First let me say how much I enjoyed my first year on the Board of Trustees under the highly capable leadership of Fred Fisk. Fred’s skills in developing an atmosphere of cohesiveness and congeniality will be missed; so too will Fred’s biweekly column in our newsletter. Thanks to Fred for carrying forward the high standard set by May Memorial’s distinguished list of past presidents.

To the retired board members, I would like to express my appreciation for your valuable contributions and your patience in leading the newer members to a fuller understanding of the governance structure and the democratic nature of our society. Your wisdom and guidance at our monthly meetings will be missed. I would hope that in times of indecision we might continue to call on you for advice and counsel.

To those members who have joined me on the board this year, I look forward to working with all of you to carry forward the mission and visions laid out for us by our predecessors and working with the newly commissioned Mission Vision committee as they carry forward the work of last year’s Mission Vision Planning Task Group.

Doris Sage and I were given the opportunity to attend the 2008 UU Leadership Training Institute at Juniata College in Huntingdon, Pa. Spending seven days with UU’s from several states was a fascinating and rewarding experience. We sang together, worshipped together, learned together, and grieved together.

Every day at 8 a.m., a half hour worship service centered us in preparation for the full day ahead. Each day, one of our leaders provided an update on the tragedy in Knoxville and on Wednesday morning we all participated in a memorial service for the Knoxville victims. This moving service did not heal our pain but it served to bring us closer together in solidarity with the Knoxville congregation. There were many opportunities to learn, discuss, ask questions and find some answers. As I begin my term as President of your Society, I’m sure that many of the insights I gained from this experience will prove helpful as the year progresses.

As I write this article for the September newsletter, I am looking forward to the annual Board of Trustees Retreat. This annual event has traditionally served as the venue where short term goals for the coming church year are explored and previous goals examined. In future issues I hope to use this space to share with you the goals we have initiated and report on our progress in reaching them.

In closing, I would like to share a quote from our UUA President, Reverend William Sinkford, which appeared in an advertisement in the New York Times shortly after the Knoxville tragedy.

Unitarian Universalists everywhere have rededicated themselves to our religious mission: to welcome the stranger, to love our neighbor, to work for justice, to nurture the spirits of all who seek a liberal religious home, and to help heal this wounded world.

May we rededicate ourselves to fulfilling our religious mission.

~ Yours in faith,

Joyce Leonard, President