President’s Report: April 15, 2009
I would like to report to you on the progress of the Canvass that we began
two weeks ago. We are halfway to our goal and that goal includes the
funds needed to hire a part-time minister for next year. So, if you have not
been able to respond to the pledge requests, now would be a wonderful
time to return your pledge sheet with either a pledge amount or a request
to meet with a canvasser to discuss your pledge.
We had five strong applicants for the ministerial position but one dropped
out because she took a position elsewhere. The time is coming when these
fine people have to make their own decisions about their futures. So, it is now up to all of us to
act as a community to achieve our objectives. Once our financial destination has been reached,
we will then move into the decision making phase. While the Board has been charged by you to
make the final decision, we would like to have your input. We will be holding a Congregation
Conversation in early May to go over the candidates. You will have heard most of them speak to
us by then and we will summarize their resumes. Your voices will be heard and we hope to reach
some sort of consensus or at least a strong direction. Thank you all for your involvement as both
as congregational members and as friends.
Bob Rougvie, President
Posted by Bob Rougvie, UUCiA President on April 16th, 2009
The Rev. Lara Hoke is a graduate of Cornell University and the
Harvard Divinity School. She is a US Navy veteran and has worked with youth
groups in the central Massachusetts area. She has worked as a hospital chaplain and
as a minister of a UU congregation in the Worcester area. She writes a blog called