This year is getting off to a magical start. I am behind the times already but running fast to catch up.

I want to report to you about all the decisions that the Board has made that affect all of you. We have had some great meetings and arrived at some decisions that we need to communicate to all of you. I must admit that it is somewhat intimidating to try to communicate to you what we have been up to but let’s give it a try.

On the first meeting of this new Board, in July 2016, we were presented with a request from the Social Justice and Action (SJ&A) Committee with a request to support the buying and displaying of a “Black Lives Matter” banner at the Fellowship. This banner is produced and supported by the Unitarian Universalist Association and supports the mission of the “Black Lives Matter” movement.

I, a retired Deputy Sheriff of 27 years, had some questions about this process. I very soon saw the error in saying “All Lives Matter.” Yes they do but that is not the point of “Black Lives Matter.” We need to focus on the issue of the institutionalizing of the racial bias against black individuals.

“Black Lives Matter” highlights the fact that we do not relate to “Black” Americans like we do to “White” Americans. There is a difference. We voted to approve this banner and I heartily endorse this process!

What we did not do was say that there should be an educational process to inform the Fellowship about the process. This is in the works and you should expect to hear from the SJ&A Committee about the process.

The next important issue we dealt with at the next meeting was the Thanksgiving Dinner. Delores Nims writes:

“Historically, the Thanksgiving Dinner at RVUUF has been a private affair for members and their guests coordinated by Jan Waitt. In the spirit of our new mission to ‘embrace diversity, empower connection and engage in the work,’ we have had discussions with Jan Waitt and Leigh Madison, director of the Ashland Resource Center that serves the homeless. This program is supported by the Board and the SJ&A Committee. It has been agreed that congregants, if they wish, may invite a homeless individual or family to RVUUF’s Thanksgiving Dinner. We all will have to make sure that we contribute enough food to accommodate everyone. This is an opportunity to demonstrate compassion and kindness. If you are interested in hosting a homeless person or family, please contact Delores Nims at deloresashland@yahoo.com or 541-621-2995. She will coordinate with Leigh Madson to match you with your guest. You will have the opportunity to meet with them before the dinner so both host and guest will have a more personal and comfortable relationship. This host/guest program is an experiment and will be evaluated in December. It is hoped that this is a very satisfying experience for all involved similar to volunteering at the Food Bank.”

I salute Jan Waitt and Delores Nims for a very positive action that brings the Homeless issue to reality with compassion. It is imperative that we act on what we believe. We can say anything but the reality is in the action! Let’s all of us get behind this process and make it work!

The third major decision we worked on was a request to study the possibility of car camping for the homeless. The SJ&A Committee requested we support the study to see if it is feasible to create such a thing. There are many options to include setting aside spaces at RVUUF for car camping for the homeless to supporting a greater community effort to help the homeless in their cars. It is not an easy issue but it does deserve our attention. There are families with children in Ashland that have no place to go but to their vehicles. Do we have a responsibility to help? If not, why not? We voted to support this study!

Consider these in your heads and hearts and let me know what you feel is the right thing to do.

Our Mission:

Embrace Diversity,
Empower Connection,
Engage in the Work.

In Community,
Jim Meckel