No doubt, the most inspiring event this month was the Sunday we welcomed our new members. It was a clear reminder of how our principles of inclusiveness and respect are reaching people in the community, and I am glad to be a part of it. Thanks to everybody who participated, and a special thanks to Susan Maybin and the Membership Committee for putting it all together, and for their work every Sunday to make sure everybody feels welcome.
Another, though somewhat less monumental event last month, was the successful launch of a weather satellite (GOES-R) from Cape Canaveral. This weather satellite is notable because I have been part of the team designing and building it for the last 15 years. However, the success of the launch itself isn’t why I mention it, rather, I mention it because of something that I hadn’t expected. I told Keith Dalbec that I might have to move the November Board meeting because it would conflict with the launch. Not long after I told him, Hurricane Matthew made landfall around Cape Canaveral. The Kennedy Space Center is prepared for hurricanes, so everything was fine with the satellite, but there was a two-week launch delay.
So, the Board meeting was saved! But this story isn’t about the Board meeting. Word got out around UUFH that I was a part of the design team for this satellite, and the Weather Channel did a few segments on the satellite and even broadcast the launch. I was floored with how many people in the congregation watched the launch and shared with me their experience and congratulations. It made me feel like I was part of a family, rather than a congregation. Thank you. (For the record, I get along with my family, so that’s a compliment!)
See you next year.
—Joe Criscione, President