congregation. His leadership helped us clarify our needs and values, setting the stage for a successful search and a strong beginning with Rev. Laura.
In Summary:
- May 25: Memorial Day Service
- June 1: YUUCKI Service (10 AM) & Congregational Meeting (11:30 AM)
- June 8: Congregational Picnic (after worship, potluck side dishes)
- June 15: Rev. Ed’s Final Service (10 AM) & Farewell Celebration (11 AM)
In August:
We joyfully welcome Rev. Laura in August and begin the sacred work of building a collaborative, thriving ministry together.
Thank you for being part of this exciting chapter at UUCDC. The future is bright, and we’re ready to move forward with energy and hope.
With joy and anticipation,
Marylin Huff, Board President
On behalf of the Board of the Unitarian Universalists of Delaware County
May 13, 2025
It’s Official – Welcome Rev. Laura!
Dear UUCDC Community,
It’s official—congratulations! We have joyfully and unanimously called Rev. Laura to be our next Settled Minister. Her ministry with us will officially begin on August 1, and we couldn’t be more thrilled for what lies ahead.
If you missed either of the services Rev. Laura led during candidating week, you can still watch them on our Website or directly on YouTube. Be sure to also check out the wonderful Flickr Album with photos from events throughout the week!
Voting Highlights
We currently have 220 voting members in our congregation. At Sunday’s congregational meeting, 160 members participated (134 in person, 26 on Zoom)—and the final vote was unanimously in favor of calling Rev. Laura. This is a remarkable milestone in the life of our congregation, and we are filled with hope and excitement for the journey ahead.
Immense Gratitude to Our Search Committee
We offer heartfelt thanks to our extraordinary Ministerial Search Committee: Marva, Penny, Sharon, Craig, Lisa, Melissa, Derrick, and Anne. Their work has been transformational. From early discernment to the vote and celebration, they brought wisdom, care, and steadfast dedication to every step of the process. Their efforts have created a strong foundation on which Rev. Laura’s ministry—and our shared future—can flourish. The impact of their work will resonate for years to come.
What Comes Next
Now it’s our turn. As a congregation, we will joyfully welcome Rev. Laura in August and begin the sacred work of building a vibrant and collaborative ministry together.
Upcoming Events – Mark Your Calendar!
- May 18: Coming of Age Service
- May 25: Memorial Day Service
- June 1: YUUCKI Service & Annual Congregational Meeting (yes, another one—this time to elect leaders and approve the budget!)
- June 8: Congregational Picnic after Worship
- June 15: Rev. Ed’s Final Service & Farewell Celebration
These are exciting, transformative times at UUCDC. Thank you to everyone who participated in this incredible journey. The future is bright, and we are ready to step forward together.
With joy and anticipation,
Marylin Huff, Board President
On behalf of the Board of the Unitarian Universalists of Delaware County
May 5, 2025
Decision Time – Let’s Show Up!
Many of you witnessed Rev. Laura’s powerful message of risk and love during the May 4 service. It was inspiring! If you missed it, you can watch her sermon or the full service on our website or directly on YouTube.
There are still plenty of chances to connect with her this week—check the Candidating Week Schedule. These events help her get to know us, too!
Rev. Laura will lead worship again on Sunday, May 11 at 10 AM (in person or online). Immediately after, we’ll hold a brief Congregational Meeting to vote on calling her as our next settled minister. This is a meaningful, community-defining moment—we hope everyone can be there.
Yes, May 11 falls on Mother’s Day. Unfortunately, due to a very late Easter this year, UUA guidelines, and UUCDC’s calendar constraints, this was the only viable date available. The meeting will be brief, and members will have the option to vote either in person or via Zoom. Please register here.
Who can attend? Everyone, except Rev. Laura
Who can vote? UUCDC members only
Voting Logistics – Please Read Carefully
According to our bylaws:
- Voting by proxy is not allowed for the call of a Minister.
- You must vote either in person or via Zoom.
