“Courage on the Emerald Coast”
“We drink from wells we did not dig; we are warmed by fires we did not kindle.” (Deut. 6.11)
In honor of those past whose generosity blesses our lives,
we offer our gifts of time, talent and treasure,
to bless lives around us and to come.
Fellowship members were courageous in 1992, in purchasing a long vacant Mormon Church, our current home at 1295 Bayshore Drive, for $140,000. Then Fellowship members refinanced to fund a $100,000 renovation in 2001. We enjoy this attractive facility today because of the courage and generosity of those who went before.
Only two years after the beautiful renovation, members ambitiously called your first, full-time settled Minister, made possible by savings accumulated with part-time professional ministry.
In the six years of our ministry together, some of our beloved community have died: Susan Porter, the sparkling- eyed artist who directed the beautification of our Fellowship; Fran Boudolf, a poet who embodied Southern kindness; Walter vonRyik who journeyed from Luftwaffa to USAF, a charming survivor; John Horn, gentle father with the entrepreneurial spirit; Roger Harris, a Southern Alabama boy, poor, hard-working and generous; Hall Tennis, artist, dancer, patriot; Gertrude Oakman, strong-willed lover of birds and native plants. Words cannot tell the stories of their lives, nor the gifts of time, talent and treasure they brought to our religious community.
Many wonderful and talented new members have found a home here, succeeding those who have passed. Why, now, does Stewardship encourage us to “step up” our gifts of time, talent and treasures to the Fellowship?
Member mobility! Last year, fifteen members relocated. With the passing of those who have died and those who have left the area, we, newcomers and old, are now the stewards of this thriving Unitarian Universalist presence on the Emerald Coast.
Those who are new reading this list, will only see names. Others know the wonderful people behind these names and their commitment and generosity. In six years, these have moved on: Don and Lynn, Hank, Carrie and John, Max and Jan, Doug, Cliff and Mary Ann, Karen, Guy, Gary, Steve, Carol and Chris, Robert, Gary and Margie and Frank and Rose, Melanie and Evan, Heather, Blake and Lisa and Hannah and Ella, Dora and Russ, Leslie and Rick and Daniel, Mindy and Terry and Dylan and Miranda, Jeanette and Lawton and Molly (our only canine member).
We are now stewards of the UU dream come to life in this religious community. When Jeannette and I offer a 10% reduction in ministerial compensation so as to end the depletion of UUFEC savings, we do not see it as anything more than what many have done in the years before us. As you reflect on your dreams for liberal religious community on the Emerald Coast, we invite you to join all those who have gone before in contributing their time, talents and treasures to this thriving UU Fellowship.
Please join us in “stepping up” as good stewards of this thriving Fellowship. Now is our day.
Blessings!
Rod Debs, Pastor