Board Message – September 2025
Greetings, MDUUC Community, and welcome to the start of the 2025-2026 church year!
We hope you have had some fun this summer, some rest and respite. We know some have gone on big trips outside the country and others may have been able to chill close to home. Many of you were part of the summer Community Circles - much gratitude to those who facilitated and those who participated in our ongoing programming - along with those who continue to show up for the many of the activities of witness and solidarity, addressing some of the challenging situations that are impacting our neighbors and our nation. We have also welcomed many new people through our doors over these last couple of months. People seeking support, refuge from the political angst, families wanting value-centered education for their children. Please make a point to introduce yourself to a newcomer, welcome them into community and ask, “what would you like to find here?”
We must give a huge shout out for our food pantry, as one of the many ways we can lean in and support others in our community. The pantry is just inside the doors to the kitchen (from Bortin Hall). Please accept the invitation to take what you need – no questions asked. And please accept the invitation to contribute as you are able. If you are not sure what to bring, look at the shelves and see what is there but there is also a description in the weekly mailer that Rev. Rodney sends out. This is one of the ways we can provide true support in real time to those who need it.
We are sad to say goodbye to former Intern Minister, Rose Reidel. We will miss her warm smile, her calm presence and her many teachings, from the pulpit to meditations, and how to support the unhoused community, through the sandwich builds. She has been such a vibrant member of the MDUUC community. We hope you have been able to engage with Rose in her time here, We wish her and her family safe travel, crossing the country, to begin her ministry in a UU church in northern Michigan.
As we say goodbye to Rose, we are excited to welcome our 2025- 2026 intern minister, Aiden McMahon, who will be starting with us on September 1. Our ability to continue to have intern ministers, at a time when many are not interested in parish ministry, is made possible through the generosity of our dear late member, Sonja Christopher, and the quality of mentorship offered by Rev. Leslie and Rev. Rodney. Please extend a warm welcome to Aiden as he moves into this new role.
Bid4 Love – November 8 – 4:00 PM
This is our biggest annual fundraiser. Over the next few weeks, you will receive more information on how you can contribute items, events, teaching, trips, or something else that you would like to offer. If you have questions, please feel free to ask a Board member, a member of the ministerial staff, Church Administrator Jen Marsh or member and former Board Treasurer, Sharon Solstice. This event is not only a lovely evening with entertainment and fellowship, it is a fun way to make money for the church.
In Faith and Gratitude,
Linda Russell
President, MDUUC Board of Trustees