- All voting will be by secret ballot.
For In-Person Attendees:
- You will receive a paper ballot when you check in.
- When the vote is called, simply circle “YES” or “NO” and submit your ballot.
For Zoom Participants:
- When it’s time to vote, non-members watching on Zoom will be temporarily moved to a breakout room.
- An anonymous poll will then be launched for members only.
- Important: Each voting member must be logged into Zoom on their own device for their vote to be counted.
- Once the Zoom poll is completed, non-members will be brought back into the main Zoom room to continue viewing the meeting.
While the Board and Search Team count the votes, we’ll do our best to keep things light and engaging. There may be music, we encourage dancing. The results will be announced shortly thereafter.
Bonus opportunity: CarFit is coming on May 8 from 9 AM – 12 PM! This is a great opportunity to maximize your safety in your car. Contact Lynda Lemisch to set up an appointment.
These are exciting, transformative times. Let’s show up with open hearts and joyful energy.
With joy and anticipation,
Marylin Huff, Board President
On behalf of the Board of the Unitarian Universalists of Delaware County
April 25, 2025
Candidating week is upon us!
We’re thrilled to welcome Rev. Dr. Laura Solomon this May as our candidate for ministry! This is a powerful moment for our congregation.
Join us May 4 at 9:30 or 11:15 AM—online or in person—as Rev. Laura kicks off Candidating Week leading our services. Let’s greet her with energy and warmth! Be sure to join events throughout the week—Candidating Week Schedule.
On May 11 at 10 AM (online or in person), Rev. Laura will lead one service. Following this service the Board will convene a brief Congregational Meeting to vote on calling her as our next settled minister. This is a sacred decision—we need a super-quorum and strong, united support.
Note: May 11 is also Mother’s Day. If you celebrate, please plan around this vital vote—perhaps a late lunch or dinner?
All are welcome to attend the meeting (in person or online), but only members may vote. Register here.
What the vote is about:
- Whether the congregation affirms the comprehensive, inclusive, collaborative, transparent process which was used to find the candidate
- Whether the congregation was heard by the search team
- Whether the congregation was represented accurately by the search team
- Whether the congregation believes the search team saw the gifts of ministry which the congregation needs in the candidate
- Whether the congregation is willing to move into a shared ministry partnership with the candidate whom the search team identified as a good match for the congregation’s needs
- What is best for the whole congregation
What it’s not about:
- Whether individuals think they would have chosen the candidate who was identified by the search team on their own, given what they know about the congregation
- Whether individuals think, based on two sermons, that every sermon the candidate preaches will or will not speak perfectly to the hearts and minds of every single member every single time
- Whether there might be a better match out there somewhere
- Whether the candidate is the perfect minister. Ministers come with different skills in worship arts, pastoral care, administrative/organizational work, and social witness presence. No minister will have a high level of skill or interest in ALL of those elements of the ministry. The shared ministry of the congregation will and should shift with the skills and interests of the new minister.
- What is best for a particular individual within the congregation
These are exciting times. Let’s show up with open hearts and joyful energy!
In anticipation,
Marylin Huff, Board President
On behalf of the Board of the Unitarian Universalists of Delaware County
3/28/25
There is so much happening at UUCDC right now—exciting times ahead!
The biggest news? Our search for our next settled minister is in the home stretch! The search team is hard at work scheduling meetings for Candidating Week, happening May 4-11. Mark your calendars—you won’t want to miss this! Our ministerial candidate will lead services on May 4 and May 11, and we encourage everyone to join, either in person or online.
Key Dates:
- May 4: Two services (9:30 in-person and virtual, 11:15 in-person)
- May 11: One service at 10 AM (in-person and virtual), followed by a brief congregational meeting at 11 AM (in-person and virtual) to vote on calling our next minister. The meeting should be less than 30 minutes long.
Calling a minister is the most significant decision we make as a congregation. We need a super-quorum for this vote and to show our enthusiastic support of the candidate—so let’s show up and make our voices heard!
May 11 is also Mother’s Day! If you celebrate Mother’s Day, plan ahead and schedule your events at a time that lets you attend this vote. A late lunch or dinner might be a good idea.
Spring Auction Success!
Our Spring Auction on March 15 was a huge success, raising over $25,000! Thanks to everyone who donated, attended, and purchased items!
Kitchen Fundraising Update
While our Faithify Fundraising Campaign (which ended March 27) didn’t hit its all-or-nothing goal, our dream of a new kitchen is still alive! With rising construction and appliance costs, the board has made the difficult decision to pause the project until costs stabilize. We are committed to being good stewards of our resources, and while this delay is disappointing, we remain excited for the future. In the meantime, we will continue embracing our “church of the crockpot” spirit—finding creative ways to come together in community.
For those who pledged to the kitchen project, we encourage you to roll that amount into your 2025-2026 pledge or contribute directly to the capital campaign fund for future projects.
Annual Fund Drive – Let’s Go Big!
The 2025-2026 Annual Fund Drive kicks off in early April, and we’re aiming high with an aspirational budget requiring pledges totaling $450,000—a 10% increase over last year. If you haven’t signed up for a pledge party yet, now is the time!
Ending on a Bright Note!
Our solar panels are making a big impact. Since going live, they’ve generated an average of 130 kWh/day of clean, renewable energy. This is more than our current average daily use. This is a huge win for our values of sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Here’s to an exciting, bright future ahead!
Marylin Huff, Board President
On behalf of the Board of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County
2/22/25
A Winter of Bold Plans and Bright Futures!
March is shaping up to be an incredible month—so much to look forward to!
Tuesday, March 4: PennEnvironment’s Solar Church Tour is coming to UUCDC! How amazing that our congregation is leading the way in sustainability. Huge thanks to Don and Berrie for making this happen—your dedication shines as brightly as the sun on our solar panels!
Saturday, March 15: It’s time for our UUCDC AUUCTION! Get ready for a spectacular evening of fun, community, and fantastic finds. This is the event you don’t want to miss! A huge shout out to Mary and the rest of the Auction planning team!
March 27: The final day to support our Faithify Fundraising Campaign for the kitchen project—let’s make it happen!
This Spring and Summer, UUCDC is stepping into comfort—fully air-conditioned at last. The lobby and Fellowship Hall just got their cool upgrade, making every gathering even more enjoyable.
Looking ahead: General Assembly is in Baltimore this June! Thinking about attending? Be sure to fill out the interest form—we’d love to see you there. We still need a couple of delegates.
Staying Safe & Connected: With so much happening in our world, our board is mindful of the increasing polarization in our communities. Your well-being matters—if you have concerns, please reach out to Rev. Ed, the Caring Committee, or the board. We’re here for you.
March is full of energy, excitement, and opportunities. Let’s make the most of it together!
Marylin Huff, Board President
on behalf of the Board of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County
1/29/25
New Year, New UU!
It’s an incredibly exciting time at UUCDC! At the congregational meeting earlier this week, we shared exciting updates about the capital projects this year.
- We have installed a solar array providing 33 kW of green power to our church and the grid.
- Air conditioning will be installed in the lobby and Fellowship Hall later this spring to adequately cool the entire building in warmer months.
- The lift will be replaced sometime this year, significantly improving our building’s accessibility.
- And, most excitedly, we’re nearing the final design for the kitchen!
With all this exciting progress, we’ve nearly depleted the funds from the capital campaign. But we’re not stopping here! We’re actively pursuing additional funding through a Chalice Lighter Grant for the lift project and a Faithify Fundraising Campaign for the Kitchen project. And here’s where we need your help.
Faithify is a UU crowdfunding platform, and your support will significantly impact the Kitchen project. By contributing, you’ll help us bring this vision to life. All donations are tax-deductible, and every contribution, big or small, brings us closer to our goal. You will not be charged until the campaign ends on March 27 if we successfully raise at least $40,000. This is an all-or-nothing campaign.
Please consider donating through this link, and if you’re able, share it with others who might be interested in supporting this momentous project. Together, we can make a lasting difference!
We’re also launching the exciting new Family Room Pilot Program! Since the kitchen will be built in the space currently occupied by the Nursery, we want to experiment with new ways to serve our childcare needs before construction begins while we still have a fully functional nursery. One idea we’re exploring is a Family Room where parents can stay with their young kids, watch the service, and let their kids enjoy toys that might be disruptive in the sanctuary. We’ll use the current Youth Room to experiment with this idea and set it up to livestream the service. We need folks to volunteer to take on this project and use their creativity to create a space that works best for you. Email the Family Room Team with your interest.
Celebrate Spring with us on March 15 at the UUCDC AUUCTION! Do you have an item or event to offer at the Auction? Keep an eye out for more information from the Auction team.
And don’t forget—General Assembly will be in Baltimore this June! If you’re thinking about attending, please complete this form.
There’s so much to look forward to! I’m thrilled to be on this journey with you!
Thank you so much for your generosity!!
Marylin Huff, Board President
on behalf of the Board of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County
12/23/2024
Happy Holidays, everyone!
We hope this season brings you joy, rest, and cherished moments with family and friends. As we celebrate, let’s take a moment to reflect on the amazing progress we’ve made together this year. From adopting new ByLaws to the installation of solar panels, 2024 has been a remarkable year of growth and achievement for our congregation!
Looking ahead, 2025 promises to be just as exciting. We’re gearing up for some major improvements, including air conditioning much of the rest of the building, replacing the lobby lift, and making an important decision about adding a kitchen to our main floor. These strides will continue to enhance our shared spaces and ministry.
And the biggest milestone of all? This summer, we will bid a heartfelt farewell to our phenomenal interim minister, Rev. Ed, and warmly welcome a new settled minister to lead us into the next chapter of our journey.
Curious about what the board has been working on? Check out the minutes from our Dec 16 meeting.
Missed a service? Don’t worry—our services are recorded and available online for you to watch anytime.
Here’s to a joyful holiday season and a bright year ahead!
Thanks for an excellent year!
Marylin Huff, Board President
on behalf of the Board of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County
Nov 26, 2024
Dear Friends,
Happy Thanksgiving! May this holiday bring joy as we gather with family and friends to celebrate and give thanks. Let us also reflect on the complex history of this day and its lasting impact on Native American communities. Together, we can honor the spirit of gratitude while deepening our commitment to reconciliation and understanding.
Our congregation has so much to be grateful for this year, and I’m thrilled to share the highlights with you:
- First and foremost, amazing news—Rev. Ed’s surgery was a success! He’s recovering at home and will be back in the pulpit December 8. What a blessing!
- Our solar array is up and running! We’re now harnessing the power of the sun for our building, and to top it off, the paperwork for our 30% rebate is underway. Exciting times for sustainability!
- Have you seen the new website? Don Sloat and Megan Grissom worked with a web designer and our website looks awesome!
- The kitchen renovation project is moving forward! The Capital Projects team and a dedicated group of UUCDC members have reviewed a preliminary design and sent it back for revisions. Stay tuned for updates as the design takes shape!
- The Youth Room transformation is beginning! It’s being reimagined as a “Family Room” to better serve our community. We’ll share more details as this project progresses.
Curious about what the board has been up to? Here’s a link to the minutes from our Nov 18 meeting.
Thank you for being such an integral part of our vibrant and caring community. Together, we’re building something truly special!
Wishing you a joyous and love-filled Thanksgiving!
With loads of gratitude for our amazing community,
Marylin Huff
Board President
Unitarian Universalists of Delaware County
October 29, 2024
Dear Friends,
Watch out for heavy equipment on our grounds! Solar installation kicks off this week and should be wrapped up before Thanksgiving!
Kitchen/Family Room: After multiple productive meetings, the board has approved hiring a design firm for professional drawings. We can’t wait to share these at our congregational meeting in January! Plus, we’re eager to transition our current Youth Room into a multipurpose “Family Room” ASAP. If you’d like to join the team making this happen, please reach out to the board!
Our Member Engagement meeting on Sunday was a fantastic success! If you couldn’t make it, don’t worry—we recorded it! And, please contact GTS or Rev. Ed if you’re interested in getting involved in new ways.
We understand that election week can bring some anxiety for many in our community. To support everyone, the Social Justice Council is organizing several events during that week for community and pastoral care. Be sure to check out Connections for all the details!
Curious about what the board has been up to? Here’s a link to the minutes from our Oct 21 meeting, where we continued updating our policies. You can find the complete list of our current policies here.
Thanks for being part of our vibrant community!
Warmly,
Marylin Huff
Board President
Unitarian Universalists of Delaware County
September 18, 2024
Dear Friends,
Wow, what a kickoff to our church year! We had a blast at the Ingathering Picnic, and it was amazing to see our church buzzing with energy as our religious education classes got underway!
Our church leadership just wrapped up a retreat where we dreamt big and set some super exciting goals for the year. We’re all about making it easier for you to get involved and ramping up our volunteer spirit!
Our ministerial search is rolling full steam ahead, and your input is key. If you haven’t filled out the search team’s survey yet, now’s the time—your thoughts matter!
And get ready for a bright future! Our solar installation is kicking off in a few weeks, so keep an eye out for those solar panels.
One of our big goals is to add a kitchen, which is a bit of a puzzle since it involves moving things around without a building expansion. We want to hear from you on the best way to make this happen. Join us for a Town Hall meeting on Sunday, September 22, to dive into the details and share your ideas. Since the kitchen will likely take over the nursery’s spot, we also need to dream up a new home for the nursery. We’ll be reaching out to gather your thoughts on the kitchen project in fun and creative ways this fall!
Save the date for our Community Participation event on Sunday, October 27, right after worship. It’s going to be a great chance to brainstorm how we can build an even stronger, more connected community!
On a more serious note, to keep everyone safe, we’re installing security cameras and tightening access to the building. If you lead a group and don’t yet have a key card, please contact the church administrator to get one. On Sundays, our friendly greeters will be at the doors to welcome you.
Thank you for bringing your energy and enthusiasm to our church. Together, we’re making it a vibrant and welcoming place for everyone!
With hope and love,
Marylin Huff
Board President
Unitarian Universalists of Delaware County
August 26, 2024
Dear Friends,
Welcome to the start of an exciting new church year! Please join us for our Annual Ingathering Service on Sunday, September 8, at 10 AM in our sanctuary, followed by a board-sponsored picnic on our grounds. As we embark on this fresh chapter, I’m thrilled about the remarkable strides we’re poised to make together.
First, our ministerial search is officially underway! We are excited to find a new spiritual leader who will inspire and guide us. Your support and engagement are crucial as we seek the perfect fit for our vibrant community. The search committee will reach out, and I encourage you to stay involved.
We’re also excited to announce that a solar panel array will be installed on our grounds in October! This green initiative underscores our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship while reducing utility costs. The solar panels will set the stage for an expanded air conditioning system, ensuring our spaces stay comfortable year-round. We will have a Town Hall between services on September 22 so folks can get more information about the work the Capital Projects team has been doing over the summer.
As we look ahead, there’s a palpable sense of hope and optimism. These developments—the ministerial search, solar panels, and improved air conditioning—reflect our collective spirit and bright future. We’re moving forward with renewed energy and a deep sense of purpose.
Thank you for being an integral part of this journey. Your faith, dedication, and enthusiasm make our community truly special. Here’s to a year of growth, inspiration, and enduring hope. Let’s make it one of our best yet!
With heartfelt joy and anticipation,
Marylin Huff
Board President
Unitarian Universalists of Delaware County
Aug 19, 2024 Board Meeting Minutes
