UUAA Operations Update
From Rev. Manish Mishra-Marzetti, Senior Minister
Dear Members and Friends of UUAA,
I’m writing on behalf of UUAA’s Executive Team to share a handful of operational updates
that may be of interest to our community.
Expanding the Executive Team – Welcome Beth Hospadaruk!
UUAA’s Executive Team is in charge of high-level operational coordination and management. Since this team’s inception, it has included Deb Markum, Administrator, Ed Lynn, Finance Team member, and Rev. Manish Mishra-Marzetti, Senior Minister. In support of having different lay voices and perspectives on the Executive Team, Beth Hospadaruk has joined this team. Beth’s addition will be a temporary expansion of the Exec Team to four members, as we create a gentle on-ramp for our new lay Exec member. For those who don’t know Beth, she is a former UUAA President and former
Stewardship Committee Chair who is intimately familiar with the congregation’s finances and operations. We are fortunate to have Beth on the Exec Team– please join me in extending our community’s gratitude to her.
Staff Portfolio Changes – rev. theresa rohlck and Forrest Hosea
Following consultation with UUAA’s Personnel Working Group and the Board of Trustees, changes in two staff portfolios will go into effect as of Oct. 1. To-date, rev. theresa’s half time position has been split between pastoral care and administrative/logistical support for UUAA’s Sunday services. This administrative support for worship – including coordination with lay leaders and guests, Order of Service preparation, budget management, chancel set-up, worship supplies, and other needs – is important and must happen. However, this work does not need to be staffed by clergy. Starting October 1, rev. theresa’s half-time position will be dedicated to pastoral support for our community, with the intention of deepening UUAA’s pastoral care structures and training/equipping our laity in the leadership of such. In addition, rev. theresa’s current participation in Sunday services will remain unchanged. All the behind-the scenes administrative work in support of worship will shift from rev. theresa to Forrest Hosea, who is on UUAA’s audio-visual staff. In support of this, Forrest has been actively shadowing rev. theresa during the month of September and will begin the new responsibilities as Worship Coordinator on October 1.
Lay Worship Leaders Program – New Cohort and Thank You, Barbara Lynn!
We have a robust new cohort of Lay Worship Leaders, who began meeting monthly in August. Each cohort goes through shared learning and practice as they deepen their understanding of what it takes to meaningfully contribute to UUAA’s Sunday services. Our new cohort includes Forrest Hosea, Barbara Cherem, KT Doud, Preety Gadhoke, Wren Hess, Ben Kasmenn, Mary Jo Larson, Terra Merrill, Elle Parks, Laura Sparrow, Kate Stroud, David Higbee Williams, and CJ Witherow. You’ll be seeing some/many of them in the months ahead, as their readiness for participation in UUAA’s Sunday services increases.
Hand-in-hand, one of our “advanced” lay worship leaders, who has been with the program since its inception, Barbara Lynn, has been partnering closely with me in the management of the Lay Worship Leaders program. This partnership is even deeper now, as Barbara supports the training of our new lay leader cohort. Recognizing these evolving and deeper responsibilities, I am naming Barbara UUAA’s Lead Lay Worship Leader. (Yes, that title is a mouthful! Christian denominations more simply call such senior leaders “deacons.”) Please join me in thanking Barbara for her deep commitment to UUAA’s Sunday services and lay participation within them, as our Lead Lay Worship Leader!
If any of this sparks your interest in becoming a UUAA Lay Worship Leader, or even (over time) a senior/lead Lay Worship Leader, please know that your interest is welcome! Please let Barbara or me know you’re interested in the next cohort, and we’ll keep you informed.
The Ministerial Discretionary Fund Needs You
UUAA’s Ministerial Discretionary Fund (MDF) is used primarily to support congregants in times of need, distress, loss, or hardship. Your generous donations to this fund allow us to bring alive UUAA’s love and care at times when the tangible expression of such, including financial assistance, makes a difference. This fund needs replenishment, and your generous donations will help sustain this good work. Please consider making a special one-time gift to the MDF. You can do so online by going to https://onrealm.org/uuaa/-/form/give/mdf . Check donations can be mailed into the office (4001 Ann Arbor Saline Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103). Please indicate “Ministers Discretionary Fund/MDF” in the memo line of your check. Thank you, in advance, for your generous support of this critical pastoral work.
If you have any questions or feedback, such is always welcome. I can be contacted at manish@uuaa.org, and the Executive Team can be reached at executiveteam@uuaa.org. Thank you for all that you do to help make UUAA such a special community!
With much appreciation and gratitude,
Rev. Manish Mishra-Marzetti, on behalf of UUAA’s Executive Team