First Unitarian Universalist
Church of Detroit

Today I am reflecting on the voices that speak up and those that stay silent, or speak only in secret places. This is my heavy-handed reminder to participate in the Appreciative Inquiry process! Results from the first twenty or so interviews are on my desk. Many of us have been listening and collecting the thoughts you share with us. This is so much more than a simple survey, it is the basis for a congregation-wide conversation about our reason for being. That is not an exaggeration – there is not yet a clear answer to the questions, “What do you do here?” and “Why does this congregation matter to the world?” I trust that there are clear and honest answers somewhere, and I believe this process will guide us to those answers.

In early March we will have an open meeting to present the results of these interviews. That means the interviews need to be substantially completed by then. (If my days here were not of such small number, we would take more time for this, but why wait?) Your voice matters to me, to others at church, and possibly to the world. It starts with the half hour you set aside to engage in an interview. It continues when we all talk about what we have found, and it continues from there depending on the specifics we uncover in the process. One way, one crucial and urgent way, that this matters is in the way you present yourself to ministers who may consider serving this congregation.

This is a tough year for Search Committees in some ways, because there is much competition – just mathematically it is a tough year, many openings compared to how many ministers are in search. And Search Committees have a hard enough job already. Consider that they work mostly outside the current life of a congregation, working with information from surveys collected in the past. Yet it is the future of the congregation that they must address! By timely participating in the Appreciative Inquiry interviews you improve the odds for the future success of this congregation and for your part in that future.

Your Search Committee will be able to have more informed conversations with their prospects and the odds of a good match increase! Who participates? Everyone who can! Since I am a newcomer here you are all new to me, and I want to hear from you whether you are also new, or a longstanding member who has seen so many seasons in the life of this church. Your voice matters, so it might be wise to use it, and use it now.

Life, in general, and my time here, specifically, is too short to back track. While we are working with the results of the interviews we will not be going back to the starting point. It is a painless interview (many say it is fun!) and does only require 30 minutes of your time. There are 11 interviewers ready to listen, and each has set aside times when they are available. For the most part the interviews happen at the church, but other options are available. If you can’t make it to church, think of something that will work. Scheduling is being coordinated by the office, so please call at your earliest convenience to select a time. It is good to be here!

I’m listening - Reverend Drew

The February 12th Board meeting included reports from our Treasurer, Dan Wiest, as well as Committee reports from Membership Trustee Sally Borden, Worship Trustee Lencha Acker, Social Justice Trustee Alicia Biggers and an RE report from Chair Margaret Wilkie. Sally plans to organize some fun events for our membership. Dan Wiest suggested a DFT movie night and dinner (see the item below in this newsletter). If you have suggestions, please pass them on to Sally. Future Facilities Task Force members Glenn Maxwell and Mary Catherine O’Neall requested approval to enter an application to a 4-day training program sponsored by Partners for Sacred Places, whose main goal is to assist churches in obtaining money and grants to preserve older churches by partnering with entities within their communities. The request was granted. Canvass Committee Chair Alicia Biggers reported that plans for the Canvass are well established. Details are coming soon.
~ Donna Walker, Board Secretary

The new season is starting at the Detroit Film Theater. Anyone interested in getting together for movie nights followed by discussions at area eateries should contact Dan Wiest.

Greetings! The search is on track as we work with Rev. Johnston, Rev. Lisa Pressley of the Heartland District and Rev. Dr. John Weston of the UUA Transitions (Settlement) office. The Committee continues to be excited for our future. Thank you for your support.

Committee
Dr. James Robinson, Chair
Dr. Ivan Cotman
Sharlene Gage
Marilyn Mitchell
Kathe Stevens

Joseph Palazzolo, friend and colleague of Todd Ballou, appears in concert Saturday, March 24th at 8:00 pm at First Congregational Church of Rochester. Creative at programming, Joseph will bring his usual potpourri of styles and historical periods - from English Renaissance to 20th Century Argentinean, Back, Scott Joplin and much more. For more information please call 248-582-3281.

Date	Celebrant	Date	Celebrant
1	Maria Majer	23	Kathy Fitzgerald
3	Larry Hutchison	26	Juanita Fowler
5	Julia Meyer	26	Jim Harvey
7	Gene Perrin, Janet Thompson	29	Lencha Acker
8	Don Dickason, Harold Bailer	31	Janice Berry
13	Dolly Wagner

Church Bulletin Bloopers

(courtesy of Lencha Acker)

• The Peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict
• The fasting and prayer conference includes meals.
• Don't let worry kill you off - let the church help.
• The rector will preach his farewell message after which the choir will sing "Break Forth into Joy".
• The church will host an evening of fine dining, super entertainment and gracious hostility.
• Potluck supper Sunday at 6pm. Prayer and medication to follow.
• Low self-esteem support group will meet Thursday at 7pm. Please use the back door.
• The Associate Minister unveiled the church's new tithing campaign slogan last Sunday - "I upped my pledge - Up Yours".