BOARD MESSAGE – DECEMBER 2025

Greetings, Members and Friends! 

First, we would like to extend much appreciation for all the Bid4Love contributions! Those of you who attended the November Forum heard from Sharon Solstice that we took in, up to the time of the Forum, approximately $52,000, with the Big Ask (for air conditioning for the Gilmartin Building) bringing in approximately $18,000. A special thank you to Suzanne Lofquist who will contribute more to help close the gap of the funds needed for that project. At a time when many are experiencing financial challenges, we truly appreciate people showing up, bringing fellowship to Bortin Hall, and contributing to make this a very successful event. This is what connection looks like – coming together to create an event that benefits the larger community. 

Please thank the members of the Bid4Love team for making this event happen! The full list of those who helped is in the Hats Off section in this edition of the Beacon. It is a long list of outstanding volunteers! 

At MDUUC, we talk a lot about mutual aid, but do we actually stop to think of what that means and how valuable it is? Mutual aid is defined as: “an organizational model where voluntary, collaborative exchanges of resources and services for common benefit take place amongst community members to overcome social, economic, and political barriers to meeting common needs.” (Wikipedia) 

We don’t just “pool” our resources. We ARE the resources — from providing rides to people who want to come to church, or go to a doctor’s appointment, or the grocery store, picking up medicine for someone who is not able to get out, bringing food for the MDUUC pantry or delivering holiday meals and so many more ways we can support each other. 

Mutual aid is radical hospitality. These are the lessons regularly taught at MDUUC, throughout the service and expressed in the wider community, when we show up. The holidays offer many ways to give but generosity is a year-round endeavor. Please check out the weekly emails with many ways to contribute. 

As we move deeper into this year, consider how you can engage in ways that reflect your values. As we consider a new name for MDUUC, let’s think about how our values are reflected in the name we call ourselves. 

Safe and healthy holidays! 

In Faith and Gratitude, 

Linda Russell, President

2025-2026 MDUUC Board of Trustees