Local Unitarian History

presented by Juliana Sandahl, Sept. 14, 2008

Part 2 of 4


History of our Fellowship

For the History of the our Fellowship, I’ll review the places we have met and the contribution of the many members that kept this fellowship going over the years. As a disclaimer, this in no way covers everything that has taken place; rather I am focusing more on the early years. So much has happened in the past 10 years that it would be impossible to cover it all. I would like to highlight the people that have had major roles of leadership. From the records I had stored in my home in boxes, Judith Tenbrook and I have archived the surviving newsletters, Order of Services and other historical documents into folders and binders. They will be downstairs for you to review after the service. If you have in your procession any old documents, photos or memorabilia I invite you to contribute it to our records. Bring it to one of us on the historical committee (Judith, Pam, Don or myself) and we can see if it is one of the records we do not have. The years between 1990 & 2002 are the years we have the least amount of documentation. We especially would like photos. Also I would like to bring your attention to the artwork done by some long ago children of our Fellowship. Perhaps one of you will remember which year it was done. Another item for your attention is that I have put together a timeline of events that have happened in our Fellowship. Please review it and write in or correct any information, making additions wherever you might want. If you would like to write when you started coming to the Fellowship we would like that information as well.

How it all Began

The most often asked question concerning the history is when did it start? The first organizational meetings took place at Pam & Michael Morneault’s home on March 23, at 10 a.m. in 1986. Pam wrote an article for the local newspapers expressing a desire for interested people to meet & discuss the possibility of forming a Unitarian group. I remember being very excited about that since we had lived here since 1974 and I had been an active Unitarian member prior to that in NM.

First organizational meeting ,March 23,1986 at Michael & Pam Morneault’s
One of the First Order's of Service

The first saved Order of Service in our archives is dated May 18, 1986 with Jim Wickman from the PNWD-UUA as celebrant.

First saved Order of Service May 18, 1986—Jim Wickman PNWD, UUA
One of the First Newsletters

The first saved newsletter in our archives is dated Aug. 1986. Further documentation of our existence is stated in a May 87 newsletter written by our first Pres. Joy Edgington. “We have now been meeting continuously for over a year as a prospective UU Fellowship.” She goes on to say “the board has held two meetings. So we know that by May 86 we had started meeting regularly.

Becoming Official

Before we could be affiliated with the UU Ass., we had to have the commitment of a minimum of 20 people willing to sign the Charter, which meant an obligation of time and resources. Furthermore, the Association required that a Fellowship be incorporated as a non-profit organization before applying for membership. It took until June 1987 to accomplish all this and to complete the Articles of Incorporation process. We were fortunate to have the attorney, Tom Reynolds donate his services to our fellow-ship to get us through this. Michael Morneault assisted in writing the preliminary provisions for the By-Laws.

On Oct. 24, 1987 our Fellowship was officially recognized as a congregation. However, it was actually one year prior to that when we met on Oct. 8, 1986 at the White Salmon Grange for the signing of our Charter to start the process.

Here are a couple pictures of that event. from the newsletter of Nov. 1986 “We spent an exciting evening on Oct. 8th at our potluck and celebration. Bruce Clear, Dorothy Bartlett, Genevieve Hoffman, and Betty joined us as we signed to become affiliated with Nat. UUA. Our Fellowship provided a large potluck of delicious, unusual dishes, and we had a great chance to spend time getting to know each other better. Bruce Clear gave an excellent presentation on the history and philosophy of Unitarian Univeralism.

Suzanne Swanell, Juliana Sandahl, Miriam Lane,
Joy Edgington, Pam Tindall, - -, - -, Laurie Cross, Betty Gerald (Eastrose)

Michael Morneault & Dorothy Bartlett, Ext. Committee, PNWD

Dorothy Bartlett presented us with a cloth banner which we can design for our group, plus she brought a box of song books given by the Mt. Hood area Council of UUA which will be very useful during our services.

(Much credit should be given to Pam M. and Joy Edgington who brought us along these first two years to get us organized for our charter night. Many letters are on file that show the active correspondence they did in arranging for the people such as, Dorothy Bartlett of PNWD and Bruce Clear, minister of the Vancouver church, Michael Servetus, for their visits to assist our congregation.)

Meeting at Ranier Bank

Up through June 1988, we met twice a month in the basement of Rainier Bank, now Sterling Bank in White Salmon, WA. Monthly discus- sions and potlucks were held on the last Wed. of the month there also. For example, Andy Cross led a discussion on El Salvador and the sanctuary movement.

First Elected Officers

The first officers and Committee Members were Elected Feb. 15, 1987. They were: 

President: Joy Edgington
Vice Pres.: Michael Morneault
Treasurer: Suzanne Swanell
Secretary: Juliana Sandahl
Committees:
Worship Service: Suzanne Swanell
Hospitality: Juliana Sandahl
Publicity: Marilyn Smith
RE: Miriam Lane and Pam Mourneault

Unfortunately Pres. Joy Edgington submitted her resignation on July 87 because of her move. She stayed on through the summer and Michael Morneault took over as President in the Fall of 1987 The early communications for the fellowship were done by Pam Morneault and by Aug. 86 Laurie Cross began publishing a monthly newsletter until Mar 87 when Marilyn Smith began her long reign as publisher.

Pam M. has provided us with these photos of one service that took place at the Rainier Bank building.

Tina Castanares, Children Story Time

Maureen, Coleen & Gary Regalbuto, Tina Castanares, Laurie Cross, & Sally Hons

continue with Part 3 of 4