UU History of the Areapresented by Juliana Sandahl, Sept. 14, 2008Part 4 of 4History of our Fellowship ... continuedWaucoma SchoolOur time at Waucoma School is not well documented. The newsletters were not as regular and there is hardly any mention of organizational issues. There were interesting programs, such as Rev. Tim Haley from Portland and Lila Forest on Spiritual singing and movement. Tom Hons played the major role of keeping us together at this point. Also Chandra Radiance and David Rath became quite active with our Fellowship and had several gatherings, such as the Easter Sunday Celebration and Easter Egg hunt on their Dee Hwy place along the river. By 1994, because of low attendance, it was decided to meet only the first Sunday of every month and by early 1995 the Fellowship quit meeting entirely for the second half of the year.  Waucoma School March 1992-early 1995 White Salmon GrangeDuring this time, I volunteered to store the supplies of our Fellowship and fill in as acting President until we got reorganized. On April 13, 1995 I called for a general meeting, held in my home and attended by Tom Hons, Miriam & Chuck Lane, Kevin Hickerson and David Rath and myself. It was decided to pay our annual district and national dues, order a Church-on-Loan program to provide sermons for services and to try to secure the W.S. Grange (Skyline) for a meeting place. We began meeting there in the Fall of 1995 and stayed there for the next three years.  Mountain View Grange 1995-1997 Although we had only on average 10-12 people for services, we began to add newcomers on a regular basis. Susan Froehlich in 94, Ken Mc Carty in 94, Tom Penchoen in 95 & Bruce Bolme in 95. Elvida & Peter Frothingham returned and all these people contributed much to the Fellowship’s rejuvenation. Susan did the newsletter for a year until she returned to school. I did the newsletter for a year and then Peter Frothingham took over the job.  Newsletter Calendar of Events, Dec 1995  Christmas Party, 1996 Pam & Michael Morneault’s home During this three-year period we had not only canned sermons, but some very good guest speakers, such as Sallirae Hendrson, Counselor at Willamette View Retirement Center who presented a program on the issues of aging and dying. We also held monthly potlucks in people’s homes to become better acquainted with one another. By 1998, Tom Penchoen, had finished remodeling his house and was ready to take the leadership responsibilities as our President. The Former Art GalleryUnder Tom Penchoen’s leadership, we began meeting at the former Art Gallery on 2nd street what is not the NW Ecology Institute by the Police Station.  Old Art Gallery – 1998-2001 The fellowship began to pick up momentum again and it was decided to begin meeting during the summers so as not to loose our continuity. We continued to welcome new additions to our Fellowship--JoAnn & Denny Harris and Debbie Olsen in 1999. JoAnn coordinated the first MCUUF Relay for Life Team and also helped start the woman’s group. Debbie also became very active in Fellowship activities. Evensong ProgramBy Feb 2000, we started an Adult RE program. Approximately 18 members and friends signed up for this program, Evensong, and all felt it was beneficial in establishing a spiritual bonding within our Fellowship.  Evening Study Group at Riverside Church, Feb. 2000 Other positive developments during Tom’s leadership were the rewriting of the by-laws, developing a yearly membership roster & communicating Fellowship news by e-mail. Unfortunately I do not have in the archives any newsletters, order of service programs or board meeting minutes for those years. Several more of our current members were now coming to our Fellowship—Paul Blackburn & Kristen Dillon & Cythnia Horton in 2000 and Theresa North & Rod Krehbiel in 2001. Brookside ManorWe moved to Brookside Manor in 2002 and had more room for the children.  Brookside Manor, 2002 Theresa North and Rod Krehbiel took a very active role in organizing our Fellowship group singing at the several retirement homes in the area after church. Rev. Marilyn Sewell’s sermons were one of our favorites used for services, but we had many interesting lay-led services as well, such as the Sahmain pagan celebration honoring our ancestors, led by Bruce Bolme. New attendees to our fellowship were Martha and Joe Usatine. Old American Legion HallWe outgrew Brookside Manor and about 2003 we moved to the old American Legion Hall which is now the remodeled Columbia Art Gallery.  Former American Legion Building, 2003, 2004 The newsletters were being done by e-mail and I do not have a lot of documentation during this time period. We participated in a fundraising event called “Ground Zero to Common Ground,” an interfaith educational event commemorating 9-11. Other activities included Cynthia Horton leading a history course on the Unitarian movement. Tom Penchoen’s tenure as President was one of the longest held by anyone, from 1998-2004. Cynthia Horton took over the duties with Bruce Bolme acting as Vice/Co-President in 2004. Down ManorWe began meeting at Down Manor by 2005.  