Future of UUFD
UUFD Looks Toward Future
August, 2015
UUFD President, Frank O'Barsky
Hello, my name is Frank O’Barski. As many of you know, I have been given the honor and responsibility to serve as your Board of Trustees President for July 2015 through June 2016. At the end of that term, I will become the Board Past President, and my colleague, President Elect William Lamb, will take over as Board President. My term reminds me of the old curse, “May you live in interesting times.” But I don’t see it as a curse, really. I do see it as challenging, as are all periods of change, but also hopeful. I did not start coming to UUFD looking for a church. But what I did find was a community of truly wonderful, decent people, all struggling to find the best way to be in the world. I was welcomed into this community. My wife Suzanne Willis and I are both grateful for the kindness and support we have received in good times and bad. I am going through personal change, and my cancer sometimes makes me wonder if I will even be able to complete my remaining two years’ responsibility to you all. But life is always uncertain. We do not stop accepting responsibilities merely because tomorrow we might die of something, expected or unexpected. And when I look around at the dedicated people who volunteer and work to make this humble congregation a success, I am filled with the same hope I see in people when they are at their best.
We are facing a critical juncture in the life of UUFD. We are at the most difficult size for any church congregation, with fewer than 90 members. Our long term minister, Rev. Linda Slabon, will be retiring in two years. I don’t know if those who are not involved in the leadership of UUFD are aware of just how important she has been. Nor are they likely aware of how many things she has done to help keep us on track. When Rev. Linda steps down, we will also lose the bonus we have enjoyed during her tenure in having her spouse, Toni Tollerud, running our music program. This double blow will be difficult to make up. I and your Board will be seeking candidates to help us with a transition team to take us into the future, undiscovered country without these two devoted friends of UUFD. There are also serious and worrisome financial issues, and I and your Board will be looking for help from you, the members of UUFD, to find ways to build a “rainy day” reserve, fund our planned improvements to the Religious Education space and hopefully build the dreamed-of professional kitchen. I am very easy to talk to in coffee hour, and I know I and the rest of your Board will gladly listen to your suggestions and offers to volunteer (and give money) to keep this community we all love a success.
