I have just returned home from Judith’s service, entitled “Sweet Surrender,” and I have been pre-writing this piece in my mind for the last couple of days. Pat, my wife, encouraged me to perhaps capture something from today’s service that might inspire this monthly Beacon article.

I have to tell you that the past couple of weeks have involved some handwringing and anxiety on my part. We desperately needed some folks to step up on the Pledge Drive effort and the Visibility Task Force. I have been wondering what was going to happen if we didn’t rise to the occasion.

Well, at our first Visibility Task Force meeting several folks stepped up to accept the challenge of meeting the goals of the Long-range Plan on communications. A great deal of energy and excitement was generated as they surrendered to the task of letting the greater community know what we stand for and increasing our internal awareness by improving communications within the congregation.

Then about ten members showed up to explore our annual grapple with raising money. Grapple is not a good word but many see it that way. This group, however, is not about grappling but enjoying the prospects of how to help folks sweetly surrender to the joy of giving that keeps this wonderful community of religious liberals moving on. As many found joy in supporting the elevator and solar projects, this team wants to make our annual support drive an opportunity to continue to spread the joy of UUFH.

By the time this is published you will see the result of our efforts to use the sustainable energy of the sun to help drive our beautiful blue boat home. What a well-timed project, following on the Pope’s visit and his message on the environment and the consternation caused by the Duke Energy plan to stick with fossil fuels and build an enormous system of transmission lines through our beautiful mountains and valleys.

To sweeten the surrender, a generous gift of stock from Pat Wakeley will provide funds to support the endowment and church operations, as well as a designated amount to support the Visibility Task Force in getting our message out. While Pat’s gift was considerable, she truly feels she has been lucky and can’t take credit for that. The gift of the “Widow’s Mite” is far more worthy in her mind.

So we move on with a big heart. Our Minister, Jim, is recovering beautifully, and our Sabbatical Team is doing a great job along with our Ministerial team of Judy, Michael, and Sally Beth. Let’s put down our stones and be grateful for a beautiful autumn in the mountains and our thriving congregation.

Keith Dalbec,
President