Down Manor, 2005 We had our first Administrative Assistant, Tamara Thiel and we began having a newsletter mailed once again as well as regular Order of Service programs printed. A Membership Brunch was held to determine the needs of the fellowship with a consensus to start a building fund and Finance Committee to explore the options of buying our own place. For the first time in our existence, weekly services began in July 2005. On March 13, Tom Penchoen gave a service on “UU’s and the Institution of Marriage”, as a topical subject on the day when Don & Trish Hardin celebrated their marriage. Paul Blackburn officiated at the home of Shelley & Ray and Kevin was the ring bearer.  Don & Trish Hardin marriage ceremony March 13, 2005 There were many other notable events during the year, but time does not permit an accounting of these last few busy years. I would like to mention that we welcomed two new members, Jodi Holmberg & Jean Puddefoot in 2005. Also we had our first Elders Honoring Ceremony with 7 members honored on that day. Center for LivingThe Center of Living was our home for over a year and a half.  Center for Living Nov 2005-Aug 2007 Cynthia continued her presidency for another year and Kristen Dillon became our Vice President. A few highlights from that time era was our retreat to Brooks Memorial Park in 2005 and passing our Vision Statement which reads: “The mission of Mid-Columbia Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is to nurture individual spiritual belief and growth within a welcoming community.” Don Hardin started a new Adult RE class called Spirituality in Everyday Life. Sarah Starr became RE coordinator. The by-laws were also updated during this time. Kristen Dillon took over as President on July 2006. Under Kristen’s leadership, we became a welcoming congregation. She put a lot of effort into teaching the classes to make that happen. We began hiring part-time ministers, having a choir, under the direction of Jodi Holmberg. We continued the summer retreats, passed a five year growth plan and a Covenant of Right Relations with ourselves and our Fellowship. Rockford Grange Rockford Grange Aug 2007-Current This brings us to our current building where we started in Aug. 2007. The Center of Living agreement had been for a temporary status and after we were there for almost two years it was time to find a new home. Kristen Dillon’s presidency continued to build growth within the Fellowship. So much happened on her tenure it is hard to list them all. One major development, she brought back from General Assembly was with a growing congregation, was the need for more small groups within the congregation. Small group ministries were started which facilitates member integration. The last two years have been more active with participation of many members of the congregation that it is impossible to acknowledge everyone’s contribution: Here are but a few
Thanks to our LeadersElection of officers April 2008 moved Scott Clements up to President. I see the Fellowship further developing and remaining a vibrant group under his leadership. I’d like to recognize our leaders over the years. Each group of leadership has brought their special talents and leadership styles to our Fellowship and we are grateful for all that have kept us together. It is a position that needs to be taken on by new people so that burn out does not occur. Thanks to the many members that have done this important work for our Fellowship. Presidents & Acting Presidents 1987 Joy Edgington 1987 Michael Morneault 1988 Marilyn Smith 1989 Maureen Regalbuto 1991 Nathan Frye/Jim Buckwalter 1992 Tom Hons (acting) 1995 Juliana Sandahl (acting) 1998 Tom Penchoen 2004 Cynthia Horton 2006 Kristen Dillon 2008 Scott Clements And More Thank-you'sNot only do I want to recognize past presidents, but in my humble opinion, the second most important position is the newsletter editor or what we now have, is Administrator. Without the communication needed to get the word out, we would not have people showing up for service. This is a very big job and many, many thanks to those who have stepped up to do it.
Pam Morneault-early communications 1986 Laurie Cross 1987 Marilyn Smith 1989 Tina Castanaras/Linda Short 1990 Marilyn Smith 1991 Joan Chantler 1995 Susan Froehlich 1997 Juliana Sandahl 1998 Peter Frothingham 1999 Tom Penchoen 2005 Tamara Thiel, Administer 2006 Don Hardin, Administer In ConclusionThis concludes the History program today. As Historian for the Fellowship, please know this is an ongoing process and your contributions to the knowledge and archives of past fellowship activities will be greatly appreciated. Thank you,